RV OF THE  WEEK Archives
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#13 / 2007: Rich Reinhart

"This is my RV-9 fresh from the paint shop in August '08.First flight was Oct.'07.  Powered by a sweet IO-360 the performance is awesome!  The panel has Van's round gauges ,Garmin X-ponder and GPS,Icom radio.  The lovely wood is lacewood.  70 hrs. of trouble-free grins.  Much thanks to Jon Thocker{RV-4 RV-4 RV-6A RV-8 RV-8 RV-8}for countless hours of advice and encouragement.  Without his help, I'd still be building!"
Thanks,
Rich Reinhart
N194D
ifly94d at yahoo.com

#12 / 2007: Marshall (rv8guy at bellsouth dot net)

I've been waiting 8 years to be RV of the week! Put me in coach.

It a slow build, with Aero sport O-360 and Whirlwind 151. the Miss Sue is for my wife who did her first cross country with me bringing it home to Athens GA, from 52F. The letters on the side are for my two boys Michael (MW)and Brian (BA), who did a lot of riveting, bucking, and even fuel tank building. Its a family airplane. I have 130 hours on it sice first flight Dec 21, 2005

Paint by Grady at GLO Custom. I still just stare at it. I was an Army pilot, which led me to the OD color that looks great.

It is still awesome for an old helicopter pilot to have something like this.
RVs are amazing.

Marshall

#11 / 2007: Lan Vinh Do (Quebec, Canada)

RV-7A flew for the first time may 31st. 2006. I have 160 hours now on the RV-7 and never had a problem. It just came out of the paint shop. (drummond aero-paint) It took 6 month to built. Special thanks to Claude Helie for building assistance.

GOSV has a TMX IO-360 180hp with a hartzell cs prop. Instruments are Dynon EFIS D100 with back-up airspeed, altitude and turn coordinator. Engine monitoring is a EMS-D120 that works very well. GPS garmin 296, transponder GTX 327. Trutrak autopilot.

Lan Vinh Do  (vinhvinh at hotmail dot com)
Quebec, Canada

#10 / 2007: Brian Forsyth (eldorado at tbaytel.net)

First Flight C-GZMZ #90576

Receipt of our flight authorization document brought the total weight of paper work to a svelte 1041 lbs, and the equation was complete. On March 16, 2007 2130Z, RV9A C-GZMZ took off from Thunder Bay International Airport. Better yet, it landed without incident 35 minutes later.

Zulu Mike Zulu has a Sensenich fixed pitch prop, 160 hp O-320, all-electric ‘traditional’ panel including Trutrak ADI ll and TC, Dupont Imron finish, all epoxy interior (Pete says never again).

The project, including a decision making trip to Sun N Fun 2002, has taken 5 years and a few thousand hours. We would like to thank the many, many people who have assisted in one way or another over that period. With any luck, we will see some of you at Sun N Fun this year.

Thanks to all,
Peter Eisenbach and Brian Forsyth
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
eldorado@tbaytel.net

#9 / 2007: Bobby Hester (bobbyhester at charter dot net)

I received my airworthiness certificate on 2/17/07 and made my first flight on 2/18/07. Everything went well, great being able to fly it. It took 5 years 7 months and about 2260 hrs of construction. Superior XP-O360 engine, Garmin stack, AF-2500 engine monitor and Dynon EFIS.
Thanks to everyone that helped over the net.

#8 / 2007: Stan Shannon

N211TX  First flight 10-29-06 RV9-tail wheel-39 hrs--almost done--weather slowed this down.  Lyc 0235-L2C [39hrs OH by an A&P]--the engine that Van designed it for--150mph on 4.5gal.  More roomy than RV6--I built and flew one for 500+ hrs. This has Tip up Canopy and special baggage doors--rather than rear window--who looks back?
TruTrac ADI VFR panel.  My 3rd RV--flies great.
STAN SHANNON
Chairman & CEO--EAA TEXAS Fly-In
3033 White Oak Rd.
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
stan@swrfi.org
830-997-8802 cell-830-456-2182

#7 / 2007: Charles Moore

I was at 52F Friday morning for breakfast and saw a new one emerge from Grady's GLO Paint Shop.  I drove down with the camera and got these shots.  The owner was sched'd to pick it up Friday and fly it back down to San Antonio, TX.  dr

#6 / 2007: Gar and Julie Didericksen

In May of 2005 kit #22465 (527 BC) took to the air for the first time. With assistance from Wally Anderson and the guys at Synergy Air the RV6A passed inspection with flying colors. It's Lycoming 0-360 and Hartzel C/S prop make for a fun ride. The ultra-leather seats and side panels were designed and created by Melissa at Interiors by Melissa in Medford, OR. The exterior paint was applied by John Stahr in Eugene, OR. It's equipped with Garmin 496, a EFIS D10A, AM-FM disc player, Electronic International gauges, PM3000 stereo intercom, NAVAID, electric flaps, X-ponder, mode C and I love it!! I have a private 1,000 ft. grass airstrip and it is a breeze landing or departing. What a performer. I've been on several cross-countries without a hitch. Currently we have 178 hrs. on it. What a joy. Thanks to everyone who had a hand in helping me finish this project.
Gar Didericksen
jgflyrv6a@scml.us

#5 / 2007: David Burden

In March of 2006 the assortment of aluminum parts delivered to my home over the prior 3 years took off from Bulverde Airpark in close formation and carried me up at a rate of 1500+ fpm and a speed of 110 kts. To this day I still can not put into words the thrill of this first flight.

Since then 9DB has accumulated over 100 hrs. flying time and has traveled all over Texas as well as making two trips to N. Arizona to help my brother build his RV7a.

The aircraft is a quick build, is powered by an ECI 0360/180 with L.S. electronic ign and a smoooooth running Catto 3 blade fp composite prop. I installed a James cowl and cooling plenum and the plane is all electric with a back up B&C alternator on the vacuum pad. The panel is "light" IFR with Dynon 10a, TruTrak Pic Pilot and Alt Hold, PS 8000 audio panel, GNS 430 nav/com, GTX 327 transponder, and an AF2500 engine monitor.

The interior is Aero Classic and the paint job was done by Francis Poplawski of Ennis, Texas (an absolute artist!!).

She is a fast and efficient transport and an absolute "blast" to fly!!!

Dave B.
San Antonio, Texas---100+ hrs and a permanent smile!!!!

#4 / 2007: Kurt Klewin

Our RV-6A, N85KC, was completed in May of 2004 after 1860 hours of construction. I started with a slow build tail kit in 1999 and added a quick build fuse and wings. The engine is an Aerosport O-360-A2A with a sensenich fixed pitch cruise prop. Burning lots of gas it will do 170 Knots, but at 55% power it burns 6.0 gph at 140 Knots. With 55 total gallons (8.5 gal tip tanks) it will cruise for almost 9 hours. Its longest non-stop flight has been 6.6 hours, Oklahoma City to Billings, Montana. Still landed with 15 gallons of gas! Max altitude has been 21,000 ft (Oxygen by Mountain High). Paint was completed by Calvin Gillis in Oklahoma City (www.gillisaeropaint.com). Tail graphics were done by Freedom Design. It has flown about 135 trouble free hours. Aircraft is based at Wiley Post Airport (PWA) in Oklahoma City. Special thanks to my wife Carol for staying married to me during the building process. =)

Kurt Klewin
kklewin@yahoo.com

#3 / 2007: Pete Howell
RV-9A N789PH was built from a QB kit over a 3 year time span with a 10-21-06 first flight. She flies great fast or slow with an ECI 0-320 that I helped build at America's Aircraft Engines in Tulsa. An SL-40 and TDR-950 keep me in touch, and a 396 navigates and feeds data to the TT ADI Pilot 2 and the
Dynon EMS. A Dynon D-10A will join the mix soon. The TrafficScope VRX is
a great safety measure, I use it every flight. The compass is an electronic flux-gate marine unit, and it works great. LED nav lights and HID landing light of my own design let me see and be seen.

