recent e-mail's received on
                                   
First Flights
        
As of February 03, 2012 7,594 RV aircraft have been
                                           completed and flown!
                                             Listed by Model
                                             
RV-3           274
                                              RV-4         1344
                                              RV-6/6A    2461
                                              RV-7/7A    1154
                                              RV-8/8A    1101
                                              RV-9/9A      720
                                              RV-10         387
                                              RV-12         153 


You will sometimes see the numbers of flying RVs on this list rise
without a corresponding number of first flight reports from builders. Why?

Well, we learn of flying RVs in many different ways. Ideally, a builder will email us with a photo of his or her personal "RV grin". Sometimes, they call on the phone, which is great, but doesn't provide us with anything to publish on this web page. Sometimes, we find out incidentally; for example, when a customer calls to order new tires, and we wonder why someone who is still building (so far as we know) would need them. Or we may discover a first flight announcement on an RV web forum. On other occasions, we learn of a new batch of flying RVs from "RV factories" overseas, but without individual details.

We'd like to see more RV grins here, so send in the pictures of your new "baby", or we may never know of your success. Click the link below for how to do it.

Submitting First Flight Reports

        
   

page 1 of 3

      ******************************************************


From: Mike Rhodes 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First Flight report
Date sent: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 

Don London’s RV-8A N468DL First Flight Report
                                                                               By Mike Rhodes

Saturday Jan. 28th, 2012 shown bright, clear and calm in the afternoon, making it a perfect day for flying.

Finally weather came together to make the first flight on Don London’s RV-8A at Scappoose, OR. 
This is Don’s 3rd RV build, starting with one of the early RV-4’s; RV-6A and this, his RV-8A. Unfortunately for Don, he lost his FAA medical during the build period. When a friend suggested I do the flight testing, (I fly an RV-9A) I worked out the details with Don, which brought us to today.

The airplane is equipped with Lyc IO-360 and Hartzel prop. Dynon D-10A EFIS, AFS EMS, Honeywell KMD 150 GPS, DigiTrack wing leveler.

The one unusual aspect of Don’s -8A is a Swiss muffler system. The effectiveness of this will be evaluated as part of test program. Ground observers thought the airplane sounded noticeably quieter than other RV’s, but we will be taking actual decibel readings at some point.
Take off acceleration was brisk and the airplane lifted off predictably. Full throttle for engine break-in at 3500 ft, 2500 RPM, no wheel pants, indicated airspeed was 175 mph! I also noticed a distinct lack of cockpit floor vibration, which is noticeable in other RV’s I’ve flown in. It would clearly seem related to the exhaust system mufflers, which in this installation doesn’t permit the pressure pulses under the cockpit floor. The airplane is in perfect rig, no tendency to roll with neutral trim and the ball is perfectly centered.

No flap stall occurred at 70 mph IAS and full flap stall at 65 mph IAS. Stalls are clean and reasonable “warning” just before the break.

I flew downwind at 100 mph and final at 85 mph with full flaps, maintained about 1500 RPM to flair, pulled throttle back a little more and let her settle to the runway with a kiss of the wheels. It was PERFECT!!

Which airplane a person prefers really does depend on your mission, and the handling differences between the -8/A (I assume also the -7/A), are quite dramatic when compared to the -9A. 
Which do I prefer? I LOVE THEM BOTH!!



              

                           First flight video from Saturday.  
               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoaUtbl9qSA

      Mike Rhodes 
      [ rv9av8tr at hotmail.com ]

      ******************************************************


Date sent: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 
From: Ted Amox 
Subject: 91063 first flight
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com

I am happy to report the first flight of RV-9A, 91063 happened on Jan.29, 2012.  

Seven years of on and off again building paid off, flown by experienced test pilot and reported no problems whatsoever, flew great!

Powered by Lycoming 160 hp, Hartzell constant speed prop, Dynon D180, Ifly Adventure GPS, and assorted backup steam guages. 

Thanks for a great product!! 
Ted Amox
[ alandsurveyor2000 at yahoo.com ]


      ******************************************************


From: Jay Jabour
Subject: RV-7 
Date sent: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 

I recently flew first flight on my RV-7. 

