FIrst FLights

David writes: “First flight on 5/16/19 after 4 1/2 years! Initial climb 2074 ft/min, cruise at 80% power at 2000 ft about 175 kts. Who could ask for more?” Congrats, David!

Henry sends us this account of the first flight of his RV-14A! “After a four and a half year journey N144VT took flight from Aiken Regional Airport for the first time. No real issues noted. Thanks to my wife Sue and Mark Dupont (N435MD) for the support. Ready to get back in and go some […] Read More

Les sends word of his first flight! Congrats! RV-10 C-GROK took flight today (April 29th) after a 2-year, 1-month build. C-GROK has an Aerosport IO-540 engine with 9:1 pistons and Barret Cold Air Induction. SDSEFI.COM provided the Electronic Fuel Injection and Electronic Injection. Stein built an all Garmin panel (dual G3X / G5 backup / […] Read More

Carlos writes to tell us about the first flight of his RV-10! It is worth repeating the exhilarating feeling of getting in the air after five and a half years of building our RV-10. Apprehension? Yes, I know I got the cotter pins in the right place, tightened all that needed tightened and so on. […] Read More

Rich Dupee dropped a note to tell us: Quickbuild project started in Feb 2017. Lycoming Thunderbolt IO540 with Airflow performance fuel servo and ElectroAir ignition. Garmin G3X touch PFD and MFD, G5 and GTN750 Flies well with no trim needs. Congrats, Rich!

News from Larry on the “happened a while ago” first flight on his RV-7A! This is my very late first flight report. My first flight was on Thursday, May 15th, 2015. I’m averaging well over 200 hours per year and having a blast. My son and I took a big trip last summer and landed […] Read More

Congrats to Joao on the flight of this RV-4! “After 5 years of building PR-ZQS finally flew yesterday, April 19. It flies perfectly and overall it is a great plane and fun to fly. Thanks Van’s for all.”

Samuel wrote in to let us all know about the first flight of his RV-7A! And, not everyone who builds an RV is already a pilot – Each build and person is unique! “Construction started in 2003. After five moves, N607R received airworthiness cert in October, 2015. First flight performed by “Popeye” Bill Flaherty on […] Read More

News just in from Turner, who’s RV-14A was inspected and approved by Vic Syracuse of Base Leg Aviation, and then flew for the first time on Tuesday April 16th! “Today Vic Syracuse came down and conducted the airworthiness inspection, we completed the paperwork, and he flew the first flight with me.  It was a bit […] Read More

Dennis writes in: First flight of CGRVU was May 15, 2017 after 7 years of construction. All went well with no snags and performance of the airframe and engine combination was gratifying and very grin-worthy. Engine is IO-360 A1A from a Mooney and overhauled by Dave From Aviation in Red Deer. Prop is Whirlwind 200RV […] Read More

Jeff sends news of the first flight of his new RV-7A! ”First flight totally complete, coming home from the paint shop at Evoke Aviation Paint in Garden Alabama. I this partially completed RV-7A that was started by Phillip Maples before his passing. I was super lucky to be able to acquire a project started by […] Read More

“After a little over 8 years, RV-7A N307CG, a father and sons build, had its first flight on January 11, 2019. I’m truly amazed with the performance and flight characteristics of this aircraft. “Equipped with a Aerosport Power IO-375-B1B, and a Whirlwind 200RV prop. IFR panel by Advanced Flight Systems and a 430W.”

“It was a very exciting day in my life. After eight months it took to the skies and uneventful as it was handling very well.”

“After six years, the RV-7 flew for the first time – Everything was perfect. It is a great plane. We are so happy to have it.”

Congrats to Patrick Sheehan in New Zealand, who writes in about the first flight of his new airplane: Van’s RV-9A #92055 first flight Friday 5 April 2019 – The challenge for me was to personally learn and undertake all the disciplines needed to complete this 7 1/2 year build. 8 if you include the paperwork! Lycoming […] Read More

Mike sends this report of the first flight of his RV, which took place in October: After 18 years of slow but enjoyable construction of my RV-8A, N926MW finally took to the air on October 13, 2018 with fellow RV-8A builder and pilot Tim Fitzpatrick doing the initial test flight. The next day I flew […] Read More

Dale Snodgrass sent us this report of his first flight in his new RV-8! After 10 years and a couple owners RV-8 82206 took to the skies for the first time 30 March 2019 in Ridgeland, SC. Special thanks to Dennis Argetsinger for helping make this flight possible!! Dale “Snort” Snodgrass

Congrats to Arlie and Justin on the first flight of their custom R-4, which took only 2.5 years to finish — Pretty quick for an RV-4! They report: First flight was 3-26-19. Build partner Justin Heaton had the honors of taking her up for the maiden flight. The airplane flew great and will only need […] Read More

Congrats Rich Moynihan on the first flight of his RV-7A! He reports: I flew my first flight in N 787NV on 3/27/2019. The plane flew great. This was due to help from my RV friends in Boulder City and Henderson (EAA chapter 1300). Our tech counselor and friend Seb Trost flew the first flight with […] Read More

Amer Karim of Nairobi write us to announce his RV-10 has made it’s first flight. He’s just finished this one and will be starting a second QB RV-10 soon! I test flew my RV-10 two weeks ago, and it flew beautifully and was very fast. The aviation authority here in Kenya said they have never […] Read More