Estevan Di Giaimo Bataglia’s RV-14A | Weston, FL RV-14A #140932

Congratulations to Estevan! He writes:

The first flight on my homemade airplane was a thrilling blend of tension, excitement, and a deep sense of accomplishment. After years of learning and building, everything was finally in place. The engine fired up smoothly. As the plane rolled down the runway, I felt surprisingly confident. The takeoff was steady, and once airborne, the climb was steep and powerful.

While there was always the lingering thought of potential system failure, I felt well-prepared, knowing I had taken transition training on the same make and model just a month before. That training gave me a solid foundation, helping me feel in control and more at ease with the aircraft’s performance.

The flight itself was stable, but I remained alert, listening for any odd sounds or vibrations. Every part of the plane felt like it was doing its job, and the feeling of flying something I built myself was both empowering and humbling. When the landing came, it was smooth, and as the wheels touched down, a wave of relief and accomplishment washed over me. The real satisfaction wasn’t just that I flew—it was knowing that I’d done it with the confidence of preparation and the pride of having built the plane myself.