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 Nigel! Bought in September 2020 as an 80% complete project where the original builder had to give up due to health issues. Original steam gauge panel replaced with Garmin G3x touch. Every weekend holiday etc for past 15 months spent finishing the project. First flight undertaken by Jim Greenshields and reports that she flies […] Read More
Congratulations to Erik on the recent completion of his RV-14! He writes: In the final moments, I questioned everything. Have I done enough to get the result I want? Will I live to see tomorrow? I countered this with positive thoughts like – I’m not the first person to do this, it’s a proven design, […] Read More
Alan wrote in to let us know about the first flight of his RV-9A: The first flight of our RV-9A occurred on Memorial Day last Spring. The first flight was totally uneventful except for the RV grin. Stalls were docile and speeds matched Van’s numbers. Empty weight came in at 1083 with a ECI Titan […] Read More
Congratulations Calvin! He writes: Having owned an RV-8 years back, I am very impressed with my RV-14. I have the EXP engine and this thing is a rocket. I was lucky to get the weather this time of the year to cooperate, as I have my 25 hours flown off at this time. I was […] Read More
Marcel wrote in to let us know about the recent first flight of his RV-7: After four years of building, I finally finished my RV-7 now known as the PH-MNX. Since I only have a little over 80 hours ‘under my belt’ and had never landed an RV-7, I decided to take a ‘safety pilot’ […] Read More
Congratulations to Neil on his new RV-3! He writes: Received my kit in 2013 and started my build in September 2019. Having previously built an RV-8 in 2005 I thought that I would quickly come to grips with this RV-3 build. This was not the case as many RV-3 builders will confirm. I decided on […] Read More
Brian wrote in to let us know about the first flight of his RV-7: Van’s, Some might say my journey is over, others that mine has just begun. I like to think that I am only halfway through a book and I have moved on to the next chapter. I started my journey on my […] Read More
Congratulations David! My inspection was completed on 11/30 and then it was just waiting for the right day. Day after Christmas was 22 and sunny with light winds out of the southeast. What a Christmas present. First flight was the reward for nine years of building.
Congratulations to Martin! He writes: N818PP took her initial flight on a spring-like Christmas Eve day from Cape Fear Regional Jetport in Southport, NC. She circled the airport three times at 3000 ft then flew 60 NM to KCTZ and back at 75% power at a top IAS of 154 kts and 180 kts ground […] Read More
Congratulations to Lee, he writes: My RV-8 took to the skies for the first time on Dec 4th with Nigel Speedy at the controls. It was a perfect day for a test flight with clear skies and low winds. Nigel reported that it flew great and there were only a few minor squawks. The airplane […] Read More
Congratulations to Joe on the recent flight of his beautiful RV-6! He writes: Long awaited First Flight and First Landing successfully flown by Glen Brigland Australia followed by two more flights totalling 1.8 hrs on 21st December 2021. Issues encountered: Intermittent fuel senders Intermittent pilot microphone Low CHT’s (for a new engine) Other than that […] Read More
Congrats to Larry, who writes to tell us: On August 28, 2021 around 9 o’clock in the morning, N40WB, a Van’s RV-7A serial number 71857 took off on its first flight from Shannon Airport in Fredricksburg, Virginia. At the controls was my son in law, Sean Black. His comments on the flight were, “ Flight […] Read More
Congratulations to Keith on the first flight of his RV-12! Thanks to all at Van’s Aircraft for making me feel throughout my six year build that I was your only customer. Thank you to all my mates in New Zealand who supported me in this project, and especially to David Campbell-Morrison for contemporary RV-12 build […] Read More
Congratulations to Jon! He writes: QuickBuild wings and fuselage along with a very nice custom panel from Aerotronics allowed me to complete my RV-14A in about 19 months, working mostly in my garage. The kit and instructions were excellent! First flight was smooth, wonderful performance and handling!
Congratulations to Ron, Braden and Kerry. They write: After three weeks of weather and mechanical delays, Dec 19 was the day RV-14A 140457 took to the air. Definitely left the RV grin on pilot Ron Brenton’s face. Now it’s partner Braden Dehaan’s and my turn. What an incredible machine Van’s produced with the RV-14.
Congratulations to Reilly, who recently wrote in to tell us about the first flight of his new RV: My RV-12 was built over a 12 year period. During this time I moved to a different house 4 times. Powered by an Aeromomentum AM15 engine. I have learned an unbelievable amount during this build and it has been a […] Read More
Congratulations Fred! He writes: After a 9 1/2 year slow build, N322RV, a RV-9A took to the skies for her maiden flight on Oct. 4, 2021. With some very good transition training I was able to complete the first flight which resulted in no major issues. I was amazed at how smooth and responsive the […] Read More
Isaac wrote in to let us know about the first flight of his RV-10: With my wife, daughter, son-in-law and two grandkids watching, this wasn’t the time to get jittery. In fact, I was concentrating so much on the flight that I didn’t have time to get the jitters. Engine power was right where it […] Read More
Congratulations to Larry on the completion and first flight of his RV-3: Larry never really intended to finish his second RV kit, an early RV-3. He just enjoyed building. After some years and few hiatuses, he inevitably ran out of excuses to fly it. On August 12th, she was pointed skyward. She’s just recently completed […] Read More
Congratulations Colin! First flight was June 28, 2019 out of Aerocountry (T31)
