FIrst FLights

A big congrats to Manuel for the first flight of his RV-10 in Germany! After 3 years, the first flight could finally take place today. Thanks Van’s for this wonderful kit

Congratulations to Robert Skinner on the first flight of his new RV-10! RV-10 # 40279 made its first flight May 7 from KCXO, Conroe, Texas. The flight went very well with the exception on the #1 cylinder running hotter than preferred. I was accompanied by Richard Jankowski acting as Additional Pilot. I highly recommend the […] Read More

Congratulations to Ken on the first flight of his RV-7A! First flight went off without any issues, plane flies straight and level, fully expected a possible heavy wing but that didn’t happen. Flight was only 20 minutes, weather was not my best friend, but at least the first flight nerves are gone and I am […] Read More

Congratulations to Klaus, who writes: I had much pleasure assembling my RV-4 during the 2 years it took me to finish the work. I registered the plane in March 2010. Motorization: a Lycoming O-320 E2D / 150 hp. I have experienced great joy during my 350 hours of flying with her. I would like to […] Read More

Jarek writes in to tell us about his new RV-8! Hi, let me introduce myself- I am Jarek Teresiński from Poland. Core and wings of the plane I ordered on November 2016. On May 2017 my first package arrived with kit to build. On July I had stared building plane under the watchful eye of […] Read More

Congrats! Marcus writes in to tell us: After 11 long years my RV-12 VH-EMY finally flew at Kyneton Airfield Victoria Australia. Big thank you to my understanding family and to the very capable Alan Searle for the test flying.

Congratulations to Mark in Australia. He writes: I am the third owner of RV-8A kit SN 82452. It only had the tail & landing gear completed. It was a good kit at the right price and was already in Australia. I thought it would be a good project in my maintenance workshop when the aircraft […] Read More

Congrats to Tim on his new airplane! He writes: Vic Syracuse was my DAR and test pilot. He inspected the plane and flew it Feb 2020. I only had 6 hours of transition training in an RV-6 as my TOTAL tailwheel time, which wasn’t enough. I went to New Smyrna Beach and flew with Capt […] Read More

Congrats to Bruce, who made the first flight in his RV-7A late last year! First flight was November 9, 2019 at KOGD airport. First flight lasted 53 minutes performing “engine break-in” orbit over the runway at high power. The airplane flies straight & true without any need for tabs. I could not have done it […] Read More

Congrats to Rob, who writes to tell us about the first flight of his RV-14! After 3.5 years and 1876 hours, N414S took to the skies. After a rapid acceleration she jumped of the ground and climbed to 1,000 by the end of the runway. She flew straight and true and cruises “hands off and […] Read More

Congratulation to Charlie Derk, who sends his RV-10 first flight report! Four years and 5 months of blood, sweat and tears finally paid off as N688CD took her maiden voyage on Monday. What a thrill. Everything worked as it should and the plane was a dream to fly. Pretty amazing feeling when you start barreling […] Read More

Travis wrote in to tell us all about his RV-7 first flight, which happened recently in December. Congrats, Travis! Hi Van’s, Just wanted to let you know that RV-7 #74585 received it’s Airworthiness from an FAA inspector the first week of December and made it’s first flight on December 19th 2019 after 3 years and […] Read More

A huge congrats to Brian, who writes in and sends photos of his RV Grin, and tells us about the first flight of his brand-new RV-7 that took place today! “The plane flew just like every amazing story you’ve ever heard about an RV. It launched off the runway at close to gross weight and […] Read More

It’s actually been 19 years since Chris first flew his RV-4, but we are super glad for the belated report! “What a fun journey. This project took 2 years and 3 months to complete. Over the years this plane has been a great source of enjoyment for me. She is VFR with an IO-360 and […] Read More

Congrats to Russell on the first flight of his new RV-8! He writes: First flight made from Jandakot airport in Western Australia after a convoluted 12 year build. The first flight went well with no major issues to report and initial performance looks promising. Thanks to Van’s for supplying a great product. Also a big […] Read More

Congrats to Dave, who sends us the story of how he came to build and fly his new RV-12iS! I was about 11 years old and I always loved the idea of taking apart things, I admit having trouble getting them back together. I loved to build plastic Revell model airplanes that I hung from […] Read More

Congrats to Ken, who writes in about the first flight of his new RV-14A: Today was the feeling of great accomplishment. Actually flying this plane truly brings that RV grin to my face. Those summer days here in AZ sweating it out in a hot hangar seemed endless. Sticking to 6 – 10 hours a […] Read More