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 venues. 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!
Travis wrote in to tell us all about his RV-7 first flight, which happened recently in December. Congrats, Travis! Hi Van’s, Just wanted to let you know that RV-7 #74585 received it’s Airworthiness from an FAA inspector the first week of December and made it’s first flight on December 19th 2019 after 3 years and […] Read More
A huge congrats to Brian, who writes in and sends photos of his RV Grin, and tells us about the first flight of his brand-new RV-7 that took place today! “The plane flew just like every amazing story you’ve ever heard about an RV. It launched off the runway at close to gross weight and […] Read More
It’s actually been 19 years since Chris first flew his RV-4, but we are super glad for the belated report! “What a fun journey. This project took 2 years and 3 months to complete. Over the years this plane has been a great source of enjoyment for me. She is VFR with an IO-360 and […] Read More
Congrats to Russell on the first flight of his new RV-8! He writes: First flight made from Jandakot airport in Western Australia after a convoluted 12 year build. The first flight went well with no major issues to report and initial performance looks promising. Thanks to Van’s for supplying a great product. Also a big […] Read More
Congrats to John, who wrote in to tell us this about the first flight of his new RV-9: “Perfect flight, flew straight, no major squawks, best 3 point landing ever. Thanks Van!”
Congrats to Dave, who sends us the story of how he came to build and fly his new RV-12iS! I was about 11 years old and I always loved the idea of taking apart things, I admit having trouble getting them back together. I loved to build plastic Revell model airplanes that I hung from […] Read More
Congrats to Ken, who writes in about the first flight of his new RV-14A: Today was the feeling of great accomplishment. Actually flying this plane truly brings that RV grin to my face. Those summer days here in AZ sweating it out in a hot hangar seemed endless. Sticking to 6 – 10 hours a […] Read More
Dave writes in to tell us about the first flight of his new RV! Van’s RV-7A N47HM received her airworthiness certificate a week ago and had her first flight today after two previous attempts halted due to troubleshooting fouled plugs, faulty airspeed readings, and carbon monoxide leaks. A rare week of rain in Southern California […] Read More
Mike writes in to let us all know: Pleased to say N664K my RV-14A #140049 is officially complete. First flight was in July of last year, flew straight and true from the start with no issues at all. Just got her back from Aces High Aircraft Refinishing based right here in Hays, KS and couldn’t […] Read More
Douglas’ first flight is short, sweet and to the point! “Absolute perfect day for a perfect flight. Well worth the wait!” Congrats!
Rick sent us this report from British Columbia about the first flight of his latest RV build, an RV-7A! First flight. All went well. Good trim and strength forward. The normal big RV grin that I’ve had before as this is my fifth grin in twenty-four years. This girl is fondly called “Ruby 2” as […] Read More
Congrats to Ken, who sends in this report on his first flight: This particular airplane is my second RV (I previously built an -8 which first flew in 2002) and, over the last 21 months spent working on it, I’ve renewed my acquaintance with the RV community (the very best part of building an RV!) […] Read More
Steve’s report was short and sweet: “Thanks Van’s staff for the great design.”
Joe writes to tell about his RV-10’s first flight: First flight was a blast, can’t wait to do some traveling. 5 days a week x 104 weeks = 1 RV-10. Used the EAA Flight Test Guide to develop my test profiles. Flew perfectly trimmed, discovered some new unknowns that only flight testing can reveal. More […] Read More
Phil writes to share his first flight story: Today was the long-anticipated first flight of N1414A. She took 2 3/4 years to complete and was a complete joy every step of the way. She flew great with no squawks at all. I can’t wait to get her in the air again and work through the […] Read More
Congrats to JR on the first flight of his new airplane! He writes: “Today my RV-8 had its first flight and an additional 4 hours of flight time. It was a good day and I am so happy I could bust. The airplane flew straight right out of the box. Thank You.”
Congrats to Andrew, who writes in to tell us: First flight by RAAus instructor Will Owen. One circuit. No issues. Very happy with Vans and kit. One of four flying in Western Australia.
William writes in to let us all know about his new RV-7 – Congrats! 12 yrs, 9mos and 1 day since starting construction. And it was a Quick Build! Hey, life is busy. Failure is not an option. I could not have done it without family support, as well as VAF, Mike Bullock’s and Dan […] Read More
We received this report from New Zealand about the first flight of this student-build RV-12. Congrats to the whole team! Peter Steers, project manager, selected 12 Young Eagles and Air Cadets to join the project “Hawkes Bay Student Aircraft Build.” The project was completely funded by grants from around the Hawkes Bay community. When completed […] Read More
Greg writes in to report the first flight of his new RV-8! I bought this as a project someone else had started. With LOTS of help, I finally got the airworthiness complete and enjoyed the first flight! What a great airplane – thanks Van’s Aircraft!