Performance is just as Van's said. My daughter and I like to loaf along at 130 mph (4.1 GPH) I engage the alt hold and she "steers"(she likes to follow rivers mostly). It is a fun cruiser!

#2 / 2007: Martin and Claudia Sutter
N678CM first got air under her wings on April 25th, 2006. She is an RV7A quick-build with an Aero Sport Power IO-360M1 with dual P-Mags and a Hartzell blended air foil prop. The panel features a Grand Rapids Horizon1 dual screen EFIS supported by a GNS430, SL40, TXP327 and PS engineering 6000 audio panel. A TrueTrak Digiflight II VSGV auto pilot takes over the flying duties when the pilot desires a rest. The superbly comfortable interior is by Classic Aero and the fabulous paint by Poplawski of Ennis, TX.

Since the first flight I have managed to accumulate 90 hrs and have been very satisfied with 678CM's performance. The Power Sport engine is very smooth and powerful and the Grand Rapids EFIS is amazingly capable. The N-number denotes the types of RV's I have built and our first names. Total construction time was 12 month.

#1 / 2007: Jim Martin
RV-9A 137JM (builder 91076) made its first flight at KOSA Texas Nov.1,2006 after 21 months construction.  Flight went as requested, very uneventful.  All the numbers were in the green with a later corrected charging problem.  The two chase planes were an RV4 piloted by Jerome Strickland, co piloted by Jim Martin Jr. AKA Junior.  The RV6 was piloted by Wes McMillon accompanied by my wife and photographer Andie Martin.  Thanks for all of Vans help and the great design of the RV.  A big thanks to Jerome Strickland AP, AI whose grin was almost as big as mine.  Powered by ECI 0360 fixed pitch Sensenich prop. with a glass panel, Dual Grand Rapids Horizon EFIS, EIS 400 engine monitor, Garmin radios, Transponder and a 396.  An AOA and Trutrak auto pilot makes the flying fun.

#30/2006: Mel Towner
I'm following up Jon Farley's RV of the week submission with a photo of my recently completed RV-6. Our planes are hangar mates at KAEG in Albuquerque.

My RV-6 has been a project for the past 7 years. It is powered by a TMX O-360 and Hartzell prop. I'll be adding a GrandRapids Sport and Garmin 496 this winter. I applied my own paint in a temporary booth in my driveway. Turned out pretty respectable, although some folks say I should owe Randy Lervold a royalty for the color scheme. For what it's worth, both of the tails on the planes are the same Red used for the Mattituck Red/Gold engines.

Looking forward to stretching it's legs on some long cross-countries next year. Namely, Sun N Fun and Oshkosh!

Mel Towner
Mtowner 'at' photon.com

#29/2006: Jon Farley
I got my RV-8 back from the paint shop less than two weeks ago, and what a beautiful job they did. Flying Colors of Texas in Gainesville did the paint (owner Mark Zello).
www.flyingcolorsoftexas.com

What a great company to work with. He told me it would take 3 weeks, and I flew over to pick it up 3 weeks to the day after I dropped it off, for exactly the price he quoted at the initial meeting. He even drove me to Love Field for my return trip to ABQ after I left the plane in Gainesville! Even if you don't need your plane painted, there are a couple of really top-notch Bar-B-Que joints within a mile of his shop.

This RV was a "slow-build" that required 8 years to finish, due to the same reasons anyone else takes that long (trying to maintain family, job, etc.). But is it ever worth it now!! I can honestly say the airplane exceeds my expectations, and after 8 years of anticipation, I'd have to say I had pretty high expectations. A year of flying a Citabria I co-own with Mel Towner (just finished a beautiful RV-6) prepared me well for the ground-handling of the -8. Know anyone who needs a really sweet Citabria to get ready for flying their RV? Have 'em email me. As much as I'd like to keep it to train my kids in, our wives say it has to go.

Now all I've gotta do is heal up from a little surprise back surgery, then I can really find out how this beauty performs! Looking forward to seeing everyone at Sun N Fun & Oshkosh next year!
Jon Farley
jfarley81@comcast.net

#28/2006: Mike Bauer
This is my RV-3, N87LB. My father and I built it over a 2 1/2 year period. It is powered by a O-320, and a Ed Sterba cruise prop. Top speed is 205 mph. I inherited it after my father passed way in 2004, and my brother and I made some mods to it, and brought it up to date instrument-wise. At one point in the construction I asked my father if he was going to put a glass cockpit in, he said sure, all of the instruments are covered with glass!  This plane was featured in the April 2006 issue of Sport Aviation, what our members are building section.  If it looks a little rough, that's because it has been flying for 17 years!

#27/2006: Mark Phipps
My RV6A the "Gypsy Spirit" is based at the Longmont Colorado airport and made her first flight in late 2005 after 5 and 1/2 years of construction. The picture is of her flying over the Sangre De Cristo Mountains in Southern Colorado. She has an high performance Lycoming 0-320, Ellison Throttle Body and Hartzell Constant Speed Prop. I have just over 100 hours of flight time on her now including some great cross countrys, Made easier by the GRT Horizon EFIS. The beautiful paint job was completed by Dennis Tracy of Erie Colorado. This airplane is fast, true and incredibly fun to fly.
Mark Phipps - skydive80020 at yahoo dot com

#26/2006: Ernest Horan of Topsham, Maine
This RV-6QB (s/n 5) is based in Maine and is just out of Grady's paint shop (web).  I happened to land right as they were pulling it out for the owner to pick up.  So, I went down and took some pics before he arrived.  While I was putting Flash away I saw him at the run-up area and got the camera out in time to catch him on his departure.  dr

#25/2006: Bill Anton

This is “freedom”, an RV-8 visualized 10 years ago, began 8 years ago and finished 6/29/2006 the day the airworthiness certificate was awarded. First flight was 7/1/2006 and lasted 11 minutes. The airspeed read zero and both of those $100@ lockable fuel caps popped out because the epoxy didn’t set up. It causes the heart rate to jump fairly high when you see the fuel being sucked out of both tanks at the same time. However, with those two minor glitches corrected the next flight was 55 minutes with the plane performing as advertised. The next flight took “freedom” home to its own hangar on our 2000’ grass strip (SN98). The paint job was completed before the first flight. It’s powered by a zero time IO360A1B6 200 hp taken from a Bulldog, RAF trainer. The cowling is Sam James with the Sam James plenum. It’s pulled along with the Whirlwind 200RV prop. Ignition comes from dual Plasma III Lightspeed boxes and the electrical system is all electric with B&C alternators and starter. The landing gear is two piece Grove airfoil aluminum.

Since I didn’t want to waste all the time and money spent on my instrument rating, the panel is full IFR with the PS PMA6000MC audio panel, Garmin G530, SL30, GTX327 transponder, Garmin MD200 Nav indicator and an Altrac altitude hold and Navaid autopilot. It has conventional flight instruments and the Advanced 2002 engine/everything monitor. Another fun little toy to fly with is the Sport Angle of Attack indicator.

I know, I went a little crazy, but I couldn’t stop after I got started. After all, I have never been able to justify my habit, just rationalize it.

