We learn of flying RVs in several different ways, and we can only add your RV to our counter if you let us know it’s flown! Ideally, a builder will use the form linked from this page to send us the story and a photo/video or two or three of his or her personal “RV grin.” Sometimes they call us on the phone, which is great but doesn’t actually provide us with anything to publish on the web. Other times we find out incidentally; for example when a customer calls to order new tires and we wonder why someone who is still building (as far as we know) would need them. Or, we may discover a first flight announcement on an RV web forum or other online venue. On yet other occasions, we learn of a new batch of flying RVs from “RV factories” overseas, but without the individual owner details.
We’d like to see more RV grins here, so please submit your first-flight story and pictures of your new “baby,” or we (and the rest of the world) may never know of your success! Click the “Submit Report” link on the right!
Tony Kirk literally needs no introduction — but we’ll give him one anyway. Multi RV builder, former Van’s factory rivet pounder, and instigator of one of the more unusual paint schemes ever. Now’s he’s completed an RV-12iS. We’ll let him tell the rest: After building an RV-6A (FF 2005) and a Bronze Lindy winning RV-7 […] Read More
Phil Sprang just flew his RV-14 for the first time. Here’s how he tells is: It was a Tuesday and that was my standard answer when people asked when I was going to fly it. After three and a half years of mostly solo building, I got to re-live the exact same feeling of my […] Read More
Daniel Snow, one of our many “repeat offenders,” just flew his RV-14A. We’ll let him take it from here: After selling the RV-9A that I built and flew 10 years earlier, I swore that I would never build another airplane. But like many RV builders, I missed the excitement of completing a wing, a fuselage, […] Read More
Mark Hall just completed first flight of his RV-14A. Here’s his report: At just under two thousand hours of building over three years, N83MV flew for the first time today at KCPP. Incredible airplane and kit. Lycoming Thunderbolt YIO-390-EXP340, Beringer wheels, brakes, and hoses from Aircraft Specialty Flightlines, interior from Classic Aero Designs and Garmin […] Read More
Michael Alexander flew his RV-7A back in April, but has been busy flying it since then. Here’s his story: It took 6 years (with the help of my wife), but my first flight was on April 23, 2025. The plane now has over 115 hours on it and flies wonderfully. My plane has some slight […] Read More
Scott Davis just flew his RV-14 for the first time. Here’s his story: After nearly 6 years of work in AZ and TX I finally completed and flew N892SL. As a retired USAF F-16 and current Southwest Airlines pilot it was the most exciting flight of my life. Thankfully, it was uneventful, with just a […] Read More
Eric Pelletier just completed the first flight of his RV-14. He writes: After five years of building N811EP took to the skies early Saturday morning. I flew for about an hour while circling the airfield. She flew fast and straight with on a few minor squawks to work on. Thanks to Van’s Aircraft for making […] Read More
Randall and Craig Grubbs just celebrated the first flight of their RV-10. Here’s what they say: My first flight was amazing. My additional pilot Bobby Gilliam, a CFI (and also adorned with multiple ratings and experience) casually said “kick this thing and let’s go.” The dual-electronic Barrett IO-540 with an MT three-blade prop roared to […] Read More
Ken Bochman writes: Greetings from a 3rd time builder. I finished my RV-14A in 2018, helped and mentored my neighbor Scott Stone with his RV-7A after that, and recently finished my RV-10 with his help on my project. I guess I just wasn’t ready to hang up my tools, so to speak. In addition to […] Read More
Joseph wrote in to let us know that he has completed his RV-8! He writes: First flight completed on a clear Florida morning at sunrise. Showplanes Fastback, Skydesigns Landing Gear, IO-360 with MT 3 blade constant speed, Flyboys Steering link and Condor Pneumatic Tire. Construction took 5 years and 2,900 hours logged. My chase ship […] Read More
Nice work Francisco! The first flight was totally uneventful which was perfect for the first flight test. The aircraft performed flawlessly and is a delight to fly. I have to thank the whole team at Van’s for the support I received during the construction, I had no prior aircraft building experience and I wouldn’t have […] Read More
Celebrating Tyler and his newly flying RV, he writes Beautiful Florida morning skies and a brand new plane, what else do you need? First flight went amazing, first time being a test pilot for an RV and it was a thrilling experience to say the least. 5 years was worth the wait and long nights […] Read More
Congratulations to David on the first flight of his RV-14A, he writes: It took 8 years, but my first flight was 6/20/2024. The test flights including aerobatics went great, and performance matches the book. The paint job by Woodlake Aircraft made it look as good as it flies. Thanks to all the folks at Van’s […] Read More
Congrats to Michael on the first flight of his RV-7! Thank you for the very detailed report: “Aerokat” flew for the first time 08/29/2025! I took advantage of the Additional Pilot Program since I am a very low time pilot and have low time tail wheel experience. We did a 1 hour flight, mostly engine […] Read More
Congrats to Larry on completing his third RV! First flight of my RV-14A took place on the morning of August 22. The plane performed beautifully. This was my 6th time of being a test pilot and it was still quite thrilling. My third RV. Best performing one. Previous ones were RV-12 & RV-10.
Congrats to A Pearson and D Crocker on their new RV-12iS, they write: First flight was on a hot summer day from a small grass airfield. I have very little experience on type, so another RV-12 owner agreed to be my test pilot. After landing he reported that the aircraft handled well with just a […] Read More
Adress of my blog: https://www.hotel-oscar-tango.com Take-off video: Landing video:
A big day for Jim, whose RV just made its maiden voyage. He writes: First flight finally in the books. It took a long time … but it was worth the wait. It took every bit of perseverance I had near the end, but the moments where the plane started to come alive, e.g. first […] Read More
Celebrating Ken and his newly flying RV, he writes: Built N73XP in home pole barn (built for project) and final assembly at 3CM (Bay City, MI). Started build in July of 2013 and airworthiness certification in Sept 2023. First flight was by Ken on November 19, 2023. Very nervous leading up to the flight, until […] Read More
Malcom flew his new RV-6 for the first time! I had local RV legend Simon Pike do the first flight. Results were good, although it flew a little right-wing heavy. We did 4 short flights between us that first day. IAS and TAS have yet to be calibrated; however, XM6 seems to be quite fast […] Read More
