Nice work Frank! He writes: I have been a pilot for most of my life and been flying for the airlines since 1996, at no time since my flying began did I ever think of owning my own airplane. Then one day out of the blue, I told my wife that I’d like to build […] Read More
Congratulations to Nathan! He writes: After 5 years of building my RV-7 took to the sky for the 1st time. It was a great day with a few friends coming out to watch. The plane flew flawlessly and I have now finished the 25hr testing phase. It’s been an awesome experience that has been challenging […] Read More
Tim wrote in to let us know about the first flight of his RV-7A: After more than 10 years of building, my project was ready for the first flight. Accompanied by my friend Harry van Altena, an experienced RV-7 owner as safety pilot, we performed the Maiden Flight at Lelystad Airport EHLE in The Netherlands […] Read More
Congratulations to Randy on his new RV-12iS! He writes: This was a family project. My youngest son helped with the wiring harnesses & avionics. My oldest son helped with the power-plant. My wife was the support, without which this dream could never have happened. The family involvement shows in the plane’s registration #N924SF … the […] Read More
Congratulations to Richard on his new RV-10! He writes: Happy to report the first flight of VH-XRK. Not quite 7 years in the making. A little more work than my first RV-7! Showplanes cowl. Garmin panel. Barrett Engine. It flies well. No issues to report. Looking forward to flying off the next 25h. Thanks so much to my […] Read More
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
