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recent e-mails received on
First
Flights
As February 08, 2010
6,633
RV aircraft
have been
completed and flown!
Listed by Model
RV-3
266
RV-4
1309
RV-6/6A 2382
RV-7/7A 876
RV-8/8A 938
RV-9/9A 562
RV-10 278
RV-12 22
You will sometimes see the numbers of flying RVs on this list
rise
without a corresponding number of first flight reports from
builders. Why?
Well, we learn of flying RVs in many different ways. Ideally,
a builder will email us with a photo of his or her personal
"RV grin". Sometimes, they call on the phone, which is
great, but doesn't provide us with anything to publish on this
web page. Sometimes, we find out incidentally; for example, when
a customer calls to order new tires, and we wonder why someone
who is still building (so far as we know) would need them. Or we
may discover a first flight announcement on an RV web forum. On
other occasions, we learn of a new batch of flying RVs from
"RV factories" overseas, but without individual
details.
We'd like to see more RV grins here, so send in the pictures
of your new "baby", or we may never know of your
success. Click the link below for how to do it.
Submitting First Flight Reports
page 1 of 3
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From: Vern
Hendershott
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First
flight RV-12 120186 N397JC
Date sent: Sun,
7 Feb 2010
7 February at 1230 EST Capt. Mike Kelly (Retired United
Airlines, EAA Flight & Technical counselor, RV-8
builder/owner, and A&P) test flew RV-12 Sr. No. 120186
N397JC for its first flight at Spruce Creek (7FL6) Florida, the
aircraft flew very well and Mike commented that the control
balance was better than a RV-8. This RV-12 was built by Vern
Hendershott (retired aviation executive, EAA Technical
Counselor, commercial pilot and A&P) and his partner Chester
in about a year with some time lost while waiting for the next
kit to be released. The aircraft has been sold to Jim Corley of
Spruce Creek who built the fin, rudder, stabilator and
anti-servo tabs from another RV-12 kit and these units were used
on his new aircraft. Vern Hendershott will complete his second
RV-12 when the rest of the kit previously started by Jim Corley
arrives this month.

Best regards,
Vern Hendershott
EAA 144244
[ Luscombe_71745 at earthlink.net
]
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Date sent: Mon,
1 Feb 2010
From: G
GRIFFITH
Subject: RV-9A
Serial No 91466 Registered in the UK G-CFMC
Hi
I am pleased to inform you that my aircraft was flown
yesterday {Sunday} for the first time by my LAA inspector for 40
min when he landed he had a massive RV grin on and said he could
not find a single fault, The aircraft behaved perfectly
throughout the test, thank you for everything.
Gwynne
[ g.griffith387 at btinternet.com ]
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From: Max
Vogelman
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First
Flight RV-7A
Date sent: Sun,
31 Jan 2010
N99XV first flew on 1/10/2010 piloted by Eric Vogelman (my
dad). It's taken my father and I about 3 years from a quick
build. I've had the opportunity to work on it almost full time,
with my dad's help were a second set of hands were needed. I was
19 when the project started and now I'm 22. It’s not your
average RV-7a, it has an Eggenfellner H6Ti, and so far it is
working very well. The airframe makes a great platform for
alternative engines. Just for the record, I painted the plane
well before I saw Mr. VanGrunsven's red/polished RV-12. :)