I have had several small squawks to solve since that first flight with a few more to go, but that helps me not have to experience total builder’s withdrawal. After eight years of almost total immersion in something, it’s hard to quit cold turkey. I’m still pinching myself to realize there’s an airplane sitting 50 yards away that I built and that I can go jump in and be anywhere in a 500 mile radius in an easy 2 ½ hour hop. Or after a hard day at work I can come home and be looping and rolling before it gets dark.

I managed to get the 40 required hours flown off in time to head for Oshkosh. My wife got in for her first ride and ended up in Wisconsin. From there we flew to northern Minnesota to visit relatives. We’ve also flown to Angel Fire, NM, elevation 8400’, to try out the high altitude performance and oxygen. Amazing!! As Van’s says, TOTAL PERFORMANCE.

Bill Anton
N46BV
75 hours & looking forward to many more.

#24/2006: Ed O'Quinn
...of Magnolia, TX.  Ed was parked at Hilltop Lakes, TX Sunday (9/24/06) and met some of us.  He kindly let me take a picture of his beautiful RV-7 as Rusty Williams began his flare overhead.

#23/2006: Joe Blank

N6810B’s first flew after 5 years, 5 months, and 4 days of construction on 05/02/04. Built from a (not so) quickbuild kit, it’s motivated by an AeroSport Power IO-320-D1A, Hartzall C/S prop, high compression pistons, LSI electronic ignition, and Airflow Performance fuel injection. The performance figures are ‘standard’ Van’s for this aircraft. Painted in custom Dupont Imron colors, N6810B has been coast to coast and is an amazing cross country machine. It also has impressive formation and aerobatic capabilities. With the ability to run Lean of Peak, this efficient aircraft gets over 30 MPG on some cross country legs while maintaining at least 150 MPH over the ground. This RV has an excellent sound system consisting of Pioneer AM/FM/CD player, Bose headsets, and a pair of 5x8 Polk Audio speakers mounted in the aft baggage partition. If you are an audiophile, this is a very nice way to travel and enjoy music!

Thanks to all those involved with the support of this project, including my wife Tricia, son Jamie; Mom, Dad, brother Dave; all the folks at Van’s (including Van, Dale Giese and Tom ‘just build it’ Green); Mike Robertson, Dan Benua, Randall Henderson, Van’s Airforce Homewing/EAA 105 Chapter, Mike Seager for the excellent training, AeroSport Power for building a great powerplant, and of course ‘Krash’ Reeves @ vansairforce.net.

Joe Blank
RV-6
N6810B
KOL05

#22/2006: Paul Irlbeck

Paul Irlbeck completed the first RV-10 to fly in Minnesota.  Paul's first RV was the first RV-4 to be completed in Minnesota.  N522RV sports an IO540 and Hartzell Blended Airfoil propeller.  The panel is anchored by Chelton S-10 PFD. & MFDs.  Paul developed the fiberglass panel featuring a radio stack angled toward the pilot, that also incorporated Van's throttle quadrant for Aerocraft Avionics.  First flight was in October.  The plane was featured at the December meeting of Van's Minnesota Wing to the enjoyment of all in attendance. 
Paul Irlbeck (pirlbeck 'at' lakes 'dot' com)

#21/2006: Alex Strickland
My background is Air National Guard (A-7) and airlines (B-727 and B-737.) I have to say the RV is one of the nicest flying aircraft I have ever flown, and clearly one of the most economical. According to my JPI FS-450, at "sightseeing" power settings, I've seen around 5 GPH and up to 7.5 GPH at normal cruise. At approximately 55% cruise power, the JPI fuel monitor shows approximately 6 hours of fuel on board!

I want to thank my wife, Debra for all of her support over the years, Mark Delano who helped me put together my engine, Denis Walsh who taught me to rivet and Gary Zilik. Without Gary's help, my RV-6 wouldn't be flying today.

Alex Strickland
alexs737@hotmail.com
 

#20/2006: Dave Kewley

First flight was July 2 11:00AM from KPNT everything went as planned and all gages stayed in the green. N25DK weighted at 1118#, IO-360-A1A (200HP) Hartzell c/s painted. I am having a great time fly so far 5hr.
Dave Kewley
rv7adak@hotmail.com

#19/2006: Mike Ballard (mballard at knology.net)

Kit number 82245 is no longer a kit but has been transformed into a flying RV-8 appropriately name Judy, Judy, Judy, Number 2. This 8 has a TMX IO-360 with all the GRT glass panel goodies. Just beginning Phase One flight test but already confirmed it is fast! See more at my web site.
http://www.knology.net/~mballard/
Mike "Fossil" Ballard

#18/2006: Brian Sader (brian at weepingwings dot com)

February 13th 2006 was the maiden flight for 46BK. (Daughters initials and birth date) It is an RV8 with an 0-320 160HP engine, and Aymar Demuth “climb” prop. It was very exciting, and after having several hours with Alex DeDominicis, I greased the landing! Slight heavy wing, but it now tops out at 190mph indicated. I’ve since added a smoke system with dual injectors from smoking airplanes.com and have burned around 70 gallons of smoke fluid in the 84 hours currently on the plane. Yes its addictive! Thanks to Vans for an excellent kit, and a great overall experience in building this plane.
Brian Sader
Salina, Ks
785-787-0719

#17/2006: Darwin Barrie
I purchased kit number 70022 as a project in progress. It was about QB stage. Nearly 2.5 years later 7EE flew for the first time, completely as advertised. Painting began in March and was completed 10 weeks later. The power is an ECI IO360 built by Robbie Attaway at Attawayair. The panel is a carbon fiber lay up and bolted to the Van's panel with RC hardware. The panel includes a Dynon10A, Garmin 340, 430, SL40, 330S, 106A CDI, AF2500 engine monitor, Trutrak Digiflight II VSGV, Trutrak T&B, EXP switch panel, E/Mag, P/Mag system, XM radio, model plane carrying box under the turtledeck, Fairings etc tail and intersection fairings, Silver bullet tail link, Attaway canopy latch (now Fairings etc.) and Whirlwind 200RV prop. The finish is Dupont polyeurathane basecoat/clearcoat. Colors are pearl white, Viper Red, Dodge Electric blue and a gold from a chipchart. In the process of installing Flightline interior from Abby Erdmann.

Darwin N. Barrie
ktlkrn@cox.net

#16/2006: Andre' Olivier

 I successfully located, inspected and bought another RV4 for a a friend, my 13th RV4 convertee. (my new calling)I should get a cut from Van! It's new owner, Andre' Olivier from New Orleans has already nicknamed her "Sting" and is a real beauty. Like we do in the F16, I checked Andre' and his close friend Dale out separately from close chase in another RV4, a technique they (and I) really liked. Both were already outstanding Tcraft drivers with over 1500 tailwheel hours. Andre' flew Sting home at 11,500' from Dallas with a big grin and a Cajun YAAA-EEEE!
Sting has an autogas capable 0-320 D3A swinging a Sensy Wood cruise prop with Apollo GPS and X-pndr, basic IFR and Oregon Aero Leather seats. It has the absolute smoothest control feel of any RV I have flown and is very fast for 150HP, 150 KTS cruise at 7.5 GPH on 87 Octane Autogas, you just can't beat it. I will get some A-A shots when I can...see ya!

Respectfully submitted...

Smokey

#15/2006: Pat 'Trout' Falley

...sent in by Rob 'Smokey' Ray
"I am submitting a picture of my friend Pat "Trout" Falley's RV-4 for the RV of the week. These pics were taken after a recent facelift. Pat is a former Navy Top Gun instructor having flown the F-14, A-4 and F-16N. His RV-4 "Ole Yeller" is a 160HP with FP Hertzler composite prop, Rose EI, Sam James cowling, wheelpants and plenum. Like all RV-4's, it is the most bang for the buck in an RV, and shares the best flying of them all title with the RV3. Hey, they fly like a little fighter...questions?