Thanks,
Jay Jabour
Builder 73604
RV-7 Tail Number N22WJ
[ Jay.Jabour at NGC.com ]


      ******************************************************


Date sent: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 
Subject: Photo of RV-8
From: Jinny Cable

RV-8 belongs to Clyde Cable. 

N813CC total time as of 1/25/12 82 hrs.
Ordered tail kit 6/1/10. Received air worthiness 11/23/10. 
First flight 12/8/10.

Thanks for a great airplane!

          

          Clyde Cable
         [ jinnycable2 at gmail.com ]


      ******************************************************


Date sent: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 
From: Philip Cowan 
Subject: RV-9A 90235

First flight was today, 1/26/12 for kit 90235-RV-9A. All went well. Good takeoff and I greased the landing. My buddy was amazed and so was I. 

Philip Cowan
[ philc at centurylink.net ]


      ******************************************************


From: Charlie Douma 
Subject: RV-8 First flight 
Date phoned in: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 

Charlie Douma, of Brampton, Ontario Canada recently completed and flew his RV-8, #83077. 

His grandson made the second flight. Powered by an AeroSport IO-375
turning an MT 3- blade, the airplane weighs 1079 lbs.

This is Charlie's seventh completed airplane, six of them RVs.

      ******************************************************


From: Jerry Homsley 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First flight of N911WH
Date sent: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 

The stars were finally in alignment for first flight of my RV-9A on Christmas Eve....it was just as much fun as everyone had said it would be. N911WH left Vans in a box on Sept 11, 2001, yes...the day the twin towers fell, thus the inspiration for the tail number.

She flies in honor of those who lost their lives that day. She sports a balanced 160 hp Lycoming with a Catto 3-Blade, and she is both smooooth and faaaast. Tops out at 194 mph at 2700 RPM. My carbon fiber panel holds a MGL Enigma EFIS and a TruTrack autopilot among other goodies. And I love my interior by Classic Aero. 

Thanks to my wife, Shirley for her patience and my building partner Larry Watson. Also Don Adamson, my EAA Tech Councilor and all the other RV guys at the North Little Rock Airport. Now the REAL fun begins!! 

       

        Jerry Homsley Ser# 90158
        [ jhomsley at cebridge.net ] 


      ******************************************************


Date sent: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 
Subject: RV-12 356
From: Malcolm Belcher 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com

Hi,

I flew my RV12 ZK-RVS for the first time today. I live in New Zealand and it was built as a home built microlight. It has a panel of steam gauges and a Viking / Honda engine.

The first flight was going to be done by a very experienced test pilot, but he got stuck in another part of the country. I do have the experience to do the test flying, so I lined her up and she flew very nicely. I am now really glad he could not make it. What a sweet machine. 

       

        Malcolm Belcher
        [ malcolm.belcher at gmail.com ]


      ******************************************************


From: James Averett 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First flight
Date sent: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 

Friday, January 13, 2012, N169MJ took to the air for the first time from TS36 (Silver Wings, near Fredericksburg, TX). All went well and the first landing was made at T82 (Fredericksburg) with the next at my home base, TS36.

RV-8, QB kit number 80501
Angle valve IO 360
Airflow Performance FI
Whirl Wind prop
Garmin GNS 420W, GMA 240 and SL 40
Dynon FD 180, D-10A, HS34 and AP74

       

        Jim Averett
        [ flyinga at dishmail.net ]

      ******************************************************


From: Noel Pharoah
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Date sent: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 
Subject: RV-7 number 72145

Good morning---I am a little late in clocking in
I would just like to report that my RV-7 number 7245 is fully operational
It is absolutely standard in terms of the engine and prop ie. fixed pitch with 160HP Lycoming
It is an absolute pleasure to fly and has lived up to all the expectations.
I obtained special authorization to fly it to my new home which involved a 1500Km flight after only 10 hours – it was a great thrill, not unlike my first solo many years ago!

       

        Noel Pharoah
        Swellendam
        South Africa
        [ DCL.FSY.DK.DOCTOR.1 at disney.com ]


      ******************************************************


From: James Green 
Subject: First flight of RV-7, C-GLBF
Date sent: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com

Hi Guys,

SN 70593 finally took to the air on 11Jan 2012. Aerosport IO360. 1 mag, 1 lightspeed. Prop WW200RV 
Dynon D100, D120, A/P Flew dead straight right out of the box. Only complaint is the CG is somewhat too far back, though not too much problem, at 81.15" 

Thanks for a great kit. 