Max Vogelman
Eagle, CO (KEGE)
[ mvogelman at hotmail.com
]
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From: Greg
Marlow
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: first
flight of 91396
Date sent:
Fri, 29 Jan 2010
Van's Aircraft,
It is my great pleasure to report the first flight of my
RV-9A, N510WM, serial number 91396. Build time was almost 1700
hours, over 3 and a half years. First flight was January 27th,
2010. Aircraft weighed in at 1138 and is fully equipped with
Advanced Flight 3400 and 4500, Dynon D10A, Garmin 430W, SL30,
GTX330, PMX9000 audio panel, Vertical Power VP100 and a Trio Pro
Pilot autopilot. The aircraft is powered by a Barrett IO320X,
spinning a three bladed MT prop up front. Classic Aero interior
completes the picture. Technical counselor Jim Summers and RV
builder and local EAA chapter president Mike Hathoway were
instrumental in my build. My thanks to them, the entire Van's
crew, SteinAir for the panel, and all my vendors for excellent
customer support. I'd also like to thank my wonderful wife and
children, who have been very patient during my build. Last, I'd
like to thank my late father, who instilled in me the work ethic
to get this plane finished. I know he is proud, and the N number
bears his initials and birthday. He helped me rivet both the
tail and the wings, but succumbed to cancer before I could
finish.
The plane flies great, hands off, and is the most fun thing
I've done with my clothes on. I've got 16 hours in the first 3
days, and the more time I get on her, the more fun it is. It is
simply awesome.
Thanks so much for a wonderful kit, I'll be back.

Sincerely,
Greg Marlow
Kingsport, TN
[ gregmarlow at charter.net ]
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Subject: RV-12
First Flight
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
From: David
Barba
Date sent: Wed,
27 Jan 2010
Flew for the first time at 1430 local time in Lake Chapala,
Mexico.
Test Pilot in command: cap. Alberto Barba.
Performance: just as announced.

Ing. David Barba
[ david at aldadigital.com.mx ]
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Date sent: Tue,
26 Jan 2010
From: Jim
Platz
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First
Flight
After 5 years and one month (2196 hours), my first attempt at
airplane building, RV-7A kit #72164, N720JP, slipped the surly
bonds of earth on Jan. 5, 2010 at KEUG, Eugene, OR.
An Aero Sport O-320 with Sensenich FP, day/night VFR, panel
by Aerotronics of Billings, MT., Dynon D-6 EFIS, electric flaps,
electric elevator trim, custom seats by Aero classic Interiors,
painted by John Stahr with Diamont base coat/clear coat. Perfect
first flight, trimmed hands off. My thanks to Al Gough, Mike
Lamb, Lad Lash of EAA 617, Wally and Phil at Synergy Air who
provided lots of help during the finishing work and finally Gary
Ledeke, the test pilot.

Jim Platz
[ jplatz AT cbbmail.com ]
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From: John
Foy
Subject: First
flight
Date sent: Mon,
25 Jan 2010
Serial # 120123 had it’s first flight today. Mike Mc Mains
the test pilot and reported everything normal and a very nice
flying machine. More later. One more RV-12.

John Foy
[ foyboy6 at hot.rr.com ]
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Date sent: Sat,
23 Jan 2010
From: Dick
Gates
Subject: First
Flight of RV-8 N327DG, SN82766
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Well, it finally happened. On January 8th, after a little
over 2 years and 2100 hours of 'mostly' pleasure, N327DG took to
the air and flew exceeding all expectations! I have about 15
hours on her now and I still can't stop smiling.
She just wants to Fly, Fly, Fly. She has a 180 hp IO-360 with
LASAR ignition, Ram Air, and a 3 bladed C/S MT Prop. Inside are
Classic Aero seats, Hooker Harnesses, and a Aerotronics Panel.
Empty weight came in at 1137 lbs. The RV-8 Quick Build is a
great kit and all the folks at Vans were a delight to work with.
But the project would not have happened without the help of a
lot of friends like Ken, Bill, Craig, Jessica, John, Jean and
all the rest that put up with my never ending questions and
calls for help.
Thanks everyone, I owe you all.

Dick Gates
[ dgatesii at yahoo.com ]
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From: Dennis
Satterfield
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First
flight RV-9A 8182B
Date sent: Sat,
23 Jan 2010
8182B Made its first flight on June 14, 2009 after 16 months
of construction time. It easily surpasses Van's published cruise
performance speeds. A 160 H.P. Lycoming is installed with a
Van's supplied Sensenich prop. I've logged over 100 hours and
still can't wipe the RV grin off. 75% power makes very close to
190 M.P.H. at 8000 ft MSL on 8 GAL/HR and 55% power makes 170
MPH at 8000ft. on 6 Gal/hr. Empty weight -1053 pounds.
Factory and technical support are outstanding.