Faithfully submitted...

Smokey (smokey at vansairforce.net)

#14/2006: Grant Piper (VH-PIO)

Took some pics today -it's like herding chooks around here sometimes!  Pictured also are my wife Annette, and children Langdon, Celia and Meredith. Annette and I were dating when all this began!

The RV-4 is #1435. I bought plans in 1986, started cutting metal in 1989, and flew in June 2003. I bought parts of the 'kit' (such it was back then), namely the weldments, canopy, f'glass, hardware and a spar set (unriveted). All the sheet metal was done from the flat on form blocks. I bought a new O-360-A1A from Van's in 1991 for $12995 (I should have bought more!). It sat on a stand for ten years before I ran it in the 'plane.

In current configuration with inverted oil system and the Ellison it weighs 964Lb @16.3%MAC with oil. The prop is a Hendrickson, and I don't have a light or a gyro anywhere - it's pure VFR, though I do have a Mode C transponder as well as a VHF. ~75% cruise gives me 172KTAS @ 9USGal/hr.

PIO is no showpony, the paint is a bit rough and the interior reflects my military background (i.e. spartan!), but it is a great aircraft and incredibly versatile, as all RV owners know. What else can you fly high, fast, low, slow, and win aerobatics competitions with?

'Over Easter I flew my RV-4 VH-PIO in the Australian National Aerobatics Championships and won Sportsman category with scores of 80.8% for my known and 84.7% for my optional Free.   Beat several Pitts and Decathlons  to get there.

If anyone wants to visit Oz and go flying, give me a call.

Grant Piper (grant.piper at bigpond.com)
EAA160850
IAC
SAAA 727 (TC)
ph/fax 61-2-6377 4556

#13/2006: Dann Parks
[ed. Dann sent these pictures pre-sized just like I like them <g>.  I was so pleased I'm including them all!  Dann, you made the RVOTW a snap to do this week!!!  Beautiful plane!!!  dr]

After 9 years of on and off building N786DB is finally in the air. What an exciting day it was. I had gotten Randy Lervold and lots of RV guys and A&P's to look it over, and I had spend 3 hours with Mike Seager in his 6A training aircraft, so I felt the plane and I were ready. Even so, it doesn't prepare you for the exhilaration the first time you put the throttle to the wall and the thing leaps into the air. These are amazing machines and a great family of friends and supporters to be involved with.

N786DB is a slow-build 6A with an XP-360 I had built by Eagle Engines in Redding, CA. It has an Ellison TBI, standard mags, and a Hartzell Blended AF prop. The panel includes a Dynon D-10, Becker comm and xponder, UBG-16, DigiFlight II AP, Shadin Fuel Flow, Monroy Traffic Watch, and assorted Vans gauges. I wanted to make a comfortable cross-country cruiser, so I put in a lot of insulation and sound absorption material. It has leather Oregon Aero seats and custom side panels and a center arm rest. All this, and a lot of bright yellow paint, made it come in a little chubby at 1129 lbs.

I did a modification to the instrument panel that allows the entire panel to tilt down for easy access to all the wiring. Because it hinges at the bottom of the forward panel bulkhead, all the deep instruments clear the glareshield as the panel tilts. This was made easier by the fact that all the instruments are short and didn't require making any holes in the forward bulkhead.

I'm 20 hours into the 40 hour fly-off and everything is working well. There were initially some problems with the comm and xponder. It turned out that I had cross-connected the antennas. An easy fix, and everything is fine now.

Looking forward to meeting lots of RV builders and fans at flyins and get togethers in the future. If you see a bright yellow and red 6A come by and say hi.

Dann Parks, Parkside Airpark, WA
dparks at spiritone.com

#12/2006: Mike Schipper

I wanted to give your readers a report on my experience with Grady O'Neal at GLO Custom. I picked up my plane today after four weeks at the paint shop and the results are amazing. Grady did a great job on the plane and I enjoyed working with him.

I have chronicled the paint process on my website for those who wonder what goes into painting an RV. You can see the entire process at http://www.my9a.com/flight5.asp

Regards,
Mike Schipper
www.my9a.com

#11/2006

This is my Dad's RV-10, although I have many hours in this project. Here's a brief history about our experience with Vans Aircraft.

My Dad is fast approaching his 82nd birthday, and his list of accomplishments are too numerous to post here, but let this be a record of the past 5 years and his desire to build and fly a Vans Aircraft Kit Plane.

When Mom passed away back in the summer of 2001, he decided to occupy his time in building an experimental aircraft. He's had an interest in aviation since he was a little boy, obtained his pilot's license on the GI Bill after serving in the Army in WWII. He has built several ultra-light planes and helped others build kit planes, and after reading about Vans Aircraft Company, he ordered the plans, video and empennage kit for an RV-6A and followed up with the entire Quick-build kit. This plane flew in 2 1/2 years from start to finish. He made several cross-country trips with a neighbor that helped in the project, but unfortunately the 6A was involved in a mishap during landing. The plane was totaled, but fortunately, nobody was hurt.

It didn't take my Dad long, after reading about the new RV-10, "...let's build another one...". We traveled out to Oregon in late Nov 2004, walked into Vans front office, ordered a complete RV-10 kit, and took a demo ride in Vans RV-10 prototype. Bits and pieces of the kit began arriving in late Dec 2004 and we were amazed how much faster this plane was coming together with the match-drill technology that Vans had implemented.

The biggest change we made in the RV-10 vs the 6A was to equip it with a glass cockpit. Blue Mountain Avionics EFIS-1 provided the biggest bang for the buck, and although there were several configuration issues during installation, it is now fully functional with integrated auto-pilot.

The RV-10 flew for the first time on September 15, 2005, a little over a year and a half from the start of the project. The first flight and 40 hour phase one testing was completed without paint and taken out of service in late Nov 2005 for new paint and interior finish. The wings and empennage were removed for painting.

Our new RV-10 is now sporting a unique monarch butterfly paint scheme and is back flying again just in time for my Dad's 82nd birthday next week. This RV has caught the attention of many a pilot in and around our private residential / aviation community here at Wellingtion Aero Club. Several friends are planning to fly with my Dad to Sun-n-Fun coming up in Lakeland, FL. These butterfly wings should get some attention, both in the air and on the ground.

Power comes from a rebuilt Lyc IO-540.

It's been an amazing 5 years, being involved in 2 Vans airplane projects. My Dad is to be commended for the enthusiasm, accomplishment and successful completion of 2 RV's in 5 years.

Brent Headberg (son) brenthg at yahoo.com
West Palm Beach, FL

Previous RVs of the Week:

10/2006: Pete Joslin
I wanted to send in pictures of my completed 6A. I purchased the plane in 2004 with 380 hours on it and it was a very basic VFR plane. We replaced everything from the firewall forward to include a new IO-360 ECI Titan engine, Laser ignition, Sensenich fixed pitch prop, and the Holy Cowl by the James' brothers. The instruments were replaced with a Garmin 430, Dynon D10, ECI fuel and engine monitor guages, Trio autopilot and a Garmin 396 which provides Nexrad weather. Whelen Comet Flash strobes were also installed. Except for painting 2 stripes on the cowling and the nose wheel everything is completed. Flies as advertised- 194 MPH in cruise and uses about 7.2 GPH when leaned 60 ROP. Climb can be 1500-2500 FPM depending upon existing temperatures and our operating temperatures are 1340 EGT and average 315 CHT in cruise. A big thanks to "Turbo" Tom Wyatt ( deceased ) Mike Stewart and Bill Waters ( all from EAA Chapter 690 Lawrenceville, Georgia ) for all their help and support. After owning Cessnas and Pipers what a great airplane to fly!

