Hello Van's,

I would like to let you know that kit # 40796, has changed it's designation to C-GPES on July 7. The RV-10's first flight was great, very stable and was very much like N220RV. Thanks to Van's for allowing N220RV to be used for transition training in Maryland, made our first flight a breeze. Thanks to Joe also , he is very knowledgeable and not scared to let you stray off the beaten path and learn from your own mistakes.

Four proud owners, Allister, Brad, Delmar and me Ron.

             

       Ron Belliveau
       [ ronbelliveau at EastLink.ca ]

Like to report that kit 23234 a RV-6A flew on 7-6-10 and what a fine flying aircraft. It is a IO-320 powered with a Hartzell CS prop. Dynon D-100 & VMC 1000C instrumentation. 

Many thanks to Bob Burger, Greg Strom, Dave Melby, Gary Pangrel and my patient wife for all the help and talent they lent to the project.

Seven years of planning and labor finally came together as a great getaway machine.

               

         Walt Ray
         [ waltray at me.com ]

First flight: May 23, 2010 0835 MDT
Engine: ECi XIO-360 CS, 180 HP (Built by Attaway Air)
Prop: Aero Composites, Model ACI 2000 (2 Blade)
Empty Wt: 1116
Avionics: GRT EFIS (2), GRT EIS, TRU TRACK ADI PILOT I, Garmin 430, Garmin 327

No surprises here! My 8 flew remarkably well. No major issues. First flight lasted about 45 min. Hats off to Van’s for designing a great airplane.

Has to be one of the longest on record to build, 12 yrs 8 mos. Also my humble thanks would not be complete with out mentioning my close friend of 45+ years, Tom Wood (RV-8 N184TW) from South Alabama. Via Skype Woody helped with some valuable tips that only an RV-8 builder can offer. I wouldn’t want to hazard a guess at how much time and effort he saved me! Paint plans are to be the colors of one of my Grandfather’s (VC Babcock) aircraft that he designed and built (the Taube) circa 1930’s, Maroon and Cream with my Dad’s B-17 Squadron Emblem as nose art and a distinguishing Triangle "L" on the middle of the fuselage.

        Web site: http://phredyh0.tripod.com/

             

        Fred Hollendorfer
        Wheat Ridge, Colorado
        [ phredyh at comcast.net ]

The RV-7 (Quick?build - Nov 2004 'til June 2010) flew for the first time 28th June 2010. The Test Pilot, Bob Needham (far right in pic), reported that "All figures are exactly as advertised and the aircraft flies beautifully level with the ball in the middle". Wow!!

Few details:
Engine Aerosport Power 180HP
Prop Sensenich Fixed Pitch
EFIS DYNON FLIGHTDEK 180 Stand-by Analog ASI and Altimeter
NAV-COMS VHF: A210 ICOM BENDIX KING XPONDER GPS 296 GARMIN

Paint: Happening after test flying is complete.

Huge thanks to MIKE CHAD and IAN MOSS who assisted in so many ways - MIKE the Technical "Brain" &MOSSY the "Grass Roots" assistant (both in the photo). Son Paul & his Wife Linda have helped in more ways than I can list. (Ted Kuhn the "Woodworker" & all-round good bloke missing from the photo).Thanks to everyone, especially Bob Needham who showed enough confidence in our handiwork to volunteer for the Test Flying.

Mr. Van's, great kit & support. Thanks heaps.

       Cheers,
       Bob Barnett
       Builder 72087
       [ bobbybatport1 at optusnet.com.au ]

On 6/16 /10 N524AP took to the sky! It’s a RV-9 Tail dragger with a Tip-up! ECI xo-320 kit and 2 bladed Catto prop. Skyview EFIS and Garmin Avionics. I spent 20 months, and 1100 hours building it. Airplane flew great! I am looking forward to getting out of my Phase I box and doing some traveling.

      

       Tony Phillips
       [ tonycfi at wi.rr.com ]

Just wanted to tell you, my RV-12 (N382KB) made it's first flight on July 3, 2010 at 6:00 a.m. out of Payson, Arizona. The flight was beautiful.

Keith Ball
[ kball_85547 at hotmail.com ]

RV-6 N816KC made it's first flight June 24, 2010. Empty weight is 1051 with an O-360, Sensenich prop, IFR avionics and no interior. Thanks to Smokey Ray and Habitchual for getting me started on the -6, and special thanks to Chris and Nathan, without their help it never would have gotten done.

              

       Kevin Crews
       [ n816kc at verizon.net ]

N877WB made it's first flight 6-23-2010. It flew straight and had no problems. It weighs 1075, has a IO-360-M1B, Sensenich FP prop, Dynon D10, D100, AP, Garmin GPS, radio, and transponder. Serial # 73096.

             

       This is my fifth RV.

       Wayne Baker
       [ rwb877 at hughes.net ]

        Steve Johnson
        N524SJ
        RV-9A kit 90730
        [ docskj at suddenlink.net ]

71313 is in the air. Thanks to all the guys at Bowman Field, KY. You know who you are.

Thanks to Van's Aircraft for a fantastic kit. Thanks to Aero Sport for the great engine.

     

      Ben Cunningham
      [ benandginny at insightbb.com ]

You can increment your Hobbs meter by one more RV-8. Just got through the mandatory Phase I flight tests (15 hrs and 50 landings – there is no phase II). Just love it – what a great airplane you people have built. Actually I am not surprised – just last week we had our very wet yearly Vans Club de France flyin (Mende in France) – got weathered out – only 5 planes made it in but others came by car. During supper we had 5 airline pilots, 2 fighter pilots, one firefighting pilot, one helicopter pilot out of 20 persons – good company I should say – those who really know airplanes chose RVs.