Jim Green 
Qualicum Beach BC 
[ jgreen_sg at yahoo.com ]

      ******************************************************


Date sent: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 
Subject: RV-10 40983 first flight
From: Wayne Gillispie 
To: Ken Scott 

Our first flight was 12/01/2011 at PMH- Portsmouth Regional in SE Ohio. Now we have 27 hours and we had a family first flight this past weekend. 

This is such a wonderful plane. Thanks for a well designed and economical family hauler. We are looking forward to many fun trips around the country after painting.

IFR panel with dual GRT HX, YIO-540, Hartzell 2 blade blended airfoil prop, painted interior, cloth seats...simple as possible. EW before paint= 1626 lbs. 190 ktas @ 9200' msl. Rate of climb loaded with family and baggage to near 2700 lbs= 1400 fpm+.

       

        Wayne Gillispie
       [ wayne.gillispie at gmail.com ] 

      ******************************************************


From: Ronald Parker 
Subject: First flight
To: webmaster@vansaircratf.com

First flight of N80CU ,RV-8 quick build 12-1-11 

A great airplane, thanks to all at Vans Aircraft. 

      

       Ronald Parker
       [rbpcool at bellsouth.net]

      ******************************************************


From: Rick Dawson
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Date sent: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 
Subject: First Flight, RV-10 N345RD

N345RD made its first flight on December 29, 2011, at KGCY (Greeneville, TN municipal airport).

After 3 years of building, it was great to make that flight! The aircraft has a Barrett Precision Engines IO-540X and a Stark Avionics panel built around Advanced Flight Systems EFIS units. Now it’s off to the paint shop.

               

       Rick Dawson
       [ rdawson at eastman.com ]

      ******************************************************


From: Bruce Black 
Subject: Builder number 25055
Date sent: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 

Hi all.

Merry Christmas and Happy New year

I just wanted to let you know 25055 registered ZK-BRV completed its first flight on the 23rd December 2011. Duration of flight was 15 minutes all systems functioned correctly and aircraft handled as expected.

Thanks for all your help over the last 14 years. The phase one testing will commence after the holiday break.

Bruce Black
[ bjblack at xtra.co.nz ]

      ******************************************************


From: Leonard Hendleman 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First flights
Date sent: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 


Dear Vans Aircraft: RV 12 N279LH (serial # 120201) flew for the first time on November 11, 2011. The aircraft was flown y Tim Williams for 45 minutes. All systems functioned very well, and he completed the first test card. 

Owner/builder, 86 year old Len Hendleman, of Palm Desert, CA has subsequently added 3 more hours flight time. 

It was a great project. 

     

      Leonard Hendleman
      [ n9lh at dc.rr.com ]


      ******************************************************


From: Victor Kruis
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First flight PH-OBO RV-7A
Date sent: Fri, 23 Dec 2011 

October 23, 2011 was one of the most exciting days of our life. After more than five years of building (together with my girlfriend Ilse), project 72747 became a real airplane as PH-OBO.

The first flight at Seppe, The Netherlands, together with test pilot Adriaan Brouwer, was amazing: what a power, what a view from under the tip-up canopy! It was fast and uneventful, it flies straight and stalls predictable. 

Our equipment consists of : Mattituck TMX IO360, MT prop, mag/EI, Vertical Power VP-X pro, 2 x AFS 4500, AFS autopilot, and CAD leather interior. Thanks to the Approach Fast Stack hub all the avionics connections were painless.

No problems at all? Well, painting (scheme designed by Ilse) was a bit of a struggle. The red metallic color we chose, had to be made in Fukushima some months ago. You all know what was happening at that time. The alternative turned out to be extremely translucent and difficult to spray. We may have added more paint than we wish…

After all, this project has been a great adventure for both of us. Now Europe is waiting to be explored by this amazing little plane.