Pete Joslin
pjoslin@bellsouth.net

#9/2006: Larry A. Pink
N7WT. RV-7A serial # 70917, lovingly known as Wild Thing, broke the surly bonds on October 29, 2005 after 3 1/2 years of construction. The throttle handle is attached to a 180 HP Aerosport power IO-360 turning a Hartzell blended airfoil constant speed prop. We sit behind a full IFR affordable panel that contains a Garmin stack coupled to a True Track autopilot. Other features include an angle of attack indicator, infinity stick grips, complete engine monitoring CHT,EGT, fuel flow, fuel pressure, and digital oil pres/temp, volt/amp instrumentation. She flies straight and true so look for us at an RV fly-in near you :-)

Wild thing Aeronautics
N7WT

#8/2006: Vince Welch
After 5-1/2 years, N327W took to the air in August 2005 sans paint. She sports a full IFR panel including a Trio autopilot and Altek altitude hold. She's powered by an IO-360-A1A and Hartzell constant speed prop. After flying the 40 hours off with no major problems, she went to the paint shop in October. M.J. Ventura at the Beaver Falls airport (BVI) in Pennsylvania did a fantastic job with the paint. Now its time to go have some fun.

Vince Welch - Vince [vwelchsr 'at' verizon.net]

#7/2006: Patrick Driscoll (Dayton, OH)
(pdriscollfamily 'at' earthlink 'dot' net)

I have been flying my Rv8 for over a year and have accumulated over 120 hours of fun. My aircraft is very light 998lbs without the paint and has an O-320 (160hp) Lycoming engine with a Catto two bladed propeller. I also have a Bluemountain EFIS One and a Bluemountain EFIS light.

#6/2006: Jack Holland (jackrv7 'at' speednet 'dot' com)
"The attached photos are of my RV-7. I received my tail kit 1-20-2003 and the first flight was 2-06-2005. I have flown 107 hours since then. I have a IO- 360 under the cowl, built by Don's Dream Machines in Griffin, GA. The prop is a Whirlwind 200 RV. The panel was done by Jason Smith at Aerotronics in Billings, MT. The paint is by Russ Ellis at Woodlake Refinishing, Inc., Sandwich, IL. I was VERY lucky to have continuous help from Tom Swearingen, our EAA Chapter Tech. consoler and good friend. I just can't thank Tom enough."

#5/2006: Vern Little
Van's RV-9A, Canadian registry C-FVRL completed it's first flight, today January 24th, 2006. With Safety Pilot Mike Langford and Pilot/Builder Vernon Little on board, it departed Boundary Bay Airport (CZBB) in an awful hurry after a long gestation period of 3-1/2 years and 3,396.6 shop hours. As predicted for more than three years, it flew on 'Tuesday'.

Mike Langford, a very experienced pilot/instructor was very impressed with the handling of the -9A. Mike owns a Harvard, a T-28 and an R-22, however, we think Van's can expect a new customer in the near future...

Fuselage is a Quickbuild, everything else was a (relatively) slow build.
Paint is by Arrow Tech Graphics in Langley, B.C.. Interior is by Flightline Interiors. Avionics and wiring was by the builder.

Empty weight is 1085 lbs. Engine is an Aerosport O-320-A1AC2 Roller Lifter engine, and the prop is the standard Sensenich metal fixed pitch.
Mags are conventional. The panel is night VFR/VFR OTT with Dynon EFIS, Trutrak Autopilot and Turn and Bank, Garmin GPSMap 296, Rocky Mountain Engine Monitor, Garmin SL-40 Comm and GTX-327 Transponder.
Traffic Monitor is a Monroy ATD-300 "Don't leave home without it".
Engine monitor interface and audio mixer are from Vx Aviation.

After one hour of flight time, C-FVRL touched down delicately and taxied in to an adoring throng of two or three people. The RV grins were infectious.

Vernon Little
January 24th, 2006. "Tuesday"

#4/2006: Scott (and Vanessa) Jackson
a b c
a (from Dad Scott Jackson).....[Here is my] oldest daughter Vanessa and her instructor as taken from a flying school 172 filled with students on a pie run.  She told me she was going for some hood work, I can only assume it must have been unusual attitudes.....

b And here's a picture of daughter Vanessa homebound from a dual cross-country for her Private Licence, six months after both her and the Imitutor crashed (article) and were put back in the air.  Funny, her hair usually only looks like that after some serious negative-G......at least that would explain the grin!

c And a picture of my intentionally-stone-age panel.
just showing my age, I guess....

Scott Jackson

3/2006: Brian Sowell

N9612S took 2.5 years to build and made her first flight on June 14, 2005. I now have over 70 hours on her. She was built from a mixed kit --slow build wing and quick build fuselage. She's powered by an 0-320 160hp Lycoming with a Catto 3-bladed prop.

The panel houses:

- Dynon D-10A
- Panel mounted Garmin 196
- Trutrak Digitrak Autopilot
- ICom A200
- Bendix King KT-71 Transponder
- Grand Rapids EIS with Fuel Flow
- Conventional IAS, VSI, Altimeter and Compass and some other stuff

She's a dream come true. There's nothing like being able to jump in and go. Instead of 7 hours away, the beach is now only 1.5. I can't say enough about the 9's capabilities and handling. Van really hit a home run.

Brian
RV-9A
Kit #90612
N9612S
bsowell at digitex.net

#2/2006: Vern Darley

Vern Darley is pictured just after his first flight of his RV-6A, N680V on Dec 24th, 2005 along with the proverbial 'RV grin!' Vern's RV is a a five year project that was constructed entirely of partial and orphaned parts from other builders' abandoned projects. It is powered by an O-320 H2AD engine, Sensenich prop, has steam guages,a Garmin 396, and an IK-2000 engine monitor.

Vern's goal was to build as inexpensively as possible and gradually upgrade as resources allow. Consequently, Vern's total cash outlay was less than many Rv'ers are putting into their panels. Hopefully this will encourage other RV'ers who lack the resources to build a current state of art RV that they can make a respectable entry into 'RV World' and improve on their birds as seasons of life change. With as many kits as Vans has sent out into the field, many older abandoned kits are available and languishing. Certainly the new kits are easier,faster,sleeker, and produce beautiful aircraft, but are simply not affordable for all. 'Sweat equity' works in aviation as well as real estate.

vern@mindspring.com
Falcon RV Squadron
D-30 KFFC
Peachtree City, GA #1/2006: Scott 'Chomp' Toornburg (chomp 'at' vansairforce.net)
I've known Scott for over 30 years, was a groomsman in his wedding (and he in mine). He caught the RV bug as a passenger with me on my first Homecoming trip (he hadn't even taken a flying lesson at that point).  I'm very proud of my good buddy's accomplishment and am looking forward to hundreds and hundreds of breakfast flights over the next 30-40 years! dr

RV-7QB N23KT.  ECi 180hp (carb) with Hartzell C/S.  Dynon.  Garmin 530.  Digitflight-II autopilot.  Painted by Grady at www.GLOCustom.com.  Finished under the tutelage of Jay Pratt at www.RVCentral.us.

#37: Tony Partain

"Transporter" now has 60 hours on it and is flying great. The interior is from Luke at Classic Aero and turned out fantastic! Van would cringe at the extra weight but I am willing to give up a little climb rate for some comfort. The interior panels made quite a difference in the amount of cold transferring from the bare fuselage skins. Up here in the great Northwest it helps if you want fly in the winter months.

