Van's,

Just wanted to let you know RV-8 QB kits #82872 and #82865 have been completed and both flew March 5, 2010.

Enclosed is a picture of mine, N1ZN. (#82865)

       

        Thank you,
        Jim Crunkleton
        [ crunk12 at bellsouth.net ]

A belated note to all, RV-7 build number 71979 flew its first flight on 15 December 2009 and steadily building up hours.

ZU-KLT is owned by Ken Clark in Queenstown and he is thoroughly enjoying the 200 hp Lycoming engine, Hartzell two bladed blended prop and MGL Voyager (now upgraded to the Voyager MK2 on the left and the older MGL on the right).

The plane was built in Port Elizabeth by Tony Bailes and his team.

           

      Tony Bailes
      [ abailes at mweb.co.za ]

Today my RV-7 (#71842) flew for the first time after 6 years of building. EAA East Coast President Dave Grosvenor did the honors out of Pietermaritzburg airport, South Africa. Dave says it flies straight and true like the other two RV-7's he has test flown.

ZU-ZRV is powered by an ECI IOX 360 with a Hartzell Blended Airfoil propeller. Vans engine gauges, Dynon D10A and Garmin 296 are mounted in a carbon fiber panel. Many thanks to Van and staff for the kit that proved a pleasure to build, even for a first time builder who felt overwhelmed at the enormity of the task when I first opened the emp kit in 2004.

The biggest thanks go to my wife Laurie and girls Anna and Erin for their patience, support and understanding whilst I spent so much time in the garage.

       Many Thanks
       Gary Keyser
       Hilton, South Africa
       gmk at iafrica dot com

I'm happy to report the first flight of N246MC. After 23 years of construction (off and on) on February 25 2010 my RV-6 was test flown by a chronic builder and RV pilot Ed McGinty. Ed reported that she flew straight and true with no trim correction necessary.

Thank you Vans for your support over the years. I've enjoyed the build and I'm already thinking of the next RV project.

      Thank You,
      Mike Choules
      20247
     [ mcbrewer at gemstategrotto.org ]

Today February 22nd I flew my slow build RV-8 S/N 82727 that I have been building the last 2 years for the first time for 34 minutes over San  Fernando's Sky, Chile. The aircraft flew incredibly well with no squawks or a heavy wing, I am absolutely happy with the kit, thank you Mister Van.

I want to give thanks to my buddies for help building, Edmundo Melo, Ivan Guerrero, Erik Guerrero, Sebastian Muñoz, Ariel Muñoz. Also I want to give special thanks to my Mother Beatriz Santibañez for teaching me to follow my dreams and my wife Macarena Tasville for her support.

Empty weight 1110 lbs (Painted inside and out)
Lycoming YIO-360-M1B
Hartzell Prop and PCU5000X Governor
Plane Power 60 A Alternator
Infinity Grips front and rear
Hooker Hardness
Autotrim upholstery
Alex Dedomics Tail Fork
Dynon and Garmin Avionics
CO Guardian
Andair Fuel pump, Gascolator and Selector Valve.

                 View the maiden flight Video on youtube:
              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLfbnn-06gY
    
    Fernando Abasolo
    RV-8 Builder/Pilot
    82727
    CC-PXG
    Chile
    [ fabasolo at gmail.com ]

Please find attached some pics from the first flight day of my RV-3B (QB Wings) Equipped with a 160 hp Lycoming, Catto 2 blade, Ellison TBI, Raven Oil System, Hooker Ratchet belts, Microair Comm and Garmin Tspdr. 

Minimum instrumentation plus fuel flow and g-meter for an empty weight of 760 lbs.

Thanks to the "Friday Night Gang", the "Brampton Bunch" as well as Randy L, Rob H, Tony S and Fred B, who's websites helped
tremendously !

           

       Mike
       [ mike.skoczen at tc.gc.ca ]

It was built from a slow build kit in 2 years and 4 months. Everything about the kit was as advertised and it went together fairly easily - thanks Vans! Thanks to my wife for bucking all the two person rivets and for always being there to help. And thanks to all the people I have never met but who took the time to catalog their building experiences online and provided invaluable hints and tips at the difficult parts.

       

        Best Regards,
        John Davies Sechelt, Canada
        [ jjdavies at dccnet.com ]

At 0930 hours VH-CJT made her first flight. Test pilot Dick Welbon radioed that it was a delight to fly. Getting to slow down for flap extension was the only problem. After being checked out I flew the RV solo for the first time on January 29.

Empty weight is 1106lbs and my aircraft is fitted with following:
Superior XP 10-360 motor
Hartzell 72’ B-H Prop
Dynon D100 EFIS
Dynon D 120 EMS
Dynon AP 74 Autopilot
Garmin GTX 327 Transponder
ICOM A210 VHF
Plus back up steam gauges in both front & rear cockpits.

Thanks to all at Vans (esp Fedosia) – Dave Wholing - Dick Welbon and friend Ray for endless help and advice.

My rekindled flying passion can now continue – 25 years full on – 25 years nothing and now the best of all my RB-8A – 14 Hours to date.

