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 to do it!
Congratulations Ben! He writes: I started the slow build project in October 2018 and I’m pleased to say it flew in July 2023! It’s had a year in a bit of limbo, flying in primer and the addition of a few modifications but now it’s painted I can say it’s finally finished! I’ve enjoyed fixing […] Read More
Congratulations to Nathan on his new RV-12iS! He writes: After 4 years and 1 month of building our RV-12iS flew for the first time. Except for needing to adjust the rudder tab, it flew straight and true. Thanks Van for the great airplane. It has been a great retirement project.
Congrats to Rod on his RV-6! It took me 35 years to get this thing flying. I would just lose interest for sometimes years at a time, but I always got back to it. I am so appreciative of Van’s that they were always there during that time for parts and help.
Congratulations to the Ellersdorfer family on their new RV-10! Christian writes: On August 10, 2023, after more than five years of building, our RV-10 took off for the first time in LOKW (Austria). It was an overwhelming feeling to finally be able to fly the first RV-10 in Austria after so many hours in the […] Read More
Congratulations to Adrien on the completion of his new RV-7! He writes: Building the RV-7 was an amazing experience. The planning, the days spent in the hangar with my friend Xavier (also a builder), the questions, and solving (small) issues – I miss all of that today! On March 20th, after 4 years of building, […] Read More
Congrats to Kevern on the first flight of his RV-10! Today I test flew one of three RV’s ordered. We ordered full kits of the following aircraft a RV-7,RV-8 and a RV-10. The RV-7 is in final finishing stage the RV-8 is at finishing stage and the RV-10 flew today. The RV never disappoints, this […] Read More
Congratulations to Kevin on the first flight of his RV-7! He writes: N575KD is based at KHUF in Terre Haute, IN. The airport was very accommodating with the first few flight circling above class D airspace. First five flights were conducted by Elliot Abel and he completed many of the EAA task based cards for […] Read More
Congrats Dave! Rolled down the runway, and it tracked well. Felt the stick get “light”, and then I was off. It wasn’t until I was at 1100 ft, that I said to myself, well it flies and the enormity of it started to sink in. Followed Mike Busch’s recommendations on how to properly break in […] Read More
Great work, Michael! He writes: Building this aircraft has been a journey of highs and lows and a test of patience and a lesson in persistence, flying this wonderful piece of engineering is well worth the price of admission. A big Thank You to everybody at Van’s Aircraft, Van’s AirForce and EAA Tech Councilor Bob […] Read More
Congratulations to Scott on the completion of his fourth RV! He writes: Fourth first flight in personal RVs that I built over the last 20 years. Flew great with a slightly heavy left wing and too flat prop pitch. It climbed like crazy but would quickly hit the yellow for straight and level. Now have […] Read More
Congrats to Greg on his RV-7A! He writes: Greg Miller finally flew his RV-7A for the first time on Aug 14, 2024. It was perfect morning with light and variable winds and cooler than it had been for weeks. I spent 43 minutes orbiting the field with a big grin on my face. The airplane […] Read More
Congratulations Chris! I am proud to announce that serial #74866 took its first flight early in the morning on Sunday 8/11/2024. I was the test pilot and received 5+ hours of transition training from Alex DeDominicis, referenced from the Van’s website. He did an outstanding job, which gave me the confidence for my first flight! […] Read More
Congratulations to James on completing his first flight with his RV-14. He writes: “The Spirit of Jack Gilfillan” is a tribute to my father. Three generations of Gilfillan’s at Villanova University with my dad leading the way (‘56, me ‘92, Dave ‘22, Annie ‘24). He walked on to campus on a scholarship when he was […] Read More
Cheers to Noah! Congratulations on your first flight. Exactly 700 days after the first kit arrived, N412BZ became a real airplane with a successful first flight out of Allegheny County Airport (KAGC). An hour of circling the airport revealed no squawks and an engine that was breaking in nicely. 85 hours of Phase I and […] Read More
Congratulations Bob! After 5 years building, I finally took to the skies with a very uneventful and smooth flight from Conroe/North Houston Regional Airport. I flew for about 25 minutes before returning for a nice landing. The airplane flew beautifully just like it was designed. I was so pleased with how easy it was to […] Read More
Congrats to Paul on the completion of his retirement project! He writes: This is my retirement project. It took a bit longer than expected, both due to not putting as much time as expected and to COVID delays. First flight was about 1/2 hour at Glendale AZ airport. Biggest squawks were that the nose wheel […] Read More
Congratulations to Rick on his new RV-14A! He writes: Standard build. Flies great! Impressed with the performance. I worked with the Nashville FSDO for my AWC portal submission and inspection. They were very helpful and great to work with.
Congratulations to Homer on completing his first flight with his RV-14A. He shares: I started this project in October 2016 and after only 7 years 9 months, and 3108 labor hours (weekends only, slow-build), N861FM took to the skies for the first time. It is a solid flyer with no bad tendencies. It flies straight […] Read More
Great work, Joe! He writes: Uneventful 30 minutes 4000 ft above the field at South Albany Airport (4B0). Uneventful except for my RV Grin. A tremendous satisfaction after almost 5 years of building. New YO-360-A1A Catto 3 blade Vetterman exhaust w/mufflers Full IFR Dynon panel with 2 10” touch screens. I recently returned from transition […] Read More
Congratulations Jerry! He writes: It took just under five years to complete my slow build RV-10. First flight took place on a calm, cool March morning and was completely uneventful. Airplane flew as expected with no issues – still grinning after every flight. Special thanks to Vic Syracuse for the advice during the build, DAR […] Read More