The panel was done by Lancair here in Bend Oregon. It’s a custom fiberglass frame with aluminum panels. Funny, my panel budget doubled from the original design, but I was worth it.

The engine is an Aerosport Power IO360 M with one Lasar ignition. It swinging a Hartzel CS Blended foil prop.

The paint was done by Advanced Aviation. This is the place were Lancairs IVP’s go to get Garrett Turbine conversions! 875 HP. Can you say get out of the way! They were test flying one the other day and it would climb out at 225 knots, 4000 fpm.

Transporter turned out to fly right on the numbers that Vans publish. 200 mph cruise. It weighs in at 1117 lbs. and has averaged 8.7 gph since its first flight.

Is this a great country or what!?

Tony Partain
Partain Transport Company
2512 NW Ordway Ave
Bend OR 97701
800-774-0828 watts
541-330-0828 local
541-330-0831 fax
541-749-0835 cell
tpartain at bendbroadband.com

click for 1024 pixel enlargement

#36: Luigi Franceschetti (RV-7 Italy)
email: luigi.franceschetti at sixcargo.com
  This is Luigi Franceschetti.  I almost logged 100 hours on it from May 2005 and she flies great!  By the way, I saw that on your website you sometimes post photos of X-Country, so I attached some photos made on one X.country from Bolzano Airport in Italy to Kempten Airport in Germany.  As you can see there are stunning views of the Alps, the minimum enroute altitude there is 12.000 feet, but they are easy to reach with the RV7 (especially if you are flying solo as I was doing in that time!).  The flight was marvellous, but for anybody who would like to cross the Alps (by the way there is even a big pond to cross if you want to come to Italy!), I strongly suggest a good metereological briefing and maybe it worths to have a good oxygen system on the plane (I do not). The quality of the photos is not good, because I made them with my mobile phone (it is great to send these images from the phone to friends who are working while you are flying...).  I keep repeating myself to drop a digital camera in the cockpit, but I always forget, so this is what I have right now.
Thanks
Ciao
Luigi

Foto 18.jpg
The propeller is OK, it is just the camera...


Foto 17.jpg
Austria, not far away from Innsbruck Airport.


Foto 15.jpg
Big glacier, actually do you know that here in Europe (maube even in US), the glacier are melting down and you can spot the difference from one year to another?


Foto 11.jpg
Here we are, no oxygen on board unfortunately so this is the best I can do and just for a short time...


Foto 10.jpg
Here we are (top photo) on Kempten Airport in Germany, after flying from Italy and flying over Austria. You can spot a typical German church in the back. On the left you can see RV6A (part of it) of a friend.

Foto 08.jpg
On the way back to Italy, on Germany.


Foto 06.jpg
Back in Italy, you can see the fog raising at low levels.


Foto 03.jpg
Here I am...(Luigi)

#35: Jon Scholl

I started this RV6 standard build in 1996. Nine years later, N968JS flew from Aerocountry Airport in McKinney, TX for the first time in April of 2005. Chuck Wilson took it up the first time, and lived to tell about it. Since then, it's accumulated 90 hours of near flawless flight time, mostly cross country. It is powered by a new 160HP Lycoming, and instruments include a Blue Mountain EFISOne and EFISLite, and SL30. This is all owner-built with some deviations from plans including left hand throttle (too much time in tandems...I had to have it), and Hotel Whiskey extended range tanks. A word about the paint: a friend and I did all the surface preparation, and painted the black basecoat and the five clear coats. Mike Lavallee airbrushed the incredible TruFire flames on it. Thanks to Chuck Wilson, Jeff Hanson, Dave Dalski, and Ken Everill for always lending a helping hand....I may still have some of their tools!
Jon Scholl [Scholl.Jon at bcg.com]

#34/2005: Alan Carroll

[carroll at geology.wisc.edu]
RV-8 N12AC was made its first flight in May 2005, after about 8.5 years of construction. The construction process was slow but steady, and mostly very enjoyable. My only complaint about RV's is that there is too much fiberglass! I flew it to Oshkosh unpainted, then I took it to Central Aviation in Watertown, Wisconsin for paint in mid August. So far it has 70+ hours, which includes a recent trip to the high country of Wyoming. It is powered by a carbureted Aerosport O360-A1A and Hartzell constant speed prop. It flew "hands off" from first flight, with no aileron or rudder corrections needed. So far the performance has been indistinguishable from Van's published numbers. The panel includes gyros, Apollo SL-30 navcom w/CDI, audio panel/marker beacon, Garmin GTX327 transponder, Digitrak, and Grand Rapids EIS4000. It took me about 50 hours to be able to make consistently smooth landings (about 50% of the landings before that were "less than perfect"), but otherwise this is a very easy airplane to fly. Now the hardest part is getting slowed down from cruise to flap speed, which requires more planning than the single-engine Pipers and Cessnas that I had previously flown.
--
Alan Carroll
Madison, Wisconsin

#33/2005: Dave FordThis RV6 N516D is a slow-build 4 1/2 year project with first flight Jan 20, 2004. Painted this year it now has flown 175 hours, has taken my 8 year old and I on camping trips, fly-ins, fly-outs to many breakfasts. Holds 2 folding bikes for day trips to our favorite places, is equipped with a baggage area opening for golf clubs. All electric panel, Odyssey battery, 7 amp backup battery w/ SD-8 alternator, an engine rebuild with FADEC made this O360 an IOF360A1A. Weighs in at 1063 lbs., am using AIM 1 engine monitor, Dynon D10A, Garmin GNC300XL gps/com, GTX327 xpdr, Navaid autopilot. Ipaq is using backup flynav-gps/EMON engine monitor for FADEC. Am currently installing SL30, GNC300XL annunciators, and CDI/OBS w/gs. Many thanks to our EAA chapter 678 for member resources, help, and encouragement.
Dave Ford
dford at michweb.net
  

#32/2005: Mark Richardson

C-GURV took 5.5 years and 1600 hours to build. It is a slow build kit, and has the following stuff:

- Lycosaur IO-360-A3B6D with a Catto three blade 66"x78" prop
- RMI uEncoder and uMonitor
- Dynon D-10
- FlightCom stereo intercom
- MicroAir Transponder and Com
- Garmin 196 GPS
- XM radio
- AOA Sport Angle of Attack Indicator (just installed it, not calibrated yet)
- Steam IAS, Altimeter and Compass
- Vans fuel gauges, tach, and MP

I'm a low time Cessna pilot but have no troubles at all flying the -8.
My landings left something to be desired for a while (having a grand total of 3 hours of tailwheel training before flynig the -8), but now are all pretty good. I would HIGHLY recommend proper RV transisiton training for anyone before flying their RV. I didn't, and although it turned out OK in the end, I really regret not doing the training with Mike, or Alex, or any of the others available.

The airplane is sweet to fly, light on the stick without being at all twitchy, and the view is spectacular. It really is like having your own fighter plane ;-) For those of you who finished before me, I now understand. For those of you still working on yours, trust me, it will ALL be worth it when you are done. Every last second.

--
Mark
VAF 185
RV-8 80965 C-GURV
http://rv8bldr.tripod.com
Flying since Nov 2004

#31/2005: Jerry Thorne

Construction began on October 28, 2002 with the first flight on June 9, 2005. The 40 flight test hours were completed on July 2, 2005. The airplane went into the paint shop on July 5 and came out on July 23rd. The next day I flew it to Oshkosh for Airventure 2005. Details of the trip to OSH and beyond begin on this web page.  I have also flown the airplane to New England, Texas over the Labor Day weekend, and to LOE5.

