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!
Thierry writes in to tell the tale of this new RV-8! Hello Vans’ community, I am sending you this e-mail to let you know that RV-8 SN82013’s maiden flight took place in Toulouse – France on 08/13/2019. It took us 14 years to complete our RV-8. The engine is an Aero Sport Power IO-375 with […] Read More
Ed Hicks (editor of Flyer magazine in the UK) writes in to tell us all about the maiden voyage of the RV-8 that he and Steve Ayers built! Just over 7 years since we started planning for the project, RV-8 G-MIRV made it’s first flight on the 1st of July in the hands of co-builder […] Read More
Congrats to William Wilson on the first flight of his new RV-7A! After 7.5 years my RV-7A project has officially become an airplane as N247BW. Airworthiness inspection was performed on 8/2 by Ted Gauthier. The inspection went very well and I found the experience quite enjoyable. Immediately after the inspection was completed, all of the […] Read More
Congrats to Dan and Brian on the completion and first flight of their RV-7A! This build was a joint effort, both Brian and I have always loved the RV brand. Our build was initially started by Wayne Reese who purchased the kit from Van’s. Wayne built the wings and tail surfaces but due to health […] Read More
RV-8 slow build #82059 I forgot to inform you about my first flight in my new Van’s RV-8 – callsign OE-VFP. After 9 years slow-build time first flight was in June 2018 by my friend and also RV-8 builder Wolfgang Paungartner. After some training flights with Wolfgang, i was flying my airplane alone and safely. […] Read More
Congrats to TeenFlight in Puyallup, Washington on their fourth RV-12! TeenFlight Puyallup celebrated the first flight of their student built TF4 aircraft (RV-12 ULS), their 4th completed RV-12. Marv Scott piloted the plane and reported she flew great! A couple more flights will be made before delivering it to the paint shop. Final testing will […] Read More
Andy writes to tell us of the first flight of his RV-12 in Australia! I purchased the kit from a guy in Canberra who had lost his license and gave up on the build, it was my first plane build and it was so much fun. I elected to be a little different and put […] Read More
Jack writes in to tell us his new RV-10 has flown for the first time, and that the “RV Grin” is real! “First flight went well, with no major squawks except CHTs were high on the front two cylinders. Before making the second flight I removed the air dams on the baffle ramps and on […] Read More
Mike and Al wrote in to tell us about the first flight on their new RV–14A! After a rewarding build process, our RV-14A took to the air for the first time on August 24th, 2019. Co-builder Michael Mahon performed the initial flight, it was an exhilarating experience but completely void of any issues. The aircraft […] Read More
Congratulations to Steve on his RV-9A’s first flight! After a six year build C-GVYT took to the air on December 18, 2018. The aircraft has been a joy to fly. It’s a great cross-country machine with the highlight so far being a trip to AirVenture 2019 in Osh. I enjoyed the entire building process and […] Read More
David writes in to tell us about the first flight of his RV-9A. Congrats, David! ”After three and a half years of building, my friend and trusted pilot Stever Beaver took my plane for its first flight. According to Steve, it is ‘a very well balanced, very smooth and gentle flying airplane. It was an […] Read More
Congrats to Denny on the first flight of his RV-12! ”A bucket list project that finally moved to the top. A copy of the ‘Dyke Delta’ is on the bookshelf from college days to give you a clue. The build experience was a hoot, precision kit, great Van’s support and a great finished project. Transition […] Read More
Here’s the great news from Tom! ”I’m happy to report that after a 6.5yr build, N432TM took to the air for the first time. First flight was successful and I’m looking forward to flying the 40hr test period and learning how to fly my new plane! Van’s, Thanks for a great Aircraft!“
John’s report on the first flight of his new bird! ”Hi, my RV-7 VH-BBU had her maiden flight yesterday (Aug 17) in the hands of the legendary Nigel Arnot. He reports that she flies beautifully and all temps and pressures where they should be. Many people have contributed to this result, and the skills I’ve […] Read More
Nice Job, Ian and congrats on your first flight! “I started building my first amateur built aircraft in June 2014 with the help of three friends who have built an RV4, RV7A and two Midget Mustangs between them. Most of the work was done in the evenings or weekends in my shed in the backyard […] Read More
Congrats to Alex – and family – on the first flight of his new RV-7! “8 years, 4 months, and 12 days ago a young married couple launched their dream of building an airplane. Today our RV-7 took flight for the first time. Soaring to 4000ft over the fields of Lincoln, CA N759AQ flew beautifully. […] Read More
Of his new conventional-gear RV-9’s first flight, Tom tells us: ”The airplane flew like a dream, straight and true. After 12 and a half years, today was a dream come true.” Congrats!
Congrats to Thomas on his first flight! Here is his report: After 5.5 years of building from slow kits, my RV-14A took flight. I have to thank John B. for doing the honors, I know when I am out-skilled and left it to his very capable hands. The plane flew beautifully and the Thunderbolt Lycoming […] Read More
Congrats to Mark on his new RV-14a, and for being chosen to display it at Oshkosh this year in the Lycoming booth! His report: After 3 years of construction, N435MD took flight for the first time. The plane is even more fun to fly than it was to build, and I really enjoyed the building […] Read More
Brian writes in about the first flight of his RV-7! Congrats! This is the aircraft I have always wanted: it is a dream to fly, short take-off roll, climbs without effort, extremely light on the controls and super quick, we were 167 Knots indicated at 25″ and 2500 rpm. Staying close to the field when […] Read More