Dennis Satterfield
Payson,Az.
[ dennissat at hotmail.com ]
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From: Steven
Anderson
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First
Flight
Date sent: Thu,
21 Jan 2010
Dear Van's,
My RV-7A flew on June 7, 2009 at Lafayette Louisiana (LFT) on
a calm Sunday morning. I was confident and slightly nervous as I
took off but my RV-7A flew like a dream. I humbly join a very
special fraternity, completing and flying a beautiful, fast,
responsive, versatile "time machine". Ray Fleming flew
chase in his RV-7A. I now have almost 100 hours on the hobbs and
I can't go a week without flying it. The plane has a IO-360 180
hp fuel-injected Lycoming and a blended Hartzell prop bought
from Van's. Weight was 1130 lbs and the panel has a Garmin SL
30, GTX 327, Blue Mountain Sport, Dynon D100 and Grand Rapids
EIS. I got a local upholsterer to cover Van's foam pads and I
painted the plane myself. The plane took four years to complete
and to quote a previous builder, I built three planes and threw
the first two away.
I want to thank my wife Mimi who stood by me through up's and
down's, my three children who always bought their friends by to
ask questions and marvel at the possibilities. I want to
recognize guru Ray Fleming for engine help, perfectionist Ken
Broussard for painting tips, "deep thinker" Robert
Beach who nailed the large vinyl numbers and other tedious
stuff, BFKADC and all the other people who pitched in on the
"crusade". Thanks for Pierre Smith for excellent
transition training and interesting life stories. I love flying
this plane and sometimes as I walk from the hangar, I have to go
back and look at its graceful lines and pinch myself. Sometimes
the most unusual thing happens with hard work and a willingness
to take a risk.

Steve Anderson
Lafayette, La.
Builder No 71951
[ s_s_and at hotmail.com ]
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Date sent: Tue,
19 Jan 2010
From: Glauco
Nuzzi
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: One
more '7' in Italian sky
Very busy as a flight instructor, my building time - from a
base kit - lasted almost five years. Now I-GLCK is flying and I
feel the happiness of old times when I was in the Air Force,
flying fighter bombers. After about twenty five hours of flight
I' m still fixing some minor problems but it' s a pleasure every
day when I fly.
Lycoming O320 - carburetor, three blades prop from MT, steam
gauges instrument ( for the moment ) , VOR/ILS equipped and a
Garmin 695 GPS. Comfortable in long trips and agile in
aerobatics I couldn't ask more. Very good kit, easy building,
sometimes little problems with building manual, but a real
pleasure to work on it.
My appreciation for the Van's staff.

Glauco Nuzzi
kit # 71396
[ glastarat tin.it ]
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From: Bob
Camacho
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First
Flight
Date sent: Mon,
18 Jan 2010
After almost 3 years of part-time building, I first flew my
unpainted RV-9A (QB) #91390 in February 2009. It has a new
Lycoming O-320 with C/S prop. Avionics consist of Dynon EFIS and
EMS, Trutrak Autopilot and Garmin GPS496, SL30/SL40 radios and
GTX327 transponder.
I flew it for five months before finally getting it painted; too
much fun. For local flights I use 50% power for 128 knots
burning only 6gph. For cross-country 70% power yields 160 knots
and 8gph including XM weather and music.
I couldn’t have completed this project without the support of
my wife and the help of many friends especially Dick Chalcraft,
Joe Board, Phil Bentley, John Bottensek and Jeff Stanford plus
the helpful folks at Vans and on the VAF forum.

