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!
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
Congrats to Pete on his new RV-12iS! He writes: Today, on August 5th, 2025, after four and a half years of planning, building and dreaming, G-UAPS took to the skies over the south-east of England for the first time with John Price (fellow RV-12iS builder) at the controls – marking the successful completion of a […] Read More
Congratulations to Giovanni on completing his RV‑7! Was a Windy Day, Sun was barely visible due to Smoke in the Air, as it had been for weeks, But We decided To Fly Take-off was quick, first hop was only 5-10 minutes, just a lap around the pattern. Still, it felt like I had used the […] Read More
Congratulations to Dennis on completing his RV‑8! Today in the light of the midnight sun, my long time project took to the skies for the first time piloted by my father and RV-4 #432 Builder Bjarne Isaksson. It is powered by a O-360 turning a Cato 2 blade prop, Empty weight was 468kg, climbed like […] Read More
Congratulations to Richard on flying his new RV‑12iS! He writes: Life kept getting in the way but we finally got it done. We were performing taxi tests and I guess we got a little too fast. Had to make a split-second decision. The airplane was ready to go. Handling great. So… what the heck. The […] Read More
Another RV takes flight—congratulations, Megan! Flying the RV-10 has been such a blast! From start to finish, the build took my husband and I seven years (2018-2025), but actual build time was 3.5 years (an overseas assignment close to the end of the build put work at stoppage for a while!). The first flight was […] Read More
Congratulations to Chuck and Jerry on their new RV-14A! They write: Wow, what a day! After 5 1/2 years of building, N671RV took to the air 7/4/2025. Dad and I have had a wonderful time building and now we’re going to have a wonderful time flying. What a great father / son project! The first […] Read More
