FIrst FLights

Congratulations Guy! This kit was started in Iowa by Peter James. Purchased in 2021, transported to Florida and finished by Guy Pessina.

Congratulations Rob! He writes: I’m a little late with my first flight report…. After selling an RV-8 in 2018 that I had owned for 4.5 years (650 hrs of flying) I thought I was going to get into back country flying. I almost immediately regretted selling the RV-8. I searched and searched for another one […] Read More

Congratulations to John, who recently wrote in to let us know about the first flight in his RV-7A: Aircraft was inspected and certified December 2021. I went for two day transition training with Chris Droege in Boise, one of Van’s recommended transition trainers. Exactly what an old guy pilot like me (75) was looking for. […] Read More

Congratulations to Joe on his new RV-7! He writes: After 14.5 years of build time RV-7 serial #72965 first flight was conducted at my home base of Martinsburg, WV (KMRB). Crazy long build time was due to many factors, including the normal life stuff (young kids, job, moves, etc.). More likely reason was that I […] Read More

My RV-7A took to the skies on Sunday Jan 9 for an uneventful 30 minutes after a little less than 2 1/2 years of building during a pandemic and 2 moves. I’m eager to finish the fairings and get her in the paint shop which won’t be long now. Don’t give up, it’s well worth […] Read More

Congratulations Nigel! Bought in September 2020 as an 80% complete project where the original builder had to give up due to health issues. Original steam gauge panel replaced with Garmin G3x touch. Every weekend holiday etc for past 15 months spent finishing the project. First flight undertaken by Jim Greenshields and reports that she flies […] Read More

Congratulations to Erik on the recent completion of his RV-14! He writes: In the final moments, I questioned everything. Have I done enough to get the result I want? Will I live to see tomorrow? I countered this with positive thoughts like – I’m not the first person to do this, it’s a proven design, […] Read More

Alan wrote in to let us know about the first flight of his RV-9A: The first flight of our RV-9A occurred on Memorial Day last Spring. The first flight was totally uneventful except for the RV grin. Stalls were docile and speeds matched Van’s numbers. Empty weight came in at 1083 with a ECI Titan […] Read More

Congratulations Calvin! He writes: Having owned an RV-8 years back, I am very impressed with my RV-14. I have the EXP engine and this thing is a rocket. I was lucky to get the weather this time of the year to cooperate, as I have my 25 hours flown off at this time. I was […] Read More

Marcel wrote in to let us know about the recent first flight of his RV-7: After four years of building, I finally finished my RV-7 now known as the PH-MNX. Since I only have a little over 80 hours ‘under my belt’ and had never landed an RV-7, I decided to take a ‘safety pilot’ […] Read More

Congratulations to Neil on his new RV-3! He writes: Received my kit in 2013 and started my build in September 2019. Having previously built an RV-8 in 2005 I thought that I would quickly come to grips with this RV-3 build. This was not the case as many RV-3 builders will confirm. I decided on […] Read More

Brian wrote in to let us know about the first flight of his RV-7: Van’s, Some might say my journey is over, others that mine has just begun. I like to think that I am only halfway through a book and I have moved on to the next chapter. I started my journey on my […] Read More

Congratulations David! My inspection was completed on 11/30 and then it was just waiting for the right day. Day after Christmas was 22 and sunny with light winds out of the southeast. What a Christmas present. First flight was the reward for nine years of building.

Congratulations to Martin! He writes: N818PP took her initial flight on a spring-like Christmas Eve day from Cape Fear Regional Jetport in Southport, NC. She circled the airport three times at 3000 ft then flew 60 NM to KCTZ and back at 75% power at a top IAS of 154 kts and 180 kts ground […] Read More

Congratulations to Lee, he writes: My RV-8 took to the skies for the first time on Dec 4th with Nigel Speedy at the controls. It was a perfect day for a test flight with clear skies and low winds. Nigel reported that it flew great and there were only a few minor squawks. The airplane […] Read More

Congratulations to Joe on the recent flight of his beautiful RV-6! He writes: Long awaited First Flight and First Landing successfully flown by Glen Brigland Australia followed by two more flights totalling 1.8 hrs on 21st December 2021. Issues encountered:  Intermittent fuel senders Intermittent pilot microphone Low CHT’s (for a new engine) Other than that […] Read More

Congrats to Larry, who writes to tell us: On August 28, 2021 around 9 o’clock in the morning, N40WB, a Van’s RV-7A serial number 71857 took off on its first flight from Shannon Airport in Fredricksburg, Virginia. At the controls was my son in law, Sean Black. His comments on the flight were, “ Flight […] Read More

Congratulations to Keith on the first flight of his RV-12! Thanks to all at Van’s Aircraft for making me feel throughout my six year build that I was your only customer. Thank you to all my mates in New Zealand who supported me in this project, and especially to David Campbell-Morrison for contemporary RV-12 build […] Read More

Congratulations to Jon! He writes: QuickBuild wings and fuselage along with a very nice custom panel from Aerotronics allowed me to complete my RV-14A in about 19 months, working mostly in my garage. The kit and instructions were excellent! First flight was smooth, wonderful performance and handling!

Congratulations to Ron, Braden and Kerry. They write: After three weeks of weather and mechanical delays, Dec 19 was the day RV-14A 140457 took to the air. Definitely left the RV grin on pilot Ron Brenton’s face. Now it’s partner Braden Dehaan’s and my turn. What an incredible machine Van’s produced with the RV-14.