Bob Camacho
Jacksonville, Florida
[ b.cam at
comcast.net ]
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Date sent: Sun,
17 Jan 2010
Subject: First
Flight RV-6A #22286
From: Dean
Wheeler
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
On December 22, 2009 after 17 years and 2 months of
intermittent construction N642DW finally took to the air piloted
by fellow RV flyer and CFI Jerry Wilken. The Superior XP - IO360
engine, MT two blade constant speed prop, and E-MAG electronic
ignition made for impressive performance.
Initial testing revealed a heavy left wing which is being
corrected as set forth in the RVator. We're now 5.8 hrs into the
test period and really pleased with the plane. Initial data
indicates a fuel burn similar to our 172 and a lot more
performance.
One of the photos shows the 6 and the 2 DW's it was built 4
(N642DW). The second photo shows me piloting N642DW with Mt.
Jefferson in the background, can you see the RV Grin? Photos
courtesy of Jerry Wilken, Wilken photographs.
Thanks for a great airplane!

Dean & Dana Wheeler
Albany, Oregon
[ n642dw at gmail.com ]
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Date sent: Fri,
15 Jan 2010
From: Dave
Allen
Subject: First
Flight report
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
My RV-9A (91156), N342DA, made its first flight from the St
Louis Regional Airport on Wednesday, January 13th after about
4.5 years of building time. The flight was pretty much routine
with no problems to report -- not even a heavy wing as far as I
can tell.
With mostly Cessna 172 experience, I had little problem with
the transition other than a little over-control of the elevator
on takeoff --
My engine is an ECi kit engine -- O-320 160HP with a carb and
2 Slicks -- which I assembled with guidance from my EAA Tech
Counselor. My successful completion is largely due to a lot of
support from my Tech Counselor, Gene Helmkamp (RV-6A), all the
other EAA Chapter 864 members at KALN and the great technical
support from Vans Aircraft.
The plane is an absolute joy to fly --- thanks to you all.

Dave Allen
[ dballen2007 at att.net]
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Date sent: Fri,
15 Jan 2010
From: Stephen
K Thompson
Subject: RV-9A
Morning,
Kit 91266 flew 1-13-10 for the first time, and was signed off
by Mr. Bill Duncan on the ninth. Flew great, as I had flown
in Gary Harden's plane with him a couple of hours, so the flight
and landings were as expected. Can't say enough about the kit,
plans, and honesty associated with the whole company. After
restoring two Luscombes and a '57 172, the building process
couldn't have been any more straight forward.
Thanks,
Stephen K Thompson
Evans GA
Kit 91266
[ n8175b at bellsouth.net ]
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From: Brent
Hoskins
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: N93BA
first flight
Date sent: Thu,
14 Jan 2010
Hi Van's
I wanted to let you know that RV-7 N93BA took its first
flight on Saturday January 8, 2010 less than two hours after the
DAR inspection. The airplane is powered by a Lycoming Exp O360
and a Hartzell BA prop. The panel is simple and the plane weighs
in at 1031 lbs. I want to thank your company for such a
wonderful product and support throughout the build process. I
have to thank my wife and kids for putting up with building an
airplane for the last 5 years and a special thank you to my
friend Brian Reid who always helped me through those tough
moments and always reminded me I was building an airplane to fly
and not to put on a shelf and look at.
Thank you again,

Brent Hoskins
Caldwell, ID
[ hoskinsb at peoplepc.com ]
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Date sent: Tue,
12 Jan 2010
From: Jeremy
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: Another
RV-9A added to the list!
Well, after 4 years of building, 40 hours of testing and 2
years of flying, I think it is safe to say that my RV-9A is the
best plane I have ever built. She started life as kit number
90913 and is now sporting N7KR on her tail. Driven by an Aero
Sport Power O-320 engine with a 3 blade Catto composite
propeller, she has given me countless hours of enjoyment.
Thank you Vans for making a great kit!

