Sonoma County airport near Santa Rosa, CA. I have to give credit to the members of EAA 124 who contributed to the success of the project. Special thanks to my test pilot Steve Barnes, who has helped with his advice and flying skills. Also to Kevin Quirk, my Tech Advisor and flying coach, and to Mike Shook who has taken me up in his RV-9A.

The 9A is powered by an Aero Sport Power assembled carbureted ECi O-320 with dual Light speed Engineering ignition and an Ed Sterba prop. Primary flight instrument is a Dynon D100 with back up steam gauges. Navigation info supplied by an old, yet reliable, Garmin 195. I also, have a Byonics APRS (automatic position reporting system) transmitter.

Steve says the plane flies true to RV-9A form and trims easily for straight and level flight. I'm looking forward to getting in the cockpit myself.

           

      Thanks Bob Ferguson
      Santa Rosa, CA
      [ catdream at pacbell.net ]

The first flight of RV-6 N616BJ was on January 7, 2006 after 12 years of building. The 12 years also included 2 job changes, 2 moves and putting 2 daughters through college. As an accountant, I had no experience in building a slow-build kit, but I knew the numbers looked good, and I wanted one. The stalls and flight characteristics on the first flight were very similar to the RV-6 in which I had had my tail wheel and transition training. The biggest problem on the first flight was resisting doing an aileron roll. I resisted and saved them until later. Although this was my first experience with a tail wheel, I found the RV-6 very easy to land. Initially, I over controlled on take-off but learned to take it easier on the rudder.

N616BJ has a 160-hp Lycoming O-320 with a Hendrickson Rowbar wooden prop. It is VFR GPS equipped with 2 ICOM a-200 radios and a Garmin GTX 320A transponder. Gross weight was 1004 pounds before painting. The baggage area is large enough that my Montague folding bike with its 26-inch wheels fits very nicely behind the seats. I have flown the plane almost 200 hours, and it's a joy to fly.

I thank Van's, EAA Chapter 10, and my wife for their help during the construction.

       

        Bhrent Waddell
        [ bwaddell2 at dishmail.net ]

     Ted and Lisa Lockard
     [ tlockardjr at msn.com ]

RV-9A N571DF flew for the first time on Sat. Nov. 14th, 2009 from Lenhardt's AirHaven, Hubbard OR. Some engine roughness, but it flew fast and true, stalling at 40 kts & indicating 150 kts at 23 in.Hg.

Many thanks to the crew at Van's, especially Joe Blank. I received lots of help and good advice from Jerry VanGrunsven, Stan VanGrunsven, Tom Hinkley, Larry Beck, our friends at Lenhardts, and in EAA chapters 902 and 105. Also a note of appreciation to my wife and partner Rinya in this amazing process.

N571DF is equipped with an 0-320 from Aero Sport Power, Hartzell C/S prop. Dual AFS 3500/3400 EFIS/engine monitor, TruTrak AP & Garmin Radios. Paint by Metal Inovations of Aurora, OR.

      

       Jim Frisbie
       [ jamesfrisbie at comcast.net ]

RV-7 C-FDGB, serial #71985 took to the air on September 9, 2009. It now has 31 hours on it and is a delight to fly. I built this one as a light, basic VFR airplane. It has a 0-320-B2C 160 HP with a Sensenich Metal prop, Icom A210 radio, Garmin 296, UMA steam gauges, no vacuum system, no interior except for Classic Aero seats. This kept it inexpensive and light. It came in at 1003 LBS on certified scales. Also in the photo is my first RV-6, C-FMEV now owned by Scott Robinson. First flight for C-FMEV was September 22, 1992, it now has 1,000 hours flight time. It has a IO-360-B1A, 180 HP, Hartzel constant speed prop, full interior and IFR panel with auto pilot. Empty weight is 1124 LBS.

