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!
Patrick DiEugenio’s RV-10 flew for the first time. Here’s more: After just over four years of building N615PD with my wife and our two boys, we completed the first flight today. The build was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, and sharing the process with my family made it even more meaningful. We’re excited to […] Read More
Daniel Gagnon’s RV-14 flew for the first time. Here’s more: I picked up the first kit of my then RV-14A, on December 30th, 2022. By January 3rd, I had completed the first parts and made the decision she would be an RV14, so I quickly ordered the correct tailwheel parts and never looked back. My […] Read More
Freddy Fink’s RV-8 flew for the first time. Here’s more: On the morning of July 22nd, I finally flew my RV-8 for the first time. I bought the kit at the end of 2022 from another builder who had already riveted the empennage and then sold the project due to personal reasons. After about three-and-a-half […] Read More
Guy Ingersoll’s RV-8 flew for the first time. Here’s more: I spent three years and 1,700 hours building my RV-8. My first flight went well, flying around the airfield. I did a couple of stalls to find the Vs0 and Vs1 and practiced my landing procedure at 3000 AGL. Les Bourne was my EAA Flight […] Read More
Brian Chesteen’s RV-12iS flew for the first time. Here’s more: Incredibly blessed to be a part of the Van’s Aircraft community! I am a prior RV-7 builder and have been out of the saddle for several years. The RV-12iS is an amazing aircraft! The first flight was uneventful with no squawks! The only thing I’m […] Read More
Donnie Bailey’s RV-9A flew for the first time. Here’s more: Three-and-a-half years ago, I set the first rivet in my Van’s RV-9A slow build. I wired 100% of my avionics. This is the most stable coordinated aircraft I’ve ever flown. A special “thanks” to everyone who helped me along the way. Looking forward to many […] Read More
Sal Capra’s RV-6A flew for the first time. Here’s more: N62SC made her first flight with no surprises. It has renewed my RV Grin. This is my third RV. A number of years ago I purchased N42917, an RV-4. I flew it until I completed N898SC, my RV-8. This time I decided on an “A” […] Read More
Bill Scanlon’s RV-14 flew for the first time. Here’s more: What a feeling to build and fly my own airplane! My first flight in RV-14, N4014 occurred early morning July 17, 2025. In June of 2021, my daughter Caroline and I started this project under the careful guidance of Synergy Air in Eugene, OR. After […] Read More
Eddie Avila’s RV-9 flew for the first time. Here’s more: I might hold the record for longest build, lasting around 26 years. Life got in the way many times but I persevered. My sweet 9 took to the air and flies beautifully. The wing is amazing and plenty rudder, low time tailwheel pilot and it […] Read More
Christofer Burman’s RV-8 flew for the first time. Here’s more: First flight in the RV-8! ✈️ What an unforgettable experience! From the moment the wheels left the ground, I understood why so many pilots love this incredible aircraft. Responsive, elegant, and an absolute joy to fly. Grateful for this milestone and already looking forward to […] Read More
The Yuba-Sutter RV-12iS Student Build Team’s RV-12iS flew for the first time. Here’s more: For the past several years, high school students from the Yuba City/Marysville area of Northern California have been working together to build a Vans RV-12iS aircraft. Although the program was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, we returned to the project with […] Read More
Dona’d Stehler’s RV-14A flew for the first time. Here’s more: It took about seven years to build. I wish I had finished it sooner! It’s a joy to fly, and I’m hoping to take it to Oshkosh this year. YouTube videos of the first flight (I am the test pilot): First take-off: First Landing:
Carl Peltzer’s RV-14A flew for the first time. Here’s more: After over 12 years of building N272GB took to the air! She flew very well. Landing was very smooth!
Robert Ensley’s RV-14A flew for the first time. Here’s more: Nice lift off from KVCB at 8 AM with calm winds. Stable take off climb at 1,000 ft/minute up to flight level 5,000 ft agl. First hour of flight recorded Engine break-in temps between 377 to 403 averages. Airframe was also stable in turns and […] Read More
Eileen Bjorkman’s RV-8 flew for the first time. Here’s more: I took my RV-8 into the air at 10:27 this morning (June 1) at the airport in Eugene, Oregon and flew for about 30 minutes. The plane flew very well overall except for some right wing heaviness. The low-pitch stop on the propeller also needed […] Read More
Bob Collins’s RV-12iS flew for the first time. Here’s more: The first flight of the second RV I’ve built was a quick ferry flight to a nearby airport as my home airport does not allow experimentals to return under they’re out of Phase I. Flight testing was relatively uneventful with adjustments quickly made. This is […] Read More
Peter Nunn’s RV-3 flew for the first time. Here’s more: Quite uneventful. Climbed overhead field to 2500, practiced landing and did one. Huge RV Grin at end of it.
David and Evelyn Harris’s RV-12iS flew for this first time. Here’s more on the project and flight: N912EH, a Vans RV-12iS, had her first flight on Monday. My daughter Evelyn, a senior Aeronautical Science major at Embry-Riddle in Prescott, came out to be the test pilot. All systems were normal. She emerged with the RV […] Read More
Jerre Hill’s RV-12 flew for the first time. Here’s more: I’m hereby claiming the title of “Longest Time to Build an RV-12.” After 14.5 years, including a move from North Carolina to Colorado, I made the first flight on 5/12/2026. My friend/CFI Bill Snodgrass was my additional pilot. No heavy wing, no leaks, the airplane […] Read More
Eric Wingert’s RV-12iS flew for the first time. Here’s more: The first flight was on a breezy afternoon. The airplane flew flawlessly, as if it’s flown a hundred times prior. Couldn’t be happier as I get to know my project in a new way. What a machine!
