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FIrst FLights

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First Flight Reports

Tom Randel’s New RV-7 | Hortonville, Wisconsin RV-7 #73599

Congrats to Tom on his new RV-7, which he recently flew for the first time! He writes: Started my build with the tail. After nearly completing it I found a already started kit that I purchased, brought back to Wisconsin from Texas and finished, with the AW Cert on August 15, 2020. Finished paneling and […] Read More

Tim Coons’ RV-9A | Dayton Ohio RV-9A #92122

Tim writes to let us know about the first flight of his new RV-9A! I was exposed to RV’s at Oshkosh ‘85 and got hooked, but it took until 2012 before the time and money were right. The build took 8 years of steady progress. Great kit with fun challenges and a lot of learning. […] Read More

Mike Sherman’s New RV-10 | Cincinnati. OH RV-10 #41740

Congrats to Mike, who writes in: Had beautiful weather at KLUK for the first flight. Even though I had completed transition training with Mike Seager I was still surprised by how quickly the aircraft lifted off. Flew like a dream for several laps around the airport and I had a spectacular landing. After 44 years […] Read More

Poul Erik Bech’s New RV-12iS | Denmark RV-12iS #121106

Congratulations to Poul Erik Bech, on the completion and first flight of his RV-12iS! He sent in this report: On the 11 of October 2020 my RV-12iS had its first flight. No problems so far. I started to build two years ago and it has been a pleasure to build the RV-12iS. It is the […] Read More

Stefan Schroeter’s New RV-14A | Aspach / Germany RV-14A #140566

Congrats to Stefan, who recently built his third RV, and his second RV-14A! He writes: I can‘t exactly explain what went on in me… that made me build a third RV. It was probably a number of different reasons, for example people like Daryl Sahnow (top sales man from Van‘s, now retired and still a […] Read More

Bruce Stoddart’s New RV-7A | Brighton, Michigan RV-7A #73627

Join us in congratulating Bruce on the completion and first flight of his RV-7A! First flight with after all the years of building occurred October 4, 2020 from Howell, Michigan (KOZW). 2.1 hours on the first flight. No big problems, what a fun aircraft to fly. And what a thrilling day! Could never have done […] Read More

David Welsh’s RV-7 | Beaumont, Texas RV-7 #70738

Congrats to David, who stuck with it and finished his RV-7! A big thanks to Bruce Bohannon, who gave me my RV transition training and also did the first flight of my plane. HIs flying experience and skills are well beyond the low-time hours that I have under my belt, so I was relieved to […] Read More

Ray Williams’ RV-7A | Mittagong, NSW, Australia RV-7A #73427

Congrats to Ray, who writes in to tell us about the first flight of his new RV-7A, RayJen, which he completed despite some very difficult and painful circumstances. We’re truly proud that you are part of the Van’s family, Ray! After 12 years, my RV-7A took to the air with ease. It was personally challenging […] Read More

Daniel Sulzer’s New RV-7 | Switzerland RV-7 #73881

Congrats to Daniel on the first flight of his new RV-7 in Switzerland! He writes to let us all know: After 9 1/2 years of fun building with great support from my family, friends, the local RV-Community and the team from Van’s Aircraft I departed my local airport in HB-YTB #73881for the first time. All […] Read More

Mark Beard’s New RV-8 | Essex, MD RV-8 #83652

Congrats to Mark, who built his RV-8 at Synergy Air’s facilities in Oregon! Here is his first-flight report: On Monday September 21, the skys cleared of smoke over central Oregon. I flew N23MB on its first flight out of KEUG. The airplane flew straight and true, and has amazing climb performance. I will finish my […] Read More

Tom Dubrouillet’s New RV-8 | Rock Hill, SC RV-8 #83563

Tom writes in to fill us in about the first flight of his RV-8! RV-8 N563RV had it’s first flight on 1/9/19, after 2yrs and 9 months of building and painting. I had about 1000hrs of RV time in 4, 6, 8, and 7A models and 563RV behaved perfectly on her first flight No trims […] Read More