The RV-6 is also a delight to fly but it has a much heavier feel in the air and on the ground. The approach is steep and deliberate, where as the light RV-7 is almost a "floater" in comparison.

Special thanks to my building partner and wife, Donna who ran the rivet gun while I bucked. Thanks to Tom Martin who helped out at the end when it really mattered and Don Sinclair for his wiring skills.

      Still grinning,
      Gord and Donna Baxter
      Kitchener, Ontario
      [ Gdbaxter at netrover.com ]

Performance is as advertised. Some specifics:
AeroSport O-360, fp Sensenich, Dynon D-100 EFIS, Trio EZ-Pilot and EZ-1 autopilot/alt-hold, Lowrance 2000C gps mounted in panel, empty wt 1065 lbs (no paint yet).

Here is information about my first flight, which happened today, 11/10/09.

Engine Mattituck Red / Gold O 360 180 hp, propeller Sensenich wood,
cruise, 190 mph cruise, 60 mph take off and stall, though with clear warning, straight on take off and flying, and one thing that is hard to believe:
400 fpm sink while gliding!!

Absolutely wonderful airplane!! Thank you Vans.

My customer number is 72787, registration N386TD.

      

VH-VFS has just finished phase 1 and all is going just great. Simple, light(1068 lbs) day VFR, Aerosport 180, blended airfoil, load it anyway you like get around machine that still does loops and rolls. Doesn't get any better.

Thanks to Van's for another fantastic building experience, the grin is just as big second time round.

       Regards
       Peter Pendergast
       YBRS Australia
       [ ppen at live.com.au ]

RV-12 N912DV, Serial # 120181, first flight on Friday afternoon, Nov. 6th. To the best of my knowledge, this is the 13th RV-12 to fly. Thus, I get the benefit of whatever jinx comes with that number, and no other builder gets stuck with it. Now when someone finishes #666, I’ll test fly it for them!

     

      Dick V.

N903RV became the 12th RV-12 to fly today, Wednesday at 3:30pm. It is the dream that everyone raves about and lives up to all that's advertised.

Thank you! Couldn't have done it without helpers of course, the Marty's, John's, Larry's and Brad's. And most of all my wonderful neighbors, Martin and Claudia Sutter.

           

      Pete Anderson
      Pecan, Texas
      [ peterk48 at msn.com ]

RV-12, N128MS made its maiden flight on the morning of November 1, 2009 as the weather was favorable.

Larry Geiger flew from Lincoln, NE in his RV-10 and John Bender from Jessup, IA. flew to Davenport in his RV-12. John just completed his Phase I test program. Both assisted with the final inspection and the first flight.

Larry flew my RV-12 first as he has over 2000 hours in all types of RVs including 15 hours in his RV-12. Flew hands off, the stall characteristics were normal at 38 mph (indicated).

Then it was my turn. Flew for about 30 minutes near the airport. The RV-12 flies like a dream. Flew straight and level with absolutely no left or right turning tendency. Responsive yet gentle. This plane is most definitely the easiest plane to land that I have ever flown.

Has been a satisfying day!

My thanks first to Larry Geiger and John Bender. The three of us have been essentially building the RV-12 together. Talked via the phone or via e-mail just about daily. Now Larry's, John's and my RV-12 are now flying. Mine is not yet painted, most likely late winter or early spring, but, it sure looks beautiful to me.

Then my thanks to the great group of folks at Van's Aircraft that made all of this possible.

          

Marty Santic ----- W9EAA
My RV-12
(Light Sport Aircraft) Build Log- http://www.martysrv12.blogspot.com/
[ marty.santic at gmail.com ]

Builder #90159, RV9-A is flying. Hit 40 hours today. Thank you to you and to all the rest of the staff at Van's. It flies beautifully straight and is a fun airplane. 

