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 to Randy! He writes: After three years and four months N316KC took to the air. She flew flawlessly with only a few minor squawks. I could not be more happy. It is now time to get the forty hours flown off and prepare for Oshkosh. I have an awesome set of RV friends who […] Read More
Congratulations to Giovanni and Davide! They write: We started with the idea of taking 3-4 years to complete her but the pandemic has arrived and here we are with this beauty ready to ride the Alps and beyond… The first flight was without any hitches, I was impressed on the ground roll and the climb […] Read More
Congratulations Scott! First flight was Saturday April 30th at Brown Field in San Diego and lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes. The flight was totally uneventful with the exception of the stall warning buzzer not turning off after landing until I slowed to about 10 knots, couldn’t hear the controller in the tower until the […] Read More
Nice work David! He writes: After selling my Beech Musketeer and then 11 years and 1 month of building, finishing, electrical, and fretting every detail, N696RV finally flew tonight with me at the controls. Like most others, she flew hands off with no surprises, and no issues. Unfortunately, no pictures of the first flight but […] Read More
Congratulations Lewis! He writes: She is airborne and flying like an Eagle! I am so happy I got this kit done and ready for the first flight. I am very happy with the results. It took me 2.5 years to get done. The delay was due to PPL re-certification. First flight the weather was perfect! […] Read More
Congratulations Alan! First flight was successful. Test pilot John Tiplady with over 2000 RV-12 hours.
Congratulations Don! He writes: What an airplane! Bought a partially built kit at approx quick build stage and flew it for the first time Wednesday, May 11, 2022. I had a couple of little issues that I worked out. Running Barrett engine, 9/1 compression, cold air sump and Showplanes cowl, 292hp If you are building, […] Read More
After five years of building, my bird took flight on May 8, 2022 at Felts Field (KSFF). It performed perfectly, flying straight and true. I had to find a break in the severe weather for the flight, which had included two tornados and hailstorms in the previous 24 hours. Thanks to the Transition Training given […] Read More
Martin wrote in to let us know about his first flight in his RV-8. He writes: The first and second flights of my RV-8 occurred on Thursday, April 28, 2022 with test pilot David Carrick at the controls. The first flight was only five minutes; an unknown vibration occurred and David returned to the field. […] Read More
Congratulations to the Miller family on their new RV-10! Nathan writes: After working for 2 years and 5 months, N7244M took to the air on April 11, 2022. Luckily my wife Jennifer encouraged and helped me to tackle this project, and after taking a one day class at Synergy Air I was ready. My brother […] Read More
Congratulations Alan! I acquired this “90% complete – 90% to go” project in Sept 2020. The first builder passed away before completion and the second builder had health issues which prevented him from making any progress for about seven years. Changes in my work schedule (COVID) provided me the opportunity to take this on, including […] Read More
Congratulations to Steven! He writes: The first flight of my RV-7A, N974NA, was completed on April 8, 2022. That flight realized a lifelong dream that started when I was an aerospace engineering student at the University of Cincinnati. As a UC student I started in Huntsville, Alabama, a 40-year career with NASA in 9/74 (note […] Read More
Congratulations to James on his new RV-14A. He writes: Flawless first flight ! What an awesome experience. It flys so good! The 390 EXP 119 was smooth and ran cool. Couldn’t be happier.
Congratulations Mark! N94MS received its airworthiness certificate on March 7, 2022. On March 20, 2022 it had its first successful flight. The Thunderbolt IO-390 exp 119 and Hartzell 3-blade composite performed amazingly well. Thanks Van’s for great design. As a repeat offender this kits went together very quickly. Thanks to my many friends for their help […] Read More
Congratulations to Chris on his new RV-9A! He writes: Dear Folks at Van’s, I’m pleased to announce that the thirteen-year build of my RV-9A, S/N 91756, N111CT was recently finished, and the first flight was performed on January 11th with the very capable Mr. Tom Berge at the controls. The flight went quite well and […] Read More
Gerard and Susan wrote in to let us know about the first flight of their RV-14A: Our aircraft took to the sky in Inverell NSW Australia on the 15th March 2022 – under the Southern Cross. Time of flight was approximately 16:40 Australian Summer Time. Test pilot was David Brown (RV10 owner) from Caboolture Australia. […] Read More
Nice work Ivan! He writes: 22 months from first rivet to first flight. It has been an amazing experience once again, this is the second RV build, the first one was an RV-10 which was completed in 2010. The RV-14A was a SB fuselage and a QB wing. The first flight was 2.1 hours and […] Read More
Congratulations Thomas! He writes: Most people say this is a show plane. The color is custom, a mix of glass flake sapphire of the crystal alliance series, a one of a king paint job. The color changes from black to blue and a few different colors in between. Full IFR panel, two Garmin G3X touch, […] Read More
Congratulations to Glen on his new RV-7! He writes: I thoroughly enjoyed building the aircraft. I learned so much and gained so many new skills. There was frustration but more often a huge sense of accomplishment. Much of the enjoyment of the build came from having an incredibly supportive wife. She encouraged me to start […] Read More
Ulay writes in to tell the world about the first flight of the new RV-10 that he and his wife Kelly built! Finally, after 3 years and 9 months, we had our first flight. The exhilaration we felt made all the hard work and painstaking effort worth it. Thanks to my wonderful wife and building […] Read More