First flight on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0p6Oi39Qjs 

   
              

       Best regards,
       Victor Kruis
       [victor at hobopagina dot nl]

      ******************************************************


From: Gary Kearns 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Date sent: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 
Subject: Finshed N91GK RV-7

Here is my RV-7 the plane construction started in 2002 first flight Jan 2009. The aircraft was built from a standard Kit #70184. It has a aerosport power o360 engine and Dynon Avionics Panel. I have 85 hrs on the aircraft with no problems. The wings and fuselage are vinyl wraped .

      

       Gary Kearns
       [ GKearns at headwaters.com ]

      ******************************************************


From: Jerry Fischer 
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 
To: 'webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First flight of RV-7 N364SJ kit # 73046

My RV-7, Miss Sandy, Defied gravity for the first time on December 2, 2011 at KLZU with Dave Henderson at the controls. He said she flew hands off and leaped into the sky. After 4 and a half years with some more cosmetic finishing to go, it was satisfying to finally see it fly. 

The craft is a tip up, tail wheel RV-7 started the week of Sun N Fun in 2007. Engine is an experimental O-360 with Lycoming cylinders, case, and carbureted fuel delivery. The panel is all Van's gauges with electric T & B, Gyro/horizon, and DG. Avionics are a Bendix King KT-79 transponder with transcal encoder, Michels TKM MX-170C Nav/Com, and an AVMap Geopilot GPS. Empty weight is 987 pounds. 
Indicated A/S without wheel pants @ 3000 ft. MSL was 165 Kts. 

Not too shabby for an old man, who had lots of help and support from his great wife, Miss Sandy, Ron Miller the rivet bucker, Larry Bishop the Tech Counselor, VAF for the online resource, and all the other folks who encouraged me to finish the plane and see her fly. 


           

      Jerry Fischer
     [ fischerwood at windstream.net ]

      ******************************************************


From: Bob Kurrle
Date sent: Sun, 18 Dec 2011 
Subject: First Flight N56RK
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com

First flight of my RV-7 was October 3, 2011 at Spruce Creek Fly-in, Daytona Beach, FL! I had spent 2 1/2 years building it. It was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed learning new skills: sheet metal, fiberglass, electrical, painting, etc; and of course the tremendous satisfaction you get out of the accomplishment of building your own airplane! 

Many thanks to my wonderful and patient wife, Roseann, and to the Spruce Creek community for all the support and advice when I needed it. Also thanks to the other RV-7 pilots who let me fly their planes getting ready for my first flight - Bruce Turner, Bob Gandt, and John Mullaney. Many thanks to my flight advisor, Mike Kelly. I flew the first flight - went beautifully with no major issues. I now have about 22 of the 40 hours flown off and it continues to be a joy to fly. 

N56RK is a fast build kit: 
        - Lycoming Thunderbolt IO-390 with an Aerocomposite prop. 
        - Sam James cowl with Vetterman exhaust and ram air. 
        - All electric panel with two Advanced 4500's, Tru-Trak autopilot,
        - Garmin audio panel, 430W, 
        - SL-40,and 330 transponder. 
        - Classic Aero interior. 

I fly it from the right seat so the throttle quadrant is in my left hand for formation flying. 

It was a wonderful journey building N56RK and now the satisfaction of flying what you actually built is unbelievable. It is a wonderful airplane. 

              

       Bob Kurrle 
       RV-7 N56RK 
       Spruce Creek Fly-In 
       [ rkurrle at aol.com ] 

      ******************************************************


From: Chris 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: RV-10 40072 First Flight N919AR
Date sent: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 

First flight report...

Thanks Rebecca and Audrey!! My wife "The Enabler", who did all the necessary life things while I worked (and some darn good rivet gun handling too), and my now 10 year old daughter, "The Patient", who seemed to take comfort in seeing the light on in the garage from her bedroom window, knowing Dat-tee was working into the night on her magic carpet to Disney World.

Now the garage light is off and the hangar opened 8 years, 1 month, and 1 day from start of construction. Sunday morning (11/27/2011) at 9:07 a.m. I took to the air in RV-10, N919AR, SN 40072, climbed to 3500 ft., and orbited the airport until landing at 9:32 a.m. What a great aircraft... I will just echo the write-up in the 12/2011 issue of Sport Aviation...Delivers as Promised!