       

        Sincerely,
        Jim McIlrath
        [ jimmcilrath at embarqmail.com ]

The big day for me was Oct.1 when all those hours of building came together to put 171KT, an RV-7, into the air for the first time. The first flight was worth every rivet. This is one great flying, solid aircraft. I am very pleased with the acceleration, climb, and cruise. Landing and ground handling is great. It flies as advertised.

It is powered by a Lycoming O-360 with high compression pistons, and a Hartzell B/A propeller.

Cockpit information comes from Dynon with an EFIS D100 and EMS D120, Icom  A200 com, Garmin 327 transponder, Garmin 496 GPS coupled to a Trutrak ADI pilot II, and a PM 3000 stereo intercom.

Many thanks go to Craig and Justin Hilling and Ron Dively for valuable RV tailwheel time, Dan Calderale for inspiration and support, Butch Tompson and Tom Gehman for special tools and technical assistance.

Thanks to my wife Sally for her unending support and belief in me and what this project could become over the past five years of building.

Thanks to Vans Aircraft for great support and a quality aircraft.

Hey RV builders, keep bucking those rivets and torquing those bolts, it is worth it. I'm off to the airport, I have an RV to fly!

      Dennis Yoder
      [ dhyoder at embarqmail.com ]

Flight duration of 30 min overhead airfield. Aircraft flew like a dream, in trim and well balanced. Aircraft has a base coat done in a soft yellow - design to be added at a later stage! Powered by Horizontal induction Superior XP IO-360 with Hartzell C/S and Lasar ignition. Avionics are Two MGL "Voyager" EFIS's (designed and built in S. Africa), Icom ICA 200 radio, Garmin GTX 327 Transponder,Tru-Trak Digiflight11 VS A/P, AVMAP 1V GPS (a bit of an overkill as the EFIS both have built in GPS's- but I had already purchased and cut my panel for the Avmap)

The smile is still on my dial and can't wait till tomorrow when I'll put it through the next phase of testing. We have a large contingent of RV builders in South Africa with hardly a month going by without at least one launch!

Thank you guys for a great design!


           

      Trevor Davis
      [ davist at xsinet.co.za ]

Builder No.24916
RV-6A N6NF

First Flight

I just wanted to let you know that another RV-6A has had a successful first flight. The flight occurred on 08/13/09 after 13 years and 5,000 documented construction hours. Details are listed below:

Aircraft empty weight: 1105 lbs
Aircraft empty CG: 68.96 inches
Engine: Superior XP-O-360-A1AC2 w/ Carb
Prop: Sensenich 72FM8S9-1-85
Alternator: Van’s 60A
Vetterman crossover exhaust system

From the firewall aft, the aircraft is a faithful RV-6A. From the firewall forward, the aircraft is more like a -7A, including an Odyssey PC680 firewall mounted battery. I also fabricated a full pressure "doghouse" plenum that fits under the fiberglass cowling. Oil temps on a 95oF / 98% humidity North Carolina day peaked at 192F in initial climb and new engine high-power runs. The airplane flies GREAT!!

My thanks to Van and the team at Van’s Aircraft for providing a great design and a great company that supports its products and customers. CAVU

          

     Noel Fallwell
     [ nfallwell at nc.rr.com ]

RV-12 #0002 flew October 23. It was a beautiful day and all 4 partners were
in attendance. The photos are before the flight.

           

      Richard Gaines
      [ rngaines at comcast.net ]

On Friday, October 16, 2009, RV-9A N874NP took to the air for the first time. She flew absolutely flawlessly; no heavy wing, no quirks that I could identify. I now know what the RV grin is all about. Lycoming 0320, Catto 3-blade prop, Dynon D-180, AvMap moving map in panel, Garmin 300, KX-165, TruTrak ADI, electric trim and flaps. All slow build except fuselage was QB. 2 1/2 years, 1835 hrs.

Thanks to my supportive wife, all of you at Van's, and to my friends at Felts Field.