Total build time was 1999.5 hours in the log book on the day of the airworthiness inspection. When all the interior components were installed, the build time totaled 2,035.9 hours. A Garmin GPS 296 guides the way with the Garmin AT SL-30 to provide ILS capability. The Dynon D-10A helps keep the right side up. Stereo music on tape or CD is available for a non-pilot passenger. Empty weight is about 100 pounds more than Van's numbers at 1,184 pounds with paint and interior installed. The gross weight for N2PZ is 2,000 pounds with full fuel and TWO 250-pound folks in the seats and 100 pounds of baggage. V-speeds are posted on the panel for flying weights of 1,750 pounds and 2,000 pounds.

Power is a 160 HP carbureted ECI Titan O-320-D1A built by Penn Yan Aero Service using one Slick MAG and one Light Speed Plasma III solid-state ignition using the direct crank sensor. The Hartzell constant speed prop was ordered through Van's Aircraft. Top speed at 1000 feet MSL is 193 MPH at 2300 RPM and 28.5 inches of manifold pressure. I usually cruise from 10,500 to 12,500 MSL at 165/170 MPH at 5.5 to 6.0 gallons per hour. The tailwinds up there can be really good!

Jerry K. Thorne
RV-9A N2PZ

 #30/2005: Russ McCutcheon
Even though this -4 is old it is somewhat unique and is very special to me and some others as well.  I purchased this RV-4 in June this year. RV-4 NX18LM is serial #18, Built by my good friend Lee McDaniel. 18LM was the second customer built RV-4 to fly, Lee flew 18LM for the first time on Mothers Day 1983. With 22 years and almost 1500 hours of service this old -4 is holding up and performing very well. In 1989 Lee installed a 200+ HP IO-360 and an MT prop with Christen inverted oil, 18LM continues to fly in this configuration today. Some other special features are Titanium landing gear legs and lift spoilers. Climb at gross is 2100fpm, solo and full fuel is 2500+fpm. I have logged just about 100 hours in 18LM this summer and just made a trip from Vancouver WA to Sacramento CA to Lake Tahoe and back to Vancouver with an average ground speed of 201mph! I wont tell you the top straight and level speed at sea level because you wont believe me but I can tell you that Lee has enjoyed humiliating all the 320 and 360 powered Glasairs and Lancairs that where around this area back in the day. Lee and His Wife Jan have had 18LM to Mexico, the east coast and above the Arctic Circle. 18LM has been pretty quiet the past several years but now with it’s new enthusiastic owner you may see it out and about having fun.
Russ McCutcheon - russdemc at direcway.com

#29/2005: Bill Kolarik
Here is a picture of my RV-7A. It's first flight was 4/4/05 and it now has 67 hours on it. Performance and fun is every bit as Van's advertises.  The details: The engine is an Aerosport Power / Superior IO-360-B1B (180 HP with Airflow Performance Fuel Injection and a Plasma III) driving a Hartzell blended airfoil prop from Vans. The cowling is a James Aircraft "Holy Cowl" style -- with their integrated engine plenum underneath the cowl.  The avionics are an ACS2002 engine monitor, Garmin 300XL, GTX327, Trutrak 200VS, and PS Engineering Stereo intercom (with a music input jack for an MP3 or Discman). All electrical components are B&C.
 Hope to meet lots of RV guys at upcoming fly-ins!
Best Regards,
Bill Kolarik - bkolarik at netzero.com
Phoenix, AZ (KDVT)

#28/2005: Phil Chamberlain
N296PC 1st flight was July, 2004. It's powered by a Lycoming IO-320 160hp with an Airflow Performance Fuel injection system and a Hartzell Constant speed prop. The numbers are just a little better than Sir "Van" has published. I now have 109 trouble free hours on the A/C.
Thanks and Safe Flying,
Phil Chamberlain [rv6pilot at cox.net]
Lake Charles, LA.
N296PC

#27/2005: Darren Kerns [dkerns91 'at' hotmail.com]
  Here are pictures of my RV8. It was signed off July 7, 2005 and I currently have over 54 hours on it. It is truly a wonderful flying machine. Words cannot express how she flies and lands so easily. First I want to thank God for allowing my dreams to come true. Next, I want to thank my lovely wife, Traci, for allowing me to obtain my dream of having and owning an RV8. This would have never been possible without her patience and understanding (and I do mean patience!!). I also want to thank John Marshall for helping me finish my plane. This plane would have never been finished without his expertise and knowledge. Finally I would like to thank Jamie Matthews for the beautiful paint job. He is truly an artist at what he does. I could not be more pleased with the end result and the price. The friendships that have been made will last a lifetime. The guys from Indy get use to seeing my wife and I every weekend! We have many fly-ins and breakfasts to attend together. Just remember to slow the Super 8s down so I can keep up with my teeny weeny engine.
  My RV8 Tangelo (thank you Mr. Brad Snodgrass for giving her a nickname) has a 200 hp Lycoming from Aerosport. She sports a new Hartzell with a VisionMicroSystem with the electronic checklist and fuel level system. She has an Icom radio and a Becker Transponder with full gyros. She also has a Garmin 195 GPS built into the panel (thank you Mr. John Marshall for making that happen).
  Watch out dragons! You have some competition now!!
Darren Kerns
N214TK
Taswell, IN
Hangared in French Lick, IN

#26/2005: Troy Branch [brancht at tsesteel.com]
Well you can now change my almost finished in the white pages to flying. My RV9 Taildragger (90899) C-FTJE took to the air this morning 1 year and five months after the start of the slow build. The fairing are all that is left to complete. Jack Dueck was the test pilot and all system performed flawlessly. I could not have picked a better man for the job. He landed it like he had flown it for 500 hrs. The empty weight is 963# (no paint or fairings) with an O-320 H2AD and an 80" Sensenich. Takeoff was 600 ft and 1500ft/min at 130 MPH. Field elev is 3500ft. It flys hands off forever. I guess I must have drill that trailing edge spar in the right place!! Hope to report more during the flight testing. The next set of fun begins.

Airport is CEN4

Later,
Troy

#25/2005: David McManmon, Owner, Builder, Pilot– Syracuse, New York NYFlapjack2 at AOL.COM
My “Aluminum Mistress“, call sign Flapjack2, painted as my tribute to the NY ANG- Syracuse -174th TFW, to their specs. “I was patriotic well before September 11th”.

RV6 – S/N 24148, slow build kit, completion time was @1825 hours over a 4.5 year period.

First flight – November 7th 1999, test pilot was Alan McKeen – RV6 Builder/Owner.
Engine - 0-320 H2AD 160HP purchased from Wentworth AC (at @ 1700TT SMOH)
Prop – Sensenich Metal, 70CMS9-0-81 cruise prop.
Empty weight - 1055 lbs, 1800 Lbs Gross, Aerobatic Category Certified Airworthiness.
Performance - cruise @ 75% power 180 mph/ 156 knots
Equipment – All owner builder installed, Day - Night VFR, all 6 traditional flight instruments including vacuum pump, A.H. and D.G., Digital Tach, Fuel Tank Gages, MAP, EGT/CHT, AMP/VLT, Oil Press/Temp, G meter, Clock. & hidden Hobbs meter. Circuit Breaker switches control all, including acting as master switch to Avionics automotive style fuse block, and a master switch to the accessories automotive style fuse block, including electric flaps and elec elevator trim.
Panel – All Owner/builder installed, KLX135A Nav/Com/Moving Map GPS & coupled to NavAid Autopilot, KT76 transponder mode C, RAM mount Garmin GPS Pilot III, Flight Com 403 intercom, portable CD player. Pilot noise cancellation headsets.
Assistant builders - Lt. Col John Balbierer RV6

MANY THANKS to FlapJack1
Technical Assistance –Alan McKeen RV6, Ken Barto RV6A, and entire EAA Chapter 486 (www.eaachapter486.com) Read about annual RV Forum there at KFZY-Oswego Co. NY..
Paint – Martin Senior -Trio Prime inside, and their MSU Urethane primers and colors on exterior.
All artwork, like the stars & bars, the tail art COBRA & Syracuse stripe, the in-flight refueling guidance, the canopy instructions, all that tiny lettering was cut stencils and is painted on. The only Vinyl decals are the bullet hole strafes and the 6 - MK82 dumb bombs under the wings. I did it all myself, with the wings and tail painted in an old barn 1 year ahead of the fuselage. I took good notes and measurements. It is light gray bottom and dark gray upper aka current Mil spec, except glossy. I hand fogged the blends of dark over the light everywhere, off line and apart. Other than some crud and fossilized bugs in the paint, not bad from a dirt tool shed barn floor paint shop. Thus it was a gamble on how it’d all go together as the entire plane was never fully assembled until August 1999 at KFZY. I did well…or at least the public acceptance tells me so!

