John Salley didn’t let the distance from home to build location deter him, resulting in a newly flying RV-12iS. Here’s the story: I built the plane 4 hours from my home, at my son’s shop in Wilmington, NC. I made the trip every 3-4 weeks, usually for 4-5 intense 12-14 hour days each time. Even […] Read More
Alan Bumbaugh just flew his brightly painted RV-7A. Here’s the story: I’ve finished eating the elephant. On October 10, 2025, kit number 73672, N287M, under the guidance of my mentor and additional pilot Jim Harris, lifted off for the first time. Initially a short hop to 25 feet altitude and taxi back for flight to […] Read More
Dan Frazier’s “fun project” during COVID just became an airplane: Dan tells the full story: Like many others, my build started as a COVID project. Seemed like an impossible thing to build an airplane, but I figured the empennage kit could be a fun project amid a lonely time of social distancing. Worst case, I […] Read More
Rick DeGroff RV-14A became a flying machine this month, reminding us that “the effort is worth it.” Here’s his story: On November 1, 2025, I had my first flight in the Vans RV-14A that I started in May 2019. This was a “slow-build” and I had no previous airplane building experience prior to starting. At […] Read More
Philippe Heer’s RV-14 is now among the flying! Philippe tells the story: What a super day it was here at the West Houston Airport (KIWS). After five years and four months on my first build, a perfect flight without issues is in the books. My builder’s log shows 610 days of building that translates to […] Read More
Ryan Moss got his RV-7A into the air from Starks Twin Oaks Airpark, a very short flight from Van’s HQ. Here’s how he tells it: Takeoff was at 10:50 from 7S3, and I was accompanied by a chase plane and a ground crew. Once I took a moment to unwind a little, confident that the […] Read More
Another RV-14A has joined the ranks of the flying! Barry Wawrin describes the event: Departed Akron Fulton International Airport (KAKR) on the afternoon of October 26, 2025. The weather forecasted beautiful blue skies but it was somewhat surprisingly bumpy. Nevertheless, the aircraft circled the airdrome at 4,000 feet MSL for 1.2 hours. No major problems […] Read More
Ross Anderson’s RV-7A has taken to the air. Ross, clearly a “man of few words,” reports: Piloted by Air Force/NASA/RV vet Jim Van Laak. Flew basic first-flight maneuvers for 25 minutes at KFCI. Upon landing, he rolled back the canopy and reported “This plane flies great!” Multiple friends/helpers in attendance!
Yet another amazing RV-14A takes to the skies, this time in Switzerland. After 5 1/2 years of building as a couple in an old yoghurt factory near Bern, HB-YZI made her first flight on the morning of September 18th, 2025. Conditions were perfect, with Ulrich at the controls and Yvonne Mettler watching from the ground. […] Read More
Tony Kirk literally needs no introduction — but we’ll give him one anyway. Multi RV builder, former Van’s factory rivet pounder, and instigator of one of the more unusual paint schemes ever. Now’s he’s completed an RV-12iS. We’ll let him tell the rest: After building an RV-6A (FF 2005) and a Bronze Lindy winning RV-7 […] Read More
Phil Sprang just flew his RV-14 for the first time. Here’s how he tells is: It was a Tuesday and that was my standard answer when people asked when I was going to fly it. After three and a half years of mostly solo building, I got to re-live the exact same feeling of my […] Read More
Daniel Snow, one of our many “repeat offenders,” just flew his RV-14A. We’ll let him take it from here: After selling the RV-9A that I built and flew 10 years earlier, I swore that I would never build another airplane. But like many RV builders, I missed the excitement of completing a wing, a fuselage, […] Read More
Mark Hall just completed first flight of his RV-14A. Here’s his report: At just under two thousand hours of building over three years, N83MV flew for the first time today at KCPP. Incredible airplane and kit. Lycoming Thunderbolt YIO-390-EXP340, Beringer wheels, brakes, and hoses from Aircraft Specialty Flightlines, interior from Classic Aero Designs and Garmin […] Read More
Michael Alexander flew his RV-7A back in April, but has been busy flying it since then. Here’s his story: It took 6 years (with the help of my wife), but my first flight was on April 23, 2025. The plane now has over 115 hours on it and flies wonderfully. My plane has some slight […] Read More
Scott Davis just flew his RV-14 for the first time. Here’s his story: After nearly 6 years of work in AZ and TX I finally completed and flew N892SL. As a retired USAF F-16 and current Southwest Airlines pilot it was the most exciting flight of my life. Thankfully, it was uneventful, with just a […] Read More
Eric Pelletier just completed the first flight of his RV-14. He writes: After five years of building N811EP took to the skies early Saturday morning. I flew for about an hour while circling the airfield. She flew fast and straight with on a few minor squawks to work on. Thanks to Van’s Aircraft for making […] Read More
Randall and Craig Grubbs just celebrated the first flight of their RV-10. Here’s what they say: My first flight was amazing. My additional pilot Bobby Gilliam, a CFI (and also adorned with multiple ratings and experience) casually said “kick this thing and let’s go.” The dual-electronic Barrett IO-540 with an MT three-blade prop roared to […] Read More
Ken Bochman writes: Greetings from a 3rd time builder. I finished my RV-14A in 2018, helped and mentored my neighbor Scott Stone with his RV-7A after that, and recently finished my RV-10 with his help on my project. I guess I just wasn’t ready to hang up my tools, so to speak. In addition to […] Read More
Joseph wrote in to let us know that he has completed his RV-8! He writes: First flight completed on a clear Florida morning at sunrise. Showplanes Fastback, Skydesigns Landing Gear, IO-360 with MT 3 blade constant speed, Flyboys Steering link and Condor Pneumatic Tire. Construction took 5 years and 2,900 hours logged. My chase ship […] Read More
Nice work Francisco! The first flight was totally uneventful which was perfect for the first flight test. The aircraft performed flawlessly and is a delight to fly. I have to thank the whole team at Van’s for the support I received during the construction, I had no prior aircraft building experience and I wouldn’t have […] Read More