Jeremy
[ gruenke at cox.net ]
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From: Tim
Ribble
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: first
flight N621TR
Date sent: Fri,
8 Jan 2010
Just wanted to let you know that my first flight occurred on
12/12 for N621TR, which I have been building for the past 13
(yes 13) years. That’s along with raising 2 daughters and
full-time employment. Flight was perfect! I did everything on
the project myself, including building the engine and painting
the plane, except for covering the Van’s seat cushions which
my mother-in-law graciously performed.
Thanks again for a wonderful aircraft! I now have 10 hours on
the test program.

v/r,
Tim Ribble
[ ribbles4 at cox.net ]
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From: Glen
Mulcahy
Subject: RV-7A
Date sent: Fri,
8 Jan 2010
Hi, thought you might like to see a picture of my plane which
was flown for the first time 27th December 09. Everything is
going well and I have now flown 6.6 hrs.

Regards
Glen Mulcahy
Whitianga, New
Zealand
Bldr # 71416.
[ glenmulcahy at
xtra.co.nz ]
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From: Vernon
Darley
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Subject: First
flight RV-10 N353RV
Date sent: Fri,
8 Jan 2010
Dec 26th, 2009 was the first flight of 'Gracie', RV-10
N353RV. She performed wonderfully and is everything that Vans
and others say she should be. Gracie is owned by Falcon RV
Squadron members Dave Kilgore, Steve
Castlen, and Vern Darley and is based at Falcon Field in
Peachtree City, GA .
During her two year construction, many potential RV builders/new
builders helped and received training for their RV projects. One
night in particular, 12 men, 3 women, and 2 dogs worked all
evening on Gracie (supervised, of course). Each person who spent
time working on Gracie signed the rear baggage bulkhead to show
that they had a part in her birthing. What a wonderful tool to
introduce others to RV'ing!

Vern (repeat offendor)
[ vern@mindspring.com
]
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Date sent: Thu,
7 Jan 2010
Subject: RV-6A
EI ECF First Flight
From: Gerry
Humphreys
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
Hello everyone in Vans..
I'm not sure if you had a note about RV-6A serial no 25472,
but I guess not... Almost 12 years to the day after he started a
slow-build kit, John Bailey from Dublin in Ireland saw his
beautiful RV-6A fly for the first time on 11th Oct 09. John, a
retired metalwork teacher, was meticulous in every detail &
built a great example with an O-320 D2A driving a performance
3-blade prop. I did the first flight it flew like a dream. The
plane was a great source of joy to John and to Colette, his wife
who flew with him. Tragically John died in a motorcycle accident
2 months after the first flight.

after 1st solo
Enjoy your RV while you
can...
Gerry Humphreys
[
humrv7 at gmail.com ]
PS
thanks for the calendars! I was very pleased to find
I was 'Mr. Nov 2010' :-)
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Subject: New
RV-4
Date sent: Thu,
7 Jan 2010
From: Rick
Stoffel
Folks,
Add another one to the ranks! After a 16 year build time with 8
moves. RV-4 3541 flew the 27th of November. 961 lbs, O-360 with
a Sensenich prop. All went well except for a slightly heavy
right wing and a blown flap fuse – both have been fixed.
Speed so far is 194 MPH True Airspeed without any fairings.
Climb rate 2,200 FPM at 60 deg F and 1325 lbs.

Thanks!
Rick Stoffel
Schertz, TX
[ richard.stoffel at
RANDOLPH.AF.MIL ]
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Subject: RV-12
N312MK First Flight
To: webmaster@vansaircraft.com
From: Martin
Keller
Date sent: Wed,
6 Jan 2010
RV-12 N312MK flew for the first time this morning. Aside from
a slightly heavy left wing, flew beautifully. Empty weight is
727 lbs with AP and paint.
Thanks to all of the folks at Van's for a great product and
support, and also to everyone who contributes on Van's Airforce
- your wealth of knowledge made the building process most
enjoyable. I may need to do this again !

Marty Keller
Benton, KY
serial # 120183
[ mkeller1 at
us.ibm.com ]
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