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FIrst FLights

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First Flight Reports

Roger Small’s New RV-14 First Flight | New Zealand RV-14 #140075

Congrats, Roger! Nice looking airplane! My RV-14 ZK-LBK flew here in New Zealand after 5 years and 7 months of building. First time build but great support from the Van’s Aircraft team. Flew beautifully and is a standard kit VFR machine with Dynon Skyview avionics suppled by Advanced Flight. Engine and prop the standard package […] Read More

Jonathan Pharr’s New RV-8 | Monroeville, AL RV-8 #80032

Here’s the word from Jonathan on the maiden voyage of his RV-8: “First flight in the books! She flies like a dream, no surprise there. I’ve owned a RV-6 in the past and always dreamed of building an 8. I picked this one up as a partially completed project (quick build stage basically) just over […] Read More

William Wilson’s New RV-7A! | Kalamazoo, MI USA RV-7A #74032

Congrats to William Wilson on the first flight of his new RV-7A! After 7.5 years my RV-7A project has officially become an airplane as N247BW. Airworthiness inspection was performed on 8/2 by Ted Gauthier. The inspection went very well and I found the experience quite enjoyable. Immediately after the inspection was completed, all of the […] Read More

TeenFlight Puyallup’s TF4 flies! | Puyallup, WA RV-12 #121005

Congrats to TeenFlight in Puyallup, Washington on their fourth RV-12! TeenFlight Puyallup celebrated the first flight of their student built TF4 aircraft (RV-12 ULS), their 4th completed RV-12. Marv Scott piloted the plane and reported she flew great! A couple more flights will be made before delivering it to the paint shop. Final testing will […] Read More

David Perdzock’s new RV-9A | Delaware, OH RV-9A #92242

David writes in to tell us about the first flight of his RV-9A. Congrats, David! ”After three and a half years of building, my friend and trusted pilot Stever Beaver took my plane for its first flight. According to Steve, it is ‘a very well balanced, very smooth and gentle flying airplane. It was an […] Read More

Denny Vander Weerdt’s New RV-12 | Grinnell, IA RV-12 #120885

Congrats to Denny on the first flight of his RV-12! ”A bucket list project that finally moved to the top. A copy of the ‘Dyke Delta’ is on the bookshelf from college days to give you a clue. The build experience was a hoot, precision kit, great Van’s support and a great finished project. Transition […] Read More

Tom McLoed’s RV-7 | Columbus, IN RV-7 #74170

Here’s the great news from Tom! ”I’m happy to report that after a 6.5yr build, N432TM took to the air for the first time. First flight was successful and I’m looking forward to flying the 40hr test period and learning how to fly my new plane! Van’s, Thanks for a great Aircraft!“

John Keen’s RV-7 | Gold Coast, Australia RV-7 #71831

John’s report on the first flight of his new bird! ”Hi, my RV-7 VH-BBU had her maiden flight yesterday (Aug 17) in the hands of the legendary Nigel Arnot. He reports that she flies beautifully and all temps and pressures where they should be. Many people have contributed to this result, and the skills I’ve […] Read More

Edmund “Alex” Russell’s RV-7 | Lincoln, CA RV-7 #72822

Congrats to Alex – and family – on the first flight of his new RV-7! “8 years, 4 months, and 12 days ago a young married couple launched their dream of building an airplane. Today our RV-7 took flight for the first time. Soaring to 4000ft over the fields of Lincoln, CA N759AQ flew beautifully. […] Read More