PlaneFox tracks 3 Hiller UH-12 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Hiller UH-12 flies about 178 nm, roughly 330 km, which is about 2 h 17 min in still air at typical cruise.
A Hiller UH-12 costs about EUR 4,750 a month to run, or about EUR 380 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Hiller UH-12 is a light piston helicopter built by Hiller Aircraft in the United States. The type traces its origin to the Hiller Model 360, with the UH-12 line entering production after its late 1940s development and remaining in manufacture through the mid 1960s. It served civil operators in training, patrol, agricultural, utility and observation roles, and it is closely associated with the U.S. military OH-23 Raven designation. For buyers, the Hiller UH-12 matters as an early, proven light helicopter with simple systems, broad historical use and a distinct place in the piston helicopter market.
Performance varies by variant, engine installation and equipment fit. Typical UH-12 cruise figures are in the low 70 knot range, with published ranges commonly around 170 to 200 nautical miles for later models. Service ceiling figures for the family are generally around 13,000 feet, depending on model and loading. Early UH-12 versions used Franklin piston engines, including 200 hp class installations, while later and military-related versions used Lycoming opposed piston engines, including VO-435 and VO-540 family powerplants. Useful load is variant-dependent, so buyers should rely on the individual aircraft weight and balance report rather than generic figures.
The UH-12 has a compact cabin with excellent visibility from its rounded cockpit glazing. Seating depends on the version, with many civil UH-12 examples arranged for two or three occupants, while later UH-12E and related variants are commonly associated with a three-seat cabin. The aircraft is a visual, hands-on helicopter rather than a modern integrated avionics platform. Typical panels are analog, often upgraded over time with modern VHF communication radios, transponders, ADS-B equipment and basic GPS units. Integrated suites such as Garmin G1000 or Garmin Perspective are not typical installations for the Hiller UH-12.
Used Hiller UH-12 aircraft are best evaluated as vintage piston helicopters with specialist maintenance needs. Important review items include complete logbooks, airframe total time, engine time since overhaul, rotor blade status, transmission and drive component history, tail rotor condition, corrosion, fuel system condition and compliance with applicable airworthiness directives. Common variants on the market include UH-12A, UH-12B, UH-12C, UH-12D and UH-12E aircraft, with value influenced by engine type, parts support, recent inspections, avionics updates and originality. Market positioning is typically below modern turbine helicopters, but ownership cost depends heavily on component life, parts availability and access to Hiller-experienced maintenance providers.