FIrst FLights

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 […] Read More

Congratulations Andrea! He writes: I became the owner of the RV-7 s/n 72206 on August 25, 2021 and on September 19, 2021 it was destroyed by a tornado while it was parked in the hangar at Carpi airport (Italy, ICAO code LIDU). In May 2022 my insurance paid me the damage, in July 2022 I […] Read More

Christopher’s RV-9 has flown for the first time! He writes: After briefing the tower for my first flight profile, I climbed aboard with a nervous, excited mindset. On takeoff clearance, the 2500 hours of work diminished into a single moment. What an incredible machine, looking forward to continuing the test flying phase, then the world’s […] Read More

Congrats to Shawn on completing his second RV! He writes: This is the second RV I have built, the first was an RV-7 that took me 3 years and 3 months to build with the first flight on 5/27/2014. The RV-10 journey took much longer due to job changes (and having a flying RV-7). After […] Read More

Congratulations to Matias on his new RV-7! He writes: The first flight lasted 15 minutes, it was the most focused and incredible moment of my life. Only after the flight did I realize that I had flown in an airplane that I had built myself. I love the RV-7.

Congrats to Jim! He writes: The first flight went well. The airplane flies straight and handles well.

Congratulations to Buck on his new RV-8, he writes: Construction of my dream RV-8 began way in 2002 (!) and progress stopped and started numerous times due to life getting in the way, having multiple jobs, house moves, and all sorts of other distractions — including my own desire to customize almost everything on the […] Read More

Congratulations to Kenneth on his new RV-10! He writes: I started the build in December 2018 as I retired from the electrical contracting industry and spent ever day over the last 4+ years working on the build. A heartfelt Thanks to my good friend Stuart who has been with me throughout the build. I went for […] Read More

Congratulations Ben! He writes: I started the slow build project in October 2018 and I’m pleased to say it flew in July 2023! It’s had a year in a bit of limbo, flying in primer and the addition of a few modifications but now it’s painted I can say it’s finally finished! I’ve enjoyed fixing […] Read More

Congratulations to Nathan on his new RV-12iS! He writes: After 4 years and 1 month of building our RV-12iS flew for the first time. Except for needing to adjust the rudder tab, it flew straight and true. Thanks Van for the great airplane. It has been a great retirement project.

Congrats to Rod on his RV-6! It took me 35 years to get this thing flying. I would just lose interest for sometimes years at a time, but I always got back to it. I am so appreciative of Van’s that they were always there during that time for parts and help.

Congratulations to the Ellersdorfer family on their new RV-10! Christian writes: On August 10, 2023, after more than five years of building, our RV-10 took off for the first time in LOKW (Austria). It was an overwhelming feeling to finally be able to fly the first RV-10 in Austria after so many hours in the […] Read More

Congratulations to Adrien on the completion of his new RV-7! He writes: Building the RV-7 was an amazing experience. The planning, the days spent in the hangar with my friend Xavier (also a builder), the questions, and solving (small) issues – I miss all of that today! On March 20th, after 4 years of building, […] Read More

Congrats to Kevern on the first flight of his RV-10! Today I test flew one of three RV’s ordered. We ordered full kits of the following aircraft a RV-7,RV-8 and a RV-10. The RV-7 is in final finishing stage the RV-8 is at finishing stage and the RV-10 flew today. The RV never disappoints, this […] Read More

Congratulations to Kevin on the first flight of his RV-7! He writes: N575KD is based at KHUF in Terre Haute, IN. The airport was very accommodating with the first few flight circling above class D airspace. First five flights were conducted by Elliot Abel and he completed many of the EAA task based cards for […] Read More

Congrats Dave! Rolled down the runway, and it tracked well. Felt the stick get “light”, and then I was off. It wasn’t until I was at 1100 ft, that I said to myself, well it flies and the enormity of it started to sink in. Followed Mike Busch’s recommendations on how to properly break in […] Read More

Great work, Michael! He writes: Building this aircraft has been a journey of highs and lows and a test of patience and a lesson in persistence, flying this wonderful piece of engineering is well worth the price of admission. A big Thank You to everybody at Van’s Aircraft, Van’s AirForce and EAA Tech Councilor Bob […] Read More

Congratulations to Scott on the completion of his fourth RV! He writes: Fourth first flight in personal RVs that I built over the last 20 years. Flew great with a slightly heavy left wing and too flat prop pitch. It climbed like crazy but would quickly hit the yellow for straight and level. Now have […] Read More

Congrats to Greg on his RV-7A! He writes: Greg Miller finally flew his RV-7A for the first time on Aug 14, 2024. It was perfect morning with light and variable winds and cooler than it had been for weeks. I spent 43 minutes orbiting the field with a big grin on my face. The airplane […] Read More