I don’t yet have photos of my plane in the air but I do have a couple of good one as I am taxiing. Solidity, performance, handling, looks, ease of build – it has it all.

              

       Thanks guys
       Michèle Delsol
       [ michele.delsol@orange.fr ]

       http://www.vansclubdefrance.fr/

After 5 years and 1854 hours, my RV-7A took it's first flight 12/16/09. It sports a Superior IO-360 swinging a Sensenich fixed pitch prop. The panel consists of a 7" AvMap gps between 2 Dynons (D100 EFIS & D120 EMS). A TruTrak autopilot keeps things steady. Weight after painting is 1124 lbs.

         Doug Cook
         RV-7A
         N177EZ
         Finished
        [ dougcook at cox.net ]

After an embarrassingly long build time, RV-7A N7189J, (s/n 70394) had it's first flight on June 11, 2010. Living in Florida, with a first flight at 95 degrees ambient, she has some cooling issues to resolve before any extended high power operation. 89J has an ECI "O360 clone" kit engine with a Hartzell constant speed prop. Even with the high ambient temperature, the acceleration and climb rate was impressive. She fly’s hands off straight and level. She weights 1093 pounds on certified scales. It's an impressive bird in that even with the high cruise speeds and responsive handling, she will slow down and lands easier than my Cherokee. (anyone want to buy a Cherokee?).

        Tom Clements - Panama City, Florida
        [ tlc at knology.net ]

Were are excited to announce that Van's RV-9A SN 90775 - N808LK first took to the air on June 20, 2010 at 7:07 AM after 2 years, 7 months, 22 days, and 16.5 hours of construction. It was SOOO much fun that we had to do it again at 9:45. Flies wonderful!! She is powered by a Lycoming O-320 running a Hartzell prop. Dynon 100/120s along with a Garmin 696 and 300XL fill out the panel.

We'd like to thank EVERYONE (and that is a lot of folks) for all their support and assistance in getting her in the air. The folks at Van's have been great in getting us assistance and parts!

And here for the rest of the story: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dntanderson/sets/72157624326741682/

        Dave & Trina
        [ dntanderson at yahoo.com ]

Hello all.

Just to let you know that on June the 11th 2010, RV-4 2694 became a completed aircraft, and flew uneventfully as expected. The performance is spectacular with a 160 hp Lycoming and a Collin Walker 69x69 prop. with climb of 2500 ft per minute and 170 mph cruise. The test pilot for the initial flight was Les Vaughan of Hixon BC Canada, who built an RV-6 some 10 years and 500 hours ago. By the way, Les just celebrated his 70th birthday and still flies his 6 regularly. As for the airplane, what can I say, it is a very beautiful aircraft, fun to fly, spectacular performance, proven design, great company, great support, I could go on and on. So, I'll just say a big thank you to ALL the great folks at Van's Aircraft, the many fantastic people here in Quesnel BC who helped to make this a reality, and especially my wife Gloria, who very patiently allowed me to fulfill this dream of a lifetime.

              

         Dave
         [ rv4fun at telus.net ]

I am delighted to report on the first flight of my RV-8A serial number 82236. The aircraft weighs 1115 pounds. It sports a full IFR Panel, Dual Axis Autopilot and is powered by a Superior XP 360 180 HP engine turning a Sensenich fixed pitch prop. In December of 2009 many of the fiberglass pieces of this airplane were destroyed in a shop fire. I pressed on and now am I glad that I did.

The aircraft handles like a dream. Total build time 5 years, 7 months and 20 days. Thank you to Van's for producing such a great kit with great technical support. Special thanks to all my friends and family that helped make this dream-come-true possible! Add another satisfied customer and completed aircraft to the list!

              

        Jeff Moreau
        Virginia Beach, VA
        [ jmoreau2 at cox.net ]

Vans, I flew my RV-4, s/n 4517, for the fist time yesterday.

Dick Harmon
[ cen94274 at centurytel.net ]

RV-10 N31TD achieved first flight on 20 March 2010. Powerplant is an IO-540 that I overhauled under the guidance of IA/Tech Counselor/Bax Seat Award winner Dick Koehler. Avionics includes GNS530W, Advanced Flight System AF-3500 EFIS, Tru Track Advanced AP, Garmin 496 for GPS backup and XM weather, and steam gauges for A/S, altitude, and attitude backup. I painted the plane at home with PPG Concept. Stripes and N-numbers are 12-year Oracal vinyl, cut with a fairly low cost vinyl cutter. Vinyl work is not done yet... I'm too busy flying! Empty weight 1634 lbs (includes paint, fairings, and interior). 

A huge "thank you" to my wife Debbie for her support during both this project and the RV-6A we completed in 1999. The number one requirement
for completing an RV is a supportive spouse! Thanks to Dick Koehler for his outstanding expertise and support to me and dozens of homebuilders throughout our area. EAA chapter 186 is a great asset to builders in the N. VA area.

      

       Tim Lewis -- HEF (Manassas, VA)
       RV-6A N47TD -- 1090 hrs
       RV-10 N31TD -- First Flight 20 Mar 2010
       [ Tim_Lewis at earthlink.net ]

Hello there!

My RV-7A QB-kit with # 73183 got airborne Monday evening on June the 15th and everything went nice and smoot-h. This will be a nice travelling partner.

It comes with a IO-360-M1B engine and a Hartzell CS prop. Garmin SL40 , 328 Mode-S transponder and a 296 GPS. Dynon 120 EMS. The flight instruments are the old fashioned Sixpack with Tru-trak autopilot. It weighed in at 504kg (1108lbs) and took 1550 hours over a two year period to complete. Huge thanks to Gunilla, Lasse Palett and Rolle for all the help and support.

         Best regards,
         Niklas Bengtsson
         SWEDEN
         [ cfttrading at telia.com ]