We learn of flying RVs in many different ways. Ideally, a builder will email us with a photo of his or her personal “RV grin.” Sometimes, they call on the phone, which is great but doesn’t provide us with anything to publish on the web. Sometimes 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 other occasions, we learn of a new batch of flying RVs from “RV factories” overseas, but without the individual details.
We’d like to see more RV grins here, so please send in 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!
Congrats to Bill Sallee on the first flight of his new RV-9! He writes in to tell us: Bought from a gentleman from Wisconsin that spent 10 plus years building and decided to sell, I finished her up and took her for her first flight, besides a couple of minor squawks, she flew straight and […] Read More
Greg writes in to tell us all about the first flight of his new RV-8A – Congratulations! It was a long time coming but it’s finally flying. My wife Dianne and I ordered our tail kit at SUN & FUN International Fly-In & Expo in 1998. I was given a demonstration flight in an RV-8 […] Read More
Steve writes in with his great news! Congrats! 1st flight of my new RV-7 performed by my good friend Rory Hansen (RV-6 builder/owner) and myself departing Payson (KPAN) around 4:30pm lasting a little over an hour as I worked to get the engine moving along on the break-in process, doing some basic stability tests, trim […] Read More
A belated report, but exciting and fun – Congrats to Denis! “After almost 40 years of flying helicopters it was time to fly some fixed wing A/C. After 12 years of part time building it all came together on Nov. 15, 2018. C-GWHL took off from Kingston (CYGK) and went up for initial flight. The […] Read More
Congrats to Denis on his new airplane! “After 9+ years of building the first flight is now in the books. EAA Chapter 33 Flight Advisor, Dave Lammers, sat in the right seat as my QP. There a few small things to adjust, but overall the flight went very well. Looking forward to many more.”
Well after 8 years and 8 months of building (and a ton of help) I finally received my Certificate of Airworthiness. Have been through Mike Seager’s training in the RV7 plus a few flights in a couple other taildraggers, I just needed the weather to cooperate. November 7th turned out to be the day, and […] Read More
Congrats to Jason, who’s RV grin tells the whole story. He writes to tell us: Happy to report N303XC, a RV-14, took to the air November 7th over Boulder, Colorado. Engine and airplane ran beautifully. Flew with my good friend and mentor through the qualified pilot program. Great to share the experience.
Congrats to Don, who writes in to tell us: 13 years to build between business trips. FAA airworthiness Inspection completed 10/25/2019, great experience. Transition training 11/02-03/19 with Chris Droege in Boise, money and time well spent. First flight 11/06/ 2019, went flawless Thanks to: Van’s for a great kit All those before me who shared […] Read More
John sends a couple photos and brief but exciting update on his first flight: “Slow quick build interrupted by work but flying at last. Fantastic aeroplane.”
Congrats to Ray, who writes: Had instructor Bob Salway ride with me. Weather at CYXX [Abbotsford] was CAVOK with no wind. Aeroplane is a slow build with a Titan O-320 D1A and a hartzell propeller. It has all Van’s steam gauges and a sliding canopy. The aeroplane jumped off the ground and established a positive […] Read More
Congrats to John on the first flight of his new RV-7! He writes: Flight was uneventful, YIO360-M1B with 72″ Hartzell CS prop (Vans engine/prop package), Dual 10″ G3X, GTN650, GMC307, GTR200, GTX45R, G5, GMA245, VPX PRO, left PMAG/right Slick. 168kts TAS at 75% power, 6500 ft msl at 21 deg F. A little over 2 […] Read More
Congratulations to Michael and July on their new airplane! They wrote in to tell us: July and I took just over 3 years to build the RV-10 quick build kit. We have a Barrett engine, Hotel Whiskey extended tanks, Anti Splat cowl flaps, airflow air conditioning and a panel by Rob Hickman’s team at advanced. […] Read More
Congrats to Lorenzo on the first flight of his new RV-9! After almost five years of what I thought would be a year, we took flight today. The 9 flew flawlessly for an hour with five great landings. I dedicate this plane to my dad for all the projects we never got in the air […] Read More
Congratulations to Ben on the first flight of his RV-10. He writes in to share his story and a video: This day finally arrived. After 13 1/2 years building my RV-10 N104EE took flight for the first time this afternoon on a gorgeous fall day in Coeur d Alene, ID. What a ride! Hard to […] Read More
Congrats to John on the completion and first flight of his RV-6A! “Another 20 year build. I started the tail kit in 1999, had the wings and fuselage assembled past the quick build stage, but life got in the in 2005 and I stopped work on it for the next 8 years. In 2013 after […] Read More
Mike Dooley of Lee’s Summit writes in to tell us all about the first flight of his new RV-8! Congrats, Mike! RV-8 N768RV took flight this afternoon! Awesome performance and handling and a smooth landing to cap off the flight. Thanks to Bill Gill for providing excellent transition training and for flying chase in his […] Read More
Congrats to William on the completion and first flight of his RV-8! He writes to tell us: After fourteen years of start and stop building (Airline Pilot Schedule) N159WP flew for 1 hour and fifteen minutes on September 26, 2019, and many more since. The airplane is a delight to fly, and gets accolades where […] Read More
Congrats to Hernan on his new RV-10! He writes in to tell us: First flight was pure joy. The plane trimmed well and flew hands off effortlessly. The controllability and maneuverability are everything I expected from the experiences of my RV owner friends. To finally fly an RV-10 was the culmination of one of our […] Read More
Xavier writes in from France to share his first-flight announcement with us! Hello Van’s community, Another one completed after 10 years of building. Nothing to add about the 8… Fantastic, easy to fly, performance! Thanks a lot to Van’s support which is just the best. “My Little Dream” is powered by a IO360 (180hp), is […] Read More
Congrats to Mike, who writes with some great news and advice to people who are building: N612AW took to the skies after 8 years of building. Many thanks to my patient wife and family. Also thanks to the riveting help of Don Hornick. The help and support of all the RV owners at KRNM and […] Read More