     Neal Powell
     Felts Field, Spokane, WA
     [ roxandneal at yahoo.com ]

I patiently waited for a smooth, low wind day.  It finally happened on 10-19-09. Wind early in the morning initially was 210 at 8. 17/35 is our strip. Later in the day, it was supposed to change and slow down. I called our AWOS about 4 PM, and it had shifted to 200 at 5. Time to go. I warmed it up past the 120 degree oil temps, and taxied to 17. We have a brand new 5500' X 100' concrete strip. I final checked all gauges and was ready. My neighbor and fellow pilot had agreed to bring his lower priced (but available ) small digital camera to the airport after he closed his business. He videoed the first flight. I started off slowly to get lined up with 17. About 20 knots control felt good, so I pushed in the throttle and in no time was in the air.  Nothing happened unusual at all. Flew just great from the time I left the runway. Made two passes around the strip, one lower, so it would show up half-way decent on the video. Second round I radioed him I would be landing. I landed pretty much on the numbers, and it was a long way from where he was standing.  Went back and took off again. After a few trips around the strip, I radioed him I would be landing again, and try to make it closer to him. That worked very well. I kept a little power on and made a very slow final decent to the concrete. Greased it on both times. The second landing, I was close enough you can hear the tires squeak on the video as it settled. Not even a slight bounce either time. 

Thanks to a neighbor, and fellow pilot, on very short notice, he was able to bring his small video camera to the strip and gave me this to share. Turn the sound up a bunch if you want to hear the radio back and forth. Super first flight. The patience paid off.

                       The video is posted on YouTube at:
            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPLoTQEVZ3w

Next morning, it turned out to be overcast with a 4900' ceiling. Perfect. I got in 2.3 hours of great flying. So far I am very pleased with the RV-12.

      Thanks,
      John Bender
      120036
      [ JABGOOD at aol.com ]

After 3 years and 2500 man hours, on May 27, 2009, N908SA had her first flight. The test pilot was Dan Vigesaa. Everything went according to plan. The builders are Dave, Nick, and Dan Matejcek of Wahpeton, North Dakota. We currently have 100 hours on it and have made several cross country flights. It flies great. The engine is an O-320 ECI Titan Kit Engine built by Dave. The avionics include a Dynon DEK180, Garmin 396 with weather, Icom IA210, and a GTX327 transponder with a backup ASI and alt. We are set up nicely for day/night VFR. The interior is classic aero Aviator leather side panels with leather seats and carpet package. The wheel pants are not done yet because we are having too much fun flying right now.

We would like to thank everyone who helped us along the way, Tri-state Aviation, Rodney Erickson, Mark Tisler, Matejcek Custom Combining, Matejcek Farms, Matejcek Machining, Speedshop Aero, Vans Aircraft, and all the people who asked "Who is going to Fly It." And "do you have to put a rivet in every one of these holes?"

           

      Thanks,
      Dave, Nick, and Dan Matejcek
      Builder ID #91387
      RV-9A N908SA
      [ ndmat at agwireless.net ]

Jerry Lynch told me he already informed you of his first flight. Attached is an article I prepared to send out to our EAA Chapter 810 membership. Thought the company might enjoy seeing it.

Regards
Robert Henley
[ Robertat HenleyAviators.com ]

Jerry Lynch started his RV-12 project in May, 2008. Therefore he was one of the first builders to start and was always pushing the factory for information and parts. As a very experienced RV builder, he was also able to provide Van’s with feedback during the build process.

N35HL, serial number 19, is certified in the E-AB category, probably the first RV-12 done that way. The airplane weighted in at 730 pounds empty. Today’s first flight was just as it should be, uneventful. Fluid temperatures were in the normal range. Surface temp in Payson (5,000 ft) at 7 am was about 62º F. The airplane exhibited left wing heaviness at cruise speeds. With conservative power settings, Jerry saw about 120 (MPH) indicated at about 7,500 ft. He expects that to improve as the engine is broken in.