This RV-10 is very close to plans built with a few modifications (weight additions). It does have a full up Flight Line Interior, 2 screen GRT EFIS and engine monitor, Garmin stack, TruTrak autopilot, and basic backup instrumentation. I also added an air scoop on the tail cone top, which was salvaged from a 1951 Bonanza. It supplies air to 4 overhead eyeball vents. The homegrown fiberglass console also houses 2 GPS antennas and lighting. I also closed the horizontal stabilizer end rib lightning holes with dope and fabric, thanks to my friend Bill who likes that type of work. 

I would also like to thank Bob and Lillian (mom and dad) for the tail kit to help start it all. And my sister Karen for the routine gift cards to Aircraft Spruce. Dad also put many an hour in on the deburr wheel, drill bit, and whatever else he could do while visiting. I also shipped him small parts to deburr and prep. Finally, thanks to Monte & Bill for never ending technical advice and free labor, Robert (who crafted the awesome wood trim on the door sill, thanks for the idea Van!), Joe, Karen, Kevin, Dennis, Eric, Jeff, and Grady for earning their seat, and Henry and Debra for the awesome paint job and letting me be paint shop helper. Don't forget Mike Seager for teaching me how to fly it before I flew it. And, Van's and the staff for trouble free customer service over the years.

First Flight Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISlitLMaRWk

             

       Regards,
       Chris Lucas
       RV-10 #40072 N919AR
       [ toaster73 at embarqmail.com ]

      ******************************************************


From: Paul F. Dye (JSC-DA811) 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com 
Date sent: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 
Subject: First Flight - RV-3, kit # 11425, "NX13PL"


Sooner or later, the only thing left to do with an RV project is to go fly…and that’s exactly what we did with our RV-3 project this morning. “NX13PL” (aka “Junior” – for now) took wing for the first time about 0830 Houston time with a nice overcast at 4,000’ and winds behind a cold front adding a few bumps to the air. The Flight Test team consisted of me as the test pilot, Louise flying the RV-6 in chase, and a few well-trusted aviation friends to help out. Our neighbor and co-worker Steve Robinson (with a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering) acted as Test Director, riding in the right seat with Louise to keep an overall eye on the flight and make sure we stayed on task. Another neighbor, Dave Forster (F-1 builder/flyer) acted as the ground chief to make sure that I had finished the checklist and provide all those miscellaneous ground services – like running to get my sunglasses when I was already strapped in. Ernie Butcher was the man with the camera – when we get the shots from him, we’ll post an album. The first flight began at our airpark, and ended (as planned) at our neighboring field with a MUCH wider runway. The winds kicked up when we got there, so we elected to leave both planes there until the evening calm sets in. 

The airplane flew like a dream – I’m not sure if it flies straight and true “hands off”, as there aren’t any other places to put your hands in an RV-3 (other than the controls)! But my initial impression is that it flies like a fabulous RV, feels light, and has tremendous power/speed response. In formation to do an ASI check, I could move up or back on Louise almost instantly. Nimble is probably the word I’ll settle on for now. Temperatures and pressures were all unremarkable (CHT’s all stayed below 350 – the Mattituck TMXIO might already be broken in!), and no leaks were found when we pulled the cowl after the thirty-some minute flight.

There are so many people to thank for this wonderful machine, that there is no doubt I would leave important people out if I tried to make a complete list. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t especially thank Garmin and Tru Trak for the chance to help test the G3X panel (I’m looking forward to actually paying attention to something other than the System’s page on subsequent flights) and GX Pilot autopilot (which I haven’t yet engaged….). The Whirlwind prop is spectacularly smooth on the Mattituck engine. Vans Aircraft has a lot of talented people making these kits – and providing support (even for the -3) when we had questions (and they have no one who’s built one, except Van). All the bits and pieces we have purchased through the many vendors in the RV community have contributed to an airplane that is a pure joy to fly. I have never had a cockpit that fit so well in every way. And the RV community – those who have built -3’s and the thousands here on VAF who have followed the build and answered our questions along the way –couldn’t be better! Thanks to Doug for this fabulous resource called VAF, and all the folks that populate it.

And while I generally write the word “we” when talking about this project, I personally have to say that I couldn’t have had a better partner – for building, and for life – in Louise. She’s really ready to honcho the next airplane project should she want – and she probably should do so without my coaching. She’s ready….just needs to get me out of the shop to make it her own. While she wants me to fly the first few hours (engine beak-in is boring I guess…), I look forward to watching her lift off in this most personal of flying machines very soon.

