We learn of flying RVs in several different ways, and we can only add your RV to our counter if you let us know it’s flown! Ideally, a builder will use the form linked from this page to send us the story and a photo/video or two or three of his or her personal “RV grin.” Sometimes they call us on the phone, which is great but doesn’t actually provide us with anything to publish on the web. Other times we find out incidentally; for example when a customer calls to order new tires and we wonder why someone who is still building (as far as we know) would need them. Or, we may discover a first flight announcement on an RV web forum or other online venue. On yet other occasions, we learn of a new batch of flying RVs from “RV factories” overseas, but without the individual owner details.
We’d like to see more RV grins here, so please submit your first-flight story and pictures of your new “baby,” or we (and the rest of the world) may never know of your success! Click the “Submit Report” link on the right to do it!
Congratulations Gary! He writes: The big day snuck up on me. Thanks to my Test pilot Jason Wakelin and engineer John Crawford (and a lot of others who lifted ; held; riveted and so on you all know the drill). All went very smoothly just a few caution lights on the Dynons to be sorted […] Read More
Congrats Lee on the completion and first flight on his RV-8! He reports: My RV-8 took to the skies for the first time on Dec. 4th with Nigel Speedy at the controls. It was a perfect day for a test flight with low clear skies and low winds. Nigel reported that it flew great and […] Read More
Congratulations to Alexander on completing his first flight with his RV-14A! He writes: N14YZ had her first flight on April 13, 2021 – she flew almost perfectly and I could trim for hands-off flight. Thankfully, the day was uneventful, but likely because of all the preparation and planning that went into it. First, I’ll have […] Read More
Congratulations Richard! He writes: 1 Month in with 25 RV smile hours!
Congratulations to Maurizio! He shares: RV-Smile from takeoff to long after landing… 1st Flight Video
Great work, Adam. We’re excited to see his first flight with his RV-12iS. He shares: After 3 1/2 years of building, on March 8th, 2023, N242SA slipped the surly bonds of earth and took flight. With the help of test pilot Jeff M (pictured at right), she flew flawlessly with no squawks. I’ve had the […] Read More
Congrats to Ian on the completion and first flight on his RV-14A! He reports: First flight occurred after 4 years and 2 months and lasted about 25 minutes. I just orbited over the field at high power for engine break in. What a machine – nice taut handling yet very responsive. I really enjoyed the […] Read More
Great work, Lee! We’re excited to see his first flight with his RV-8. He shares: Sorry it took me so long. Aircraft has been flying 3yrs 8 months now. Full story on pages 102-103 of EAA sport Aviation November 2022 edition. Bronze Lindy awarded at AirVenture 2021.
Congratulations to Oliver on completing his first flight with his RV-14. He writes: What a fantastic feeling to fly the airplane you built with your own hands. The plane was flying perfect, well balanced with a super smooth engine and no vibration. As an upgrade from my L4, the flight characteristics are super cool. RV […] Read More
Congratulations Stefan! 1043 days ago we got our first kit from Aurora. The following 2 years my wife Silke and me spend every free minute on building our RV-14. After we received the approval from the authorities, yesterday was the day to change our status from builder to pilot. Weather was perfect, only light winds. The […] Read More
Congratulations to Mark on his new RV-7! He writes: After nineteen years of off and on building, first flight was in February 2020, finish paint August 2023. Subaru 3.0 six cylinder engine, mated to an Aerodrive gearbox and MT electric constant speed prop. Super smooth. What a blast to fly!
Nice work James! He shares: First flight, engine break in, it’s a smooth flying plane. No surprises, nice landing with 80lbs in the cargo hold. Building vs Flying? I have to go with FLYING! I learned several new skills, made some of my own custom tools, and spent $$$ on some cool new tools but […] Read More
Congratulations Larry! He shares: First flight was 44 minutes on June 4 flown by pilot Tom Berge. Flew well except for high cht in my new Lycoming engine. In subsequent flight hours, cht has cooled. Fun to fly! No pictures yet as it is unpainted (will happen be painted in October). May send photos then. […] Read More
Congratulations Richard! Minor issue with IAS but otherwise OK, Now at 72 hours and still fighting high oil temperatures.
Congratulations Dan! He writes: The RV-9A took me 2.5 years to complete. I installed a Dynon HDX panel, IO-320-D1A and a constant speed Hartzell prop. This aircraft was originally purchased as a quick build in the Mid 2000’s by a gentleman named Dave and sat for years on center island in the San Juan’s untouched […] Read More
Congratulations to Ross on the completion of his stunning RV-14! He writes: I’m a little late getting out the first flight report. N658RV first flew May 18, 2021. The first flight went very smooth with only minor adjustments to get it to fly hands off. A few big shoutouts: The gang at Bend Builders Assist who helped […] Read More
Congratulations to Matt on the first flight of his RV-7A! Check out his wonderful first flight story: FF was amazing! A few squawks, all minor…one hour and 177 miles later (all over KCVB…my ball of yarn track), she landed perfectly. New YIO-360-EXP / Hartzell CS two blade / Dynon HDX / Avidyne IFD 440 / […] Read More
Congratulations to Dan on his new RV-7! Dan writes: After 18 years of off and on building the RV-7 – my son stepped up to the challenge and along with his friends completed the construction of N4677P. The plane was finished and issued an Airworthiness Certificate on June 14, 2023. The first flight was done […] Read More
First flight was perfect!
Nice work Charles! He writes: 8/3/23: the most beautiful day ever. I flew my Van’s RV12iS, sn#121488 for the first time today. Thank you Van’s Aircraft for an excellent kit project. She flies just as advertised. Remarkable control and exciting to fly. I spent about 961 man hours over the past 12 months, mostly in […] Read More
