RV-10, N291RV had its first, second and third flights on July 1, 2008! WOW! Great plane!

What a beast! Handles almost hands free. At hi cruise, it needs a little left rudder to center the ball. Total time on first flying day was 1.75 hours!

All went well with only a few minor problems to work through. Idle EGT
on #6 cylinder was high and was found to be an out-of-round intake pipe
causing an air intake leak. Late in first flight, the #2 CHT suddenly went high and was later traced to the CHT probe.

Thank you to Vans for the great kit and support, the Matronics RV-10 Group for the best advice and help ever, Alex DeDominicis for the transition training that saved my bacon, and, of course, my family and local aviation friends without who's support this would not have happened.

Roger Standley
Builder Flyer #40291
N291RV
New IO-540-D4A5
Hartzell Blended
Empty Weight - 1619# (without wheel pants or gear fairings)
[ taildragon at msn.com ]

I am pleased to announce that RV7A #73086 N257RV made it's first flight on July 2, 2008. The airplane flew beautifully with no problems.

William Fisher
[ bfisher at eplus.net ]

Just to let you know, 73066 Reg. No. ZU-EXI completed its maiden flight at Brits Airfield, South Africa (FABS) on the 1st of June and it was perfect.

A word of thanks to everybody at Van’s for the kit, their support and the opportunity to realize a dream.

      

       Regards
       Deon and Brenda
       [ deonrv7 at vodamail.co.za ]

First flight of RV-8 N814KV (serial #80405) took place in March with no surprises. KV has a 200hp and a blended airfoil. Panel has a Dynon 180, King radios, with some steam backups. Painted with interior (no pants) weighs in at 1127.

Like most guys out there, I need to thank several people. First is my wife Kitrena for 10+ years of patience and understanding for a dream completed. My dad Ron (RV-4 builder) for inspiration and sweat equity. Scott Clement for the last big push. Nate Neil, Larry Richards, The Rez and the gang at Industrial Aviation Services, Inc. and Vans Aircraft for a great product and personnel.

       

        Van Patton
        Keizer, OR
        [ propheads at aol.com ]

I am a little late posting the first flight, been having to much fun flying. I am now 32hours into phase 1 testing. N231AH flew for the first time Sunday April 13th. She is a RV-8 QB Kit Number 82573, Engine is a O360A1A from Van’s with Hartzel CS. The panel consists of Dynon 180, Garmin SL40, GTX 320, GPSMAP 396 and TT Digiflight II.

The aircraft fly’s great, everything I expected and more. My 17 year old son Joshua was my building partner through the project start to finish; this was a tremendous learning experience for Josh.

Thanks to all my RV buddies for tech support and encouragement, especially Doug Reeves VAF website. Thanks to Van for designing this wonderful aircraft.

Also thanks to all the Van’s staff from order entry to shipping you guys are great.

            

       Allen Holcombe
       [ allenholcombe at pinnaclesystemsfurniture.com ]

June 23 2008
Goin’ RV’N

Last Tuesday was a magical day. There was finally air under the wheels of RV-7A 70011 C-FRVN based at CYXS Prince George B.C. Canada. The inventory of the empenage kit was done on Fathers Day June 17, 2001, just 2 days after the demo flights by Scott Risan of Vans and the tour of the factory by Rob Butts. Even after many circuits and lots of field work in our friend John Hebb’s RV-7A C-GVVT there is nothing like the feeling of the silence of the wheels of your own plane exactly 7 years to the day which we didn’t realize until now. With the ball in the middle and without any heavy wing tendencies our dream has come true. This did not happen without the continuous motivation, assistance and support of my wonderful wife Karen who ran the rivet gun. So to start with Karen and I would like to thank the supporters whom we know or have met followed by the supporters who we have yet to meet. Supporters who we have met or know personally, my brother Ken and wife Marleen who believed in the dream with us, John Hebb, no words could ever show the appreciation to this man, Chris and Joan Cox RV-7 C-FCOX fellow modelers, world class control line stunt competitors and huge motivators and the first one we called after the test flight, Scott Risan, we both can still remember every second of our first ride in an RV, Rob Butts who made us feel like lifelong friends from the onset, Paul Rosales, (it isn’t a dash and it’ll fly on a Tuesday, and yes it was a Tuesday Paul), Leo Gladesdahl, (the Arlington motorhome guy) who tried to talk me into building an RV for over 20 years. Kurt Gladesdahl, Leo’s son and a high time pilot and close friend who told me back in the dreaming years (thinking about a plastic plane) "If it isn’t an RV I won’t test fly it." Les Vaughan RV-6, Al Lachman RV 7A(building), Shona Hirota, Mike Neff, Dan McKeith, Don Cadman, Dan Mercer, Mike Jensen, Joe Gagne and our apologies for anyone we missed. Motivators whom we have yet to meet, but feel we have known for years, Doug Reeves, Michael Stewart, Roberta Hegy, Sam Buchanon. All we can say is wow. Concentrating on break in now and learning to keep up with this plane. C-FRVN is a bit of a porker at 1180 but worth every pound. Besides Karen says this will give me motivation to lose 20 J