The RV-3 is one heck of a ride – and the ride is just beginning! 

Paul F. Dye
Lead Flight Director
Space Shuttle Operations - NASA/JSC
[ paul.f.dye at nasa.gov ]

      ******************************************************


Date sent: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 
From: Lorenz Malmström 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First Swiss RV-10 flies

Dear Van's

The first RV-10 flies in Switzerland. With André Boschung at the controls it had a 41 minutes long checkout at the military airbase of Payerne. After the return his first word was: "SUPER"!

The IO-540 engine is from Barrett, the EFIS is from MGL, PPL with André, transition training with Mike Seager, and belly pod from Motopod, just to name a few features. It took me almost seven years to complete, and about 3000 hours.

The list of people who have helped me is just too long to be published here. I just want to say Thank You! But with a marriage still going strong after such an endeavor my wife Eva deserves a special mention. I'd also like to express my gratitude towards my Lord and Saviour who not only led me into aviation ten years ago, but also took me on a spiritual journey that has not finished yet.

              

        Lorenz Malmström
        HB-YDM
        RV-10 #40280
        [ lorenz at malmstrom.ch ] 

      ******************************************************


From: Pascal Groell 
Subject: First flight
Date sent: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 
Hello everybody at Van's,

After 5 years 7 months building, and almost one month waiting for the weather, the first flight of RV-7A #72588 was was uneventful. This is a new addition to the French RV fleet. No heavy wing, some limits to adjust on the EFISes and the real tests to run in the next flights. It was a thrill. Thanks for the great design. Thanks for the great support from everybody at Vans.

            More information and videos on my website at:
                             http://www.notreavion.net/

          Best regards
          Pascal Groell
          RV-7A
          #72588
         [ pgroell at numericable.com ]

      ******************************************************


Date sent: Tue, 6 Dec 2011 
Subject: RV-10 first flight
From: Ernst Freitag 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com

I wanted to let you know of another RV-10 ser#40513 has experienced flight. I am a repeat offender and even after getting used to the incredible performance of an RV-8, I was blown away by this very impressive airplane. My RV-10 is outfitted with an Aero Sport IO-540 and a couple of Dynon Sky Views as well as an MVP50 engine monitor. Project was started in December of 2005 and I finished painting it in my garage at the end of September 2011. The first flight occurred on Sunday December 4th and the aircraft flew hands off without any abnormal tendencies. 

Many thanks to all the members of Van's aircraft who contributed to the engineering and manufacturing of a truly exceptional airplane kit.

        

        Ernst Freitag 
        [ ernstfreitag at gmail.com ]

      ******************************************************


From: Manuel Gonzalez Jr. 
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Date sent: Mon, 5 Dec 2011 
Subject: First flight Experimental RV-4, N146ZX

Dear Mr. Van. G:

Brief- History N146ZX First flight was on Dec. 4, 2011, EST. 9:15 to 9:50 A.M. @ Cumberland Regional Airport, CBE. Winds calm. Visibility unlimited, Temp 35 Deg. F. Lined-up on RWY 23 center line, one notch of flaps, Five ( 5) count on the throttle, stick back. Man She jumped in the air, in I don’t know maybe two hundred(200’) feet. I dropped the nose some, climbed-out at one twenty (120), vertical speed indicator pegged. Leveled-off @ 6000’, doing better than 160 MPH. Powered back to 2000.RPM, to begin practicing my landing procedures at altitude. Since I’m writing you today, the landing went well. 

No-one but God and I witness the event.

Thank you Mr. Van. G

Manuel Gonzalez
Cumberland MD.
RV-4, Kit # 4433 Married to
IO.360. A1A.& Hartzell C/S
[ MGonzalez at mta.maryland.gov ]

      ******************************************************


Subject: First Flight RV-6, D-EWIS
Date sent:  Mon, 5 Dec 2011
From:    Friedhelm Schwarz
To:    webmaster@vansaircraft.com

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 On 28th of November 2011 at 11:28 a.m. Testpilot Rudolf Hankers from Technical University Braunschweig in Germany did the first flight on my RV-6, D-EWIS, S/N 3921.

