FIrst FLights

Congrats to the builders of this new RV-7 in South Africa earlier this year! A belated first flight report for RV7 ZU-WAB on 2 April 2019 (My wedding anniversary, yes you need an understanding wife for this project). Took three builders to complete on and off after first work done in June 2003. Test flew […] Read More

Greg Beckner writes in to share the story of his first couple flights in his new RV-14A! First two flights yesterday. Launched and flew without incident. The plane was straight and level hands off-amazing what the Van’s designers have accomplished. The plane is very sensitive so a deft touch is required. After landing we took […] Read More

Jeffrey Scott wrote in to tell us about his first flight with Dave Schmitz as Additional Pilot. Congrats on the new airplane, looks really nice! I purchased this kit 2nd hand, just past quick build stage, four years ago. Perfect timing to select interior, instruments, engine, prop, all the personal items. Sunday we had planned […] Read More

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

Every RV story is special, but Mr Princeton’s RV-8A story is especially so. Congratulations and happy flying! It’s done; after 14 years my modified RV-8A, VH-XCP had its first flight on 26th April 2019 at the controls of my friend and celebrated Air Show Pilot Paul Bennet at our home airfield in the Hunter Valley […] Read More

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

Thierry writes in to tell the tale of this new RV-8! Hello Vans’ community, I am sending you this e-mail to let you know that RV-8 SN82013’s maiden flight took place in Toulouse – France on 08/13/2019. It took us 14 years to complete our RV-8. The engine is an Aero Sport Power IO-375 with […] Read More

Ed Hicks (editor of Flyer magazine in the UK) writes in to tell us all about the maiden voyage of the RV-8 that he and Steve Ayers built! Just over 7 years since we started planning for the project, RV-8 G-MIRV made it’s first flight on the 1st of July in the hands of co-builder […] Read More

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

Congrats to Dan and Brian on the completion and first flight of their RV-7A! This build was a joint effort, both Brian and I have always loved the RV brand. Our build was initially started by Wayne Reese who purchased the kit from Van’s. Wayne built the wings and tail surfaces but due to health […] Read More

RV-8 slow build #82059 I forgot to inform you about my first flight in my new Van’s RV-8 – callsign OE-VFP. After 9 years slow-build time first flight was in June 2018 by my friend and also RV-8 builder Wolfgang Paungartner. After some training flights with Wolfgang, i was flying my airplane alone and safely. […] Read More

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

Andy writes to tell us of the first flight of his RV-12 in Australia! I purchased the kit from a guy in Canberra who had lost his license and gave up on the build, it was my first plane build and it was so much fun. I elected to be a little different and put […] Read More

Jack writes in to tell us his new RV-10 has flown for the first time, and that the “RV Grin” is real! “First flight went well, with no major squawks except CHTs were high on the front two cylinders. Before making the second flight I removed the air dams on the baffle ramps and on […] Read More

Mike and Al wrote in to tell us about the first flight on their new RV–14A! After a rewarding build process, our RV-14A took to the air for the first time on August 24th, 2019. Co-builder Michael Mahon performed the initial flight, it was an exhilarating experience but completely void of any issues. The aircraft […] Read More

Congratulations to Steve on his RV-9A’s first flight! After a six year build C-GVYT took to the air on December 18, 2018. The aircraft has been a joy to fly. It’s a great cross-country machine with the highlight so far being a trip to AirVenture 2019 in Osh. I enjoyed the entire building process and […] Read More

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

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

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!“