The photo shows test pilot Dick Welbon (Black shirt), SAAA Inspector Bill Keehwer (red shirt) and myself with RV grin at rear

        

         Don Scott
         Kalgoorlie/Esperance
         Australia
        [ DonScott3 at bigpond.com.au ]

I have finished my RV-7 after nine years of building, Riveting and painting. I test flew it Feb 14/2010. Empty weight came in at 1080 Lbs with an Aero sport 0-360 (thanks Bart) and a Hartzell constant speed prop from Van's.
( Wow does this thing go nice)

Many thanks to my friend Jim Mire for helping me rivet it together and Gerry Bouches for helping me finish and thanks Van's for such a great product and help with all the questions I had over the years.

     Mike DeVouge
     Edmonton Alberta Canada
     #70724
     [ mdevouge at shaw.ca ]

          

      Tom Agin
      Port Orange, FL
      [ tomagin at hotmail.com ]

N743DM, a VAN RV 7, received its Airworthiness Certificate on July 14, 2009 and I flew its first flight on August 12, 2009 complete with gear fairings. After 42 hours of flight, the plane went to the paint shop. Thanks to my wife Marge, my brother Scooter Becker, Marcus Goetting, Darrel Reilly, Paul Schmitt, and Bryan Decker, the plane was finished and flown in 11 months from the time the quick build fuselage and wings arrived at my house. Of course there were others that offered encouragement and support. I owe special thanks to Rick Huebner of Alton, ILL and Seth Hancock of Georgetown, TX.

The plane is powered with a Lycoming 0-320, 150 HP engine, CATO 2 bladed composite prop, and Saber Manufacturing Propeller attachments and nose ballast. It has dual B & C alternators, B & C Starter, a Vertical Power 50 electrical management system, Dynon D 180 with dual servo autopilot and heated Pitot Tube, a Garmin 430 W, a Garmin GI 106A, a Garmin GTX 327 Transponder, and a Flight Com Stereo Intercom System. There are additional back up steam gauges for Tachometer, Altitude, Vertical Speed, and Airspeed indications. There are many other extras including Grove Wheels and Brakes with flexible steel brake and fuel lines, and a Rocket Tail Wheel Steering Link to name a few.

The airplane is very quiet for its type thanks to the insulation of the firewall, floor and the "closed" canopy design by Marcus Goetting. The seats, floor mats, and armrests came from Chicago Tool Upholstery Shop which adds to comfort and quietness. The performance and maneuverability of this plane reminds me of flying a jet.

      Donald A. Becker
      Hallettsville, TX 
      EAA 820400
      [ dabecker at hughes.net ]

Dear Van’s Aircraft,

It is with great delight that I inform you that RV6A VH-ZCZ (Aust Sqn) is now flying.

On Thursday, the 28thJanuary 2010 RV6A VH-ZCZ took to the skies. Building was a bit over 10 years with a few other projects in the middle. She is pushed along by an 180hp Aero Sport Power IO-360 (great engine Bart), fuel injected withone magneto and one Light Speed ignition and a Hartzell Constant Speed Propeller bought from Van's. We are 7.5 hours into the test period and it flies like a dream.

Many thanks to my wife Anne who was very patient and very skilful with both bucking bar and rivet gun. Anne has a Private Pilots License (PPL) and is looking forward to flying the RV as well.

What can I say, I have the RV grin and it think it will stay for many years of great flying.

Thanks Van’s for a great kit, and super support over the years.

      Regards,
      Martin and Anne Carr
      RV-6A Builder 24825
      Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
      [ carrma at bigpond.com ]

I have finally finished my RV-8 builder No 80369 Engine IO-360-A1B6 with a Hartzell HC-C2YR -1BFP/F7497 .Basic empty weight 530 kg due to christan inverted oil and large built in mountain high OXY. Engine has 1500 hours on it but good compressions. I am an aircraft engineer and went to great lengths to minimize drag. No trimming needed at all, flights straight.

           

      Regards,
      Ben Bowden
      Australia
      [ blbowden at tpg.com.au ]

RV-10 (40301) first flew on January 11, 2010. Now have flown 6 flights in 7 days. No airframe on engine squawks what so ever---only glass panel gremlins. Particulars: IO-540 (Mattituck) with 9:1 pistons (268HP), LightSpeed/Mag combination, MT 3 blade prop, heavy duty oil cooler, oil cooler by pass valve, two battery, two alternators, GET Dual Screen, GRT EIS, 430W, PM6800, 330, SL-30, Accuracy Avionics Panel, backup small round dials, three way trim, AOA, HD landing lights.

Jay Rowe
[ <tyler at skibutlers.com ]

On Feb 7 RV-8 80234 left the ground for the first time. Building spanned 13 years, 5 jobs, the birth of two kids (now 7 and 10), and just under 2000 hours of on and off again work. It's equipped with a Superior O-360 spinning a Sensenich prop, Dynon D180, Garmin 495, Icom A200, Garmin GTX 327 and Altrak Alt Hold. Many thanks to neighbor/helper/RV-6 builder/tool lender Jack Wooten, Tech Counselor Ed Martinson, and especially my wife Michelle.

       

     Andy Wereley
     Vacaville, CA
     [ awereley@sbcglobal.net ]