On the second flight I was on the right seat and after landing it was clear for me that I will have a lot of fun with this A/C. I have to install a trim tab at the rudder but that was the only finding.

 I have installed in my RV a O-360 with MT constant speed propeller. The performance on the first flight is overwhelming.

Greetings to the Vans Team,

        
        Friedhelm Schwarz
        Braunschweig , Germany
        [ schwarz at aerodata.de ]

 

      ******************************************************

Date sent:  Sat, 3 Dec 2011
From:    Jim Woolard
Subject: Kit no. 22300 is now flying

 RV-10 N9855J and has accumulated 3 hrs. now.

 Thanks,
Jim Woolard
[ jfw4144 at yahoo.com ]

      ******************************************************

From: John Bone 
Subject: Finished! 91254
Date sent: Fri, 2 Dec 2011 

Dear All,

At long last I took G-CGMG for its first flight this lovely frosty morning.

The tail came up as soon as I started rolling and I was off the ground in I guess well under a hundred yards, followed by a climb rate of just over 2000 fpm. I gave it a bit of a shakedown for half an hour. Flying in triangles I seem to be getting 144 kts groundspeed at 25 squared and 131 kts at 22 squared with no spats or u/c fairings, which is fantastic. It was my first go at the controls of a -9, but it seemed to feel much the same as the -6 but with better performance.

It flew like it was on rails and amazingly everything worked perfectly. I'd taken the Cub for a ride immediately before I think the RV landed shorter, but maybe the breeze had picked up by then.

Thanks go to:
My wife of course for giving her never ending love and support. My inspector Don Harker who just knows EVERYTHING and seemed to know always just what to say to keep me motivated.
Flying friends Peter and Peter who will be seeing a lot more of me now I have emerged for the workshop. John Shanley for teaching me how to paint (mostly over the phone). Richard Morris who came to my rescue with a rear half canopy after I damaged the original. And of course all of you for your support and advice over the last 6 years.

Vital statistics:
RV-9 Quick Build
160 hp Superior from Aerosport
2 blade MT CS prop
Build time, 6 years from order, 2,850 hours. I'm not building another ever again!

Videos at :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLTMFxT5zB0
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi1yqOYMkiE

            

      Regards,
      John
      [ john at bone19.freeserve.co.uk ]

      ******************************************************

From:
Roger L. Mell
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: RV-7 First Flight
Date sent: Mon, 28 Nov 2011

RV-7, N212RE flew at Spirit of St. Louis Airport for the first time on July 14, 2011 after five years and two months of construction. I found the aircraft to perform as expected, not surprises. The left wing was a little heavy, but is easily trimmed out and is most likely due to my excess weight in the left seat.

Specs: Lycoming YIO-360-M1B, Catto 3 blade fixed pitch prop, Trutrak Digiflight II autopilot, Infinity stick grips, Garmin radio stack with GNS 530W, SL-30, and Transponder, Grand Rapids HX EFIS and EIS screens. Gary Wirrill and his folks at Aerotronics in Billings, Mt. were great help in putting the plug and play panel together. I can’t thank them enough.

My sincere thanks goes to Vans for producing a great kit and superb aircraft. The gents who provide Builders Assistance have been very helpful over the years, and have been courteously tolerant even when some really elementary (possibly stupid) questions were asked. You have my sincere thanks.

My local support group has provided advice and help when needed. I’d like to specifically thank Pete Field, John Marshall, and Tom Ward all of whom have been invaluable resources. I’d especially like to thank David Domeier who bucked the impossible rivets on the forward skin by lying under the panel while I did the easy part. He was also a great help getting the engine on the mounts, and over the years giving advice based on his wide experience having built 2 RV-7’s and 2 Rutan fiberglass aircraft. Thanks also to members of EAA Chapter 32 who gave advice along the way, especially Ron Burrnett, Gale Derosier.

Current Concern: What to do now? I can’t fly 8 to 9 hours a day. An RV-9 -- Maybe.

               

        Roger Mell
        [ rmell33 at msn.com ]
        Spirit St. Louis Airport
        Chesterfield, MO

 

      ******************************************************

 
                          Go to page 2 of First Flights


 
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14401 NE Keil Road
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