FIrst FLights

Congrats to Eddie, who sends this quick message: “After way too long a build, first flight came on March 9, 2019.” Very nice!

From Robert: “First flight February 24, 2019! Flew beautifully. Advanced Flight Systems full IFR panel. Classic Aero interior. Two years to build from quick build kit. Van’s continues to do a fantastic job with the kit and with builder support.” Congrats!

Three years slow build. Thunderbolt engine, AFS 5800 EFIS(s), MT CS Prop, Airflow Systems Air Conditioning.

N992RP was started with the delivery of the tail kit March 27th, 2017. Certification was completed on 1 February 2019, and the first flight was completed 2 February 2019. Flies great. Paint job to be determined. Panel features a Garmin 3GX Touch 10″ screen, Garmin 750 GPS, Garmin G5 for a back-up attitude indicator, Garmin […] Read More

N405ST slow-build kit commenced on Jan 22,2017 and took it’s first flight Feb 24, 2019. I always had the dream of flying the plane completed with paint, so I worked extremely hard to make it happen. As expected, the plane performed amazing and no real issues to report. Thank you to may amazing wife, family, […] Read More

On 2/21/2019 I took advantage of the FAAs AC 90-116 and flew the first flight with an additional pilot for Phase I flight test. The flight was awesome and the airplane flew like a dream. This was the culmination of 5+ years of hard work and dedication. I’m amazed at what a wonderful aircraft this […] Read More

First flight of N852TX was on February 15, 2019 after about three years — and two home moves — of build time. The plane was a tight fit but overall very comfortable and I was pleasantly surprised at the climb rate. I’m looking forward to many hours of extremely fun flying. After building several RVs […] Read More

Congrats to Promod on this special success! “Building and flying my own plane was big dream to me. Hard work dedication and support from friends and family made it possible. “I am able to make a history as well. Happens to be I am the first Nepali to build and fly his own plane. “Apologize […] Read More

N620RV took to the skies the evening of Dalentine’s Day 2019. It is a rocket! Flew straight and true with no adverse tendencies. Great job to Van’s Aircraft for designing the ultimate cross country experimental. Some specs: IO540 Whirlwind 375RV prop with 15″ rocket spinner Garmin 900X avionics Tru trak sorcerer AP Most of the […] Read More

N695RA flew just after sunrise on 2/13/2019 at Dillingham Airfield on the North shore of Oahu, HI. The plane took just over 3 years to build. She had a successful first flight with no major issues. Flying an RV-8 has been a dream of mine for many years and today it finally happened.

Hard to believe my first few flights are completed. I purposely didn’t make a big thing about them and only a few knew that I decided I ‘might’ go up today. With my flight plan in hand and the weather cooperating I made the decisions to give it a go. What a rush taking off […] Read More

I would like to report the first flight of RV 7 serial 74478 on December 16, 2018. N73333. IO360 A1A ( out of a Mooney). New Hartzell from Vans. Used GRT screens (Hx and Ws) Garmin GTX 327, GTR 200, Tru Trak AP and Echo ADSB. Empty weight 1115 I wanted to built an RV […] Read More

It was time to retire but what was I going to do. 45+ years of 60-70 hours per week in my own business. My buddy said if you want to build a plane, I’ll help you. That was it for me. I started an RV-12 in November of 2016. For a guy like me, it […] Read More

Dear Vans, I am tardy in reporting the first flight of my RV-10 but better late than never. My RV-10, N363TG, first flew on 30 January 2018 out of Cable Airport, KCCB, in Upland, CA. The airplane is a fairly standard RV-10 with few modifications from Van’s build instructions. The engine and prop are Lyc […] Read More

Reporting another 8 First Flight! Serial # 83563 – Slow Build wing / tail. QB fuse. First Rivet April of 2016. N563RV IO360M1B – Hartzell Blended AF Prop Garmin G3X touch w / GTN650 / G5 backup / GMC307 AP controller Empty weight is 1120 lbs This is my third build. #1 was a Sonex […] Read More

Hi guys, After 12 years (don’t look up my tail kit order…it may be a little longer!), 2 houses and 3 jobs, this thing is now a flying airplane! Terry Turner, the inspector from our local FSDO was kind enough to drive up from San Antonio one day before the government shutdown to perform the […] Read More

Hello Vans, I got the Grin on the morning of January 3rd 2019 after 4 years and 9 months of building. Actually I have been grinning the whole build it has truly been an amazing journey that I hope will continue for many many years. When I was about 14, back to 1985 I was […] Read More

The weather has been spotty over the holidays and fighting the flu since Christmas Day didn’t help with getting into the air. I finally had a break today. Winds were out of the west, light and variable, ceiling was overcast at 3800 ft, temperature was -2 degrees Celsius, and the runways were finally cleared of […] Read More

Here is my first flight in my Van’s RV 14A! She flew straight and true without a hitch! Talk about a long awaited “RV Grin”! Thank you to all at Van’s who were always just a call away for some detail the I needed clarification. And the always careful and friendly help of customer service […] Read More