Mike Mitchell’s RV-14A | Charleston SC RV-14A #140762

“Today was a good day” for Mike Mitchell and the first flight of his RV-14A. Here’s more of the story:

Throughout the entire build process, the goal is always a completed and fully functional flyable aircraft yet the finish line seems to sometimes stretch beyond reach. Until the day you tell yourself, “it’s time to put away the builders tools of wrenches, rivet guns, and crimpers and be the pilot in the machine you built.”

Today was that day for me. My RV-14A escaped the bonds of earth for her hour long maiden flight without a hitch. True to form, the aircraft, engine, and prop performed near perfectly. Fortunately, the quantitative errors of my riveting, shaping, and bending of sheet metal resulted in a net zero sum and she flew straight and level with only minor trim inputs. Thanks to Van’s Aircraft for producing a great kit, and to the family and friends who supported me along the way.

Today was a good day.