She is equipped with Garmin 430W Garmin 340, Garmin 327, Icom 210, GRT 2 Screens, Advanced AOA Sport, Trio AP and Alt Hold, Plus a few steam gauges. An Aerosport ECI O-360 with a Hartzell blended airfoil prop pulls her through the air with authority. Karen and I with some assistance by John Hebb, painted it. The interior is Classic Aero. It sounds old but keep pounding those rivets.

These are truly magical machines, worth the effort, and time. Thanks to the vision of a man in a little yellow plane 36 or so years ago our dream came true today. So thank you Van and everyone else who helped along the way.

Gordon & Karen Jack
RV-7A C-FRVN @ CYXS
[ gordjack at telus.net ]
7.3 on the Hobbs

I'm delighted to report that RV-8, N817SM, (81546) completed her maiden flight this morning. N817SM is propelled by a constant speed MTV-15-B propeller driven by a Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 engine. Handling characteristics were so similar to the Citabria I've been flying that transition was a non-issue, although the difference in power was noticeable. There was no noticeable "heavy wing" and stick forces seemed lighter than I was expecting. Approach to power off stalls was so stable that I decided to go ahead and do a full stall. This proved to be a non-event as stability through the stall was excellent and loss of altitude less than 50 feet. Rudder authority was excellent. While I did not test climb performance at this stage it was still impressive. I climbed out at a shallow angle and still got 1300fpm with 110kts IAS at 900' density altitude. I was almost at pattern altitude by the time I crossed the numbers at the far end of the runway! My power off stalls occurred at about 60kts, which I thought was a little high, so my IAS might be reading high. Landing also went better than I expected. I just held it off until it stopped flying and it settled to a nice three point and rolled to a stop in short order. I believe this plane could easily operate off an aircraft carrier.

Thanks for one great design!

Slade Barker
[ marsla at datasync.com ]

For First Flight details go to: http://gikonhome.blogspot.com/

June 15, 2008, is Father's Day; and I have fathered a new baby. At dawn my RV-9A came alive and "broke the surely bonds" for the first time. The Lycoming O 320 and Sensennich fixed pitch performed flawlessly; airframe controls were harmonious and true.

"Education and recreation" were obtained through Alexender Tech Center's empennage class, EAA workshops, and extensive reliance on Van's excellent Builder Support. Thanks to Mike Seager and Jan Bussell for transitioning, to advise from local A&P's, and to Avionics Systems for a unique panel. Most of all, thank you Joe Knox for inspiration, and thank you Theresa for cobuilding and making this fantastic aircraft happen.

       Bob Foutz (90988)
       PSK
       Dublin, VA
       [ rvfoutz at comcast.net ]

I made the first flight ( .8 ) on my RV-8 Quick build S/N 82695 N96EB on 6/03/08 .Completion time was about 14 months. My thanks to Buddy Gaston and his RV-9A Chase plane as well as Jay Pratt At RV central for several Phone Conversations and a few personal visits to his facility as well as Bruce, and the other folks at Vans The plane handled better than I expected for a first flight. No issues. It is pretty plain Jane Compared to a lot of RV-8 Currently being build, No TV's . All Steam Gages with a Standard "T" configuration. For avionics a Garmin 300XL and a Collins TDR 950 Transponder. The engine is a "0" SMOH Wide deck lycoming 0360 A1A With a Hartzell C/S prop.The Empty weight came in at1094 lbs No Makeup yet, My plans are for a white with blue trim paint after I complete the 25 hour flight test requirement. I plan to install an autopilot and a solid state transponder in the future as finances permit.I have had several teasing comments about the pink lower cowling and I tell them Vans also promotes MaryKay Products and for now they will half to live with it. 

Thanks Again you have a great kit.

        Best regards,
        Earl Berry Jr.
        [ EB460 at aol.com ]