Phil Sprang’s RV-14 | Newnan, GA RV-14 #141026

Phil Sprang just flew his RV-14 for the first time. Here’s how he tells is:

It was a Tuesday and that was my standard answer when people asked when I was going to fly it.

After three and a half years of mostly solo building, I got to re-live the exact same feeling of my first solo flight more than 30 years ago. It was exhilarating and the plane performed as it should with no issues. The RV grin is real and involuntary.

We were fortunate to acquire a box hangar a few years ago. One day, my wife Pam said “we have enough room for a taildragger.” We did, and the next day I ordered the RV-14 kit. An RV-14 would fit perfectly next to her Cessna 182.

Once the kit arrived, I started building in our basement shop and moved the project to the hangar about a year and a half ago. While I mostly prefer to work solo, there were a core group of friends, fellow RV-14 builders, who stepped up to help when needed, without question. To these guys, I owe a sincere thank you! Most of all, my wife was there every step of the way. She provided support, without ever complaining, every day. I could not have done it without her. It was her idea after all.

This aircraft is equipped with Sky Designs extended-range fuel tanks, wheel pants and baggage boxes. An Aerotronics-built, all-Garmin panel. Hoses and the Beringer 6-inch wheel kit were supplied by Aircraft Specialties. A BearHawk tailwheel. Aveo Engineering Zip Tips. FlyLeds landing lights. A Classic Aero Design interior. A Lycoming Thunderbolt engine swinging an MT three blade prop. The near future will include a flight to Gadsden, AL (KGAD) for an Evoke paint job.

Everyone in the industry that supports this aircraft has been absolutely top notch!

I’m looking forward to working through Phase I and putting lots of hours on this magnificent flying machine.