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!
Greg Tilford’s RV-14A flew for the first time. Here’s more about the journey and first flight: I wanted a project that I could enjoy with my sons. Building an RV was a great way to spend quality time learning some things together….not the least of which was patience 😉. The plane flew beautifully, and phase […] Read More
Brandyn Kilgore’s RV-7A flew for the first time. Here’s some of the story: This was an incredible and rewarding journey. It’s one that’s story is truly just begging. I spent nearly eight years building this aircraft and to finally have my first flight was an overwhelming experience. I had many ups and downs over the […] Read More
Bill Markey’s RV-4 flew for the first time. Here’s more on his long journey: Kit number 4434 has finally made it into the air, after 23 years, one interstate move, six different jobs (including my own business), and nearly 10 years parked up under a sheet while I dealt with family priorities. In the first […] Read More
Roger Peltola’s RV-7A flew for the first time. Here’s more: Dick VanGrunsven inspected my first rivets at our EAA 105 breakfast and I believe he picked the order for my fuselage kit. Scott McDaniels served as Designated Airworthiness Representative and Mike Seager as Qualified Additional Pilot. All the Legends. The video tells the rest.
Kevern Brown’s RV-7 flew for the first time. Here’s more: ZU-IYV took to the skies at Eagles Creek Airfield in Johannesburg today. The machine has Dual G3X Garmin 175s Garmin Autopilot. It has a carbon instrument panel with carbon tips all-round except the wing tips, in addition to carbon spats fairings and cuffs. The plane […] Read More
Graham Murphy’s RV-6 flew for the first time. Here’s more: I have gotten to the age where I do not fly solo anymore, so I have engaged a much younger (and much better) test pilot by the name of Dan Coleman. He reported that the aircraft flew very well on its first flight, apart from […] Read More
Lucas van der Stee joined the ranks of thousands of others experiencing their first “RV Grin”. Here’s more. After 4.5 years of building, a dream came through. The first flight of my RV-8 was a great success. It flew better than expected and gave me the well known “RV Grin”.
Ryan Evans’ RV-7A took to the skies for the first time. Here’s more: I hired Tom Berge to do the first flight and then my transition training.
Norman Hunger’s RV-6A flew for the first time after years of hard work. Here’s more: 28 years of building and painting in my garage. Homebuilt engine built with the customer build program at Aerosport Power in Kamloops, BC. First flight from CYNJ Langley.
Kyle Wallace’s RV-12iS flew for the first time. Here’s more: After nearly five years of patient assembly, the day had finally arrived. The morning began with a thorough preflight inspection. An experienced pilot, and RV-12iS builder would be the test pilot for this first flight. The Rotax 912iS engine, already well-tested during taxi runs, started […] Read More
Kent Dornink flew his RV-14A for the first time. Here’s more: A day all builders dream of and can’t believe it when the day comes. Great flight. The hour planned in flight went fast!
Robert Kopeika’s RV-12 took to the skies for the first time. Here’s what he had to say: Flew great. 1200 hours and 250 Young Eagles since 2015.
Brian Berryhill flew his RV-14A for the first time. Here’s more: After losing my Cessna 182 when the airport flooded during Hurricane Helene, I purchased the kit partially assembled by another builder. He already had all kits except the firewall forward and already had an engine/prop. Immediately after taking delivery, I ordered avionics from Advanced […] Read More
Jonathan Howard’s RV-14 flew for the first time. Here’s more: This all started with a flight up the California coast, convincing my better half we should get a plane. Why buy when you can build? Three years and four months later, it all came down to one special day. Thank you for all the support […] Read More
George Fahmy’s RV-7 flew for the first time. Here’s more: After a 10 year journey, I finally flew N890GF for the first time. With my wonderful ground crew (my family) on the radio, and on the cameras, I performed a normal takeoff. When I climbed up to 900 ft, the engine stumbled and lost power […] Read More
John Salak recently flew his RV-12 for the first time. Here’s what he had to say: First flight was just over 10 years from the start of building. I made an early decision to go EAB because of the Honda 110 engine and installing an Avidyne IFD540 navigator. 100% custom wiring and panel (Dynon Skyview, […] Read More
Doug Hine’s RV-10 recently took the skies for the first time. Here’s what he had to say: After 6 years and 1 month, 235MM took to the skies. Beautiful Colorado morning. Pikes Peak in the background. Definitely had the “RV Grin” upon taxiing back. Thanks to Tom and Shawn for their advice and an occasional […] Read More
Stefan Schroeter’s RV-10 has gone aloft for the first time. Here’s more: My RV-14A wasn’t in the air yet when I let myself be persuaded to join a building project for a four-seat RV-10 as part of a building community. Based on my experience building my RV-7 and two RV-14s, the build was supposed to […] Read More
The Gentry and Brown RV-10 has flown! But there’s more to the story: One couple moving across states in Australia to build their dream, an RV-10. Why move? A number of reasons: The house in Perth Western Australia was not big enough and no real carport that was sealed. The nearest airport was 40 km […] Read More
“Today was a good day” for Mike Mitchell and the first flight of his RV-14A. Here’s more of the story: Throughout the entire build process, the goal is always a completed and fully functional flyable aircraft yet the finish line seems to sometimes stretch beyond reach. Until the day you tell yourself, “it’s time to […] Read More
