EAA Sport Aviation - September 2010

Ben could perform multiple checklists with each flight. Test
flights lasted about an hour, and everything worked as adver-
tised. “In comparing it to my RV- 6, the RV- 12 is definitely lighter
and bounces around a little more in the wind, but it is hardly
noticeable,” Ben said. “The RV- 12 doesn’t have the forward accel-
eration that its big brother does, but it is just as quick with its
ailerons and will turn on a dime.”
With an empty weight of 750 pounds and a gross weight of
1,320 pounds, the RV- 12 cruises at 120 knots, lands with full flaps
at 35 knots, and burns 5 gallons per hour. “Seems like a pretty
economical way to fly, if you ask me,” Ben said.

With the first five hours in the books and the test flying out of the way, Ben switched seats and rode with Jim for his five-hour fly-off in the RV-1 2. With both of them now qualified in the RV- 12 and enjoying the fruits of their labors, one question remained: What does the flying future hold for them?

“Although flying gives me relaxation and enjoyment, I always
have the itch to build,” Jim said. “Although it’s not official, I may
be into another project soon with a fellow EAA chapter member.
The only other problem I have is choosing what airplane to fly
on what day!”
Looking forward, Ben has family in mind. “I am tickled to
death that at my age I am flying an airplane that I helped con-
struct,” he said. “Although the RV- 12 is my first and last airplane
that I built, it will nonetheless become a pass-down airplane for
my son so he can carry on the spirit of flight when I can no longer
fly.”

Jim Busha, EAA 119684, is an avid pilot and longtime contributor to EAA publications. He is the editor of Warbirds magazine and the owner of a 1943

Aeronca L- 3. To learn more about Jim and Ben’s RV- 12 building experience, and get a link to February’s article on aircraft partnerships, visit www.SportAviation.org.

AIRCRAFT DATA

AIRCRAFT MAKE & MODEL: Van’s RV- 12
N-NUMBER: N126BJ
CERTIFICATION: E-LSA

LENGTH: 19 feet, 11 inches WINGSPAN: 26 feet, 9 inches

MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT: 1,320 pounds
EMPTY WEIGHT: 740 pounds
FUEL CAPACITY: 20 gallons (usable)
SEATS: 2

POWERPLANT MAKE & MODEL: Rotax 912 ULS
HORSEPOWER: 100
PROPELLER: Sensenich
CRUISE SPEED/FUEL CONSUMPTION: 131 mph/5 gph
POWER LOADING: 13. 2 pounds/hp
WING LOADING: 10. 4 pounds/square foot