Additional things to ramble about & mention
-As of July 2005 about 200TT, was built with a Phlogiston Spar & Barnard Aircraft quick components. DJ Lauritsen interior with 5-point aerobatic harnesses. I am very proud of my dash design. It features 2 layers; the front is divided into 4 separate panel segments, held on a skeleton backer. With this you can service a “Quad” easily while seated in the plane, minimizing service of an instrument or while performing panel upgrades. It has both the Andair fuel selector and gascolator. The -H2AD installation was a mild challenge; I had to fabricate my own engine baffles from the standard Van’s kit. The forward mounted mechanical fuel pump always runs pressure and in cool so I doubt I have some of the low pressure and vapor locking issues some had. I had to custom fabricate Throttle & Mixture bracket, alternator bracket and the firewall oil cooler mount with flap door. The Vetterman 0320 exhaust and dual heat muffs fit and do fine. I had to add cowl bumps up front on top cowl for clearances and cam lock the top cowl on with a more forward smaller oil door (honestly I like that better than the large door and hinge segments). I have had the pleasure of hosting numerous times both Bill Benedict (RIP) and Mike Seager in NYC and to have them review my build at my home many years back. I did Flight train some with Mike Seager and Mike is now a regular at KFZY for the RV forums. With that our Sunday night wrap up meals downtown have become a ritual. MIKE, I will never forget that night at Cougar’s-Syracuse when we got flashed!!!

Regards David McManmon…still wearing the RV grin.

#24/2005: Pat Lee  PDLeeinFla at aol.com
"Almost three years to the day for this quick build kit. Superior XP-360 and fixed pitch Sensenich prop. First flight was on 5 July from Haller Air Park in Green Cove Springs Florida. I built a paint booth in the hanger and HVLP sprayed until I couldn't take it any longer. Painters, double the reducer and you'll get a good finish. The "Liberty Ship" flys hands off. What a blast! Pat Lee is an airline pilot and former Navy A-7 pilot and member of the Dreamland Squadron at the Haller Air Park. Come visit us at 7FL4."

#23/2005: Paul Boyce, Ph.D. [paulboyce at csg-i.com]
   This RV-7A was first flown in April 2004 and recently painted in June 2005. It has a Superior XP-IOF360 engine with FADEC, turning a Sensenich FP metal prop. I'm a low time pilot and the FADEC system really reduces my workload--and the side benefit is that my engine runs extremely efficiently all the time. The panel is all electric--a sort of poor man's glass panel. The Ipaq PDA on the left runs the GPS and the Ipaq PDA on the right is my engine monitor, using PCFlightSystems software. Autopilots by Trutrak, an oxygen system and an XM satellite radio make for a very comfortable X-country machine. Paint was by GLO Custom in Texas. I now have 175 hours on the plane and from day 1 has run flawlessly.
   Thanks go to my father, Gordon Boyce, for key assistance in the construction, Chuck Stark the EAA Tech Counselor for sound advice, Marv Manley for helping with the fiberglass work, Rory Hansen for being the test pilot and Chuck Armstrong for being a faithful assistant in the construction. I couldn't have done it without you guys!

Paul Boyce
subscription at csg-i.com
Sedona, AZ

#22/2005: John Siebold [johnlyn at icehouse.net]
"611S is a RV-7 slow build requiring 1200 hours airframe, 1000 hours firewall forward, panel, and systems, 300 hours fooling with fiberglass and sloshing on paint, all taking 3 1/2 years for a first-time effort.
It now has 116 hours and a million dead bugs to its credit, but the windshield has kept the RV Grin unsullied through many cross-countries.  Keep at those projects, builders; you'll have a wonderful flying machine.
  The IFR capability and panel is about as analog as one can get without having to wind up clock springs, yet there's no information or convenience I miss with an SL30 + MD80 and Garmin 196 coupled to a Navaid. Even has a marker beacon. Dual Light Speed ignitions, and electric gyros with standby alternator are easy to maintain, which is also why the Aero Sport Power O-360 has an overhaul-it-on-the-kitchen-table cheap carburetor. I also like comprehendible steam locomotives and appreciate gravity-like reliability and service history; to each his own. Compression was kept at 8.5:1 so I can use mogas. The Superior sump helps even out EGTs so I run LOP and get 7.5 gph behind a Hartzell blended airfoil prop. My wife can relate to 26 mpg on $2/gal (after road tax credit) gas.
  As much as I disdain the cluttered displays and button festooned EFISs, I like the idea of solid state "gyros". Maybe there'll be a Dynon board the next project. That's the joy of experimental aircraft: try something different; open new territory. Also, I thank those builders who take the time to deal with digital cameras and computers to post such informative web sites."



John Siebold

[John's userID in the VAFForums is 'RV7ator']

#21/2005: Pat Stewart - [pat.stewart'at'sbcglobal.net]
This is my second RV - the first was another RV-8. This RV-8A is powered by an ECI O-360 from Americas Engines in Tulsa. The panel is IFR complete with a Garmin 430 with CDI/Glideslope, King KLX135A, Garmin 327, Intercom, Trio EZ-Pilot autopilot, ECI Engine instruments, Dynon EFIS, Seats are fantastic and are from Classic Areo, Hooker Harness and Paint by Grady at Northwest Regional. I saw an airplane in Oregon with a similar paint job that I liked and made a few modifications. Total build time for this quick build was one year. Special thanks go to Jay Pratt and Rich Rudolf who were always there to lend a hand. The first flight was done by Jay with Rich and I flying chase.

#20/2005:   Joe Hart  [joehart 'at' drs.com]
[Here is my] my just completed RV8. It's a pretty much stock RV with a fixed pitch Sensenich prop and an 0-360 engine. It is equipped with dual Lightspeed electronic ignition and a Grand Rapids EIS system. It flies well, matching Van's advertised performance specifications. After a 30 year Navy career in the Light Attack/Strike Fighter community (A-4s, A-7s, and F/A-18s) I was anxious to keep flying - and since single seat was my background I chose the RV8. I liked the visibility of the bubble canopy and the ability to look out of both sides of the cockpit that the RV8 offers.
Joe Hart - [joehart 'at' drs.com]
DRS Technologies
   [related: RV-8/8A Forum]

#19/2005:   Jon Weiswasser  jonweisw 'at' rcn.com

   It is an RV-8, which first flew on July 23, 2004 after 2100h of construction of the standard kit over 2y and 9m. Performance of this 1100lb craft is as published. It has an IO-360M1B with a Whirlwind 200RV propeller and uses dual Lightspeed ignitions. In front of the Oregon Aero interior is an all electric instrument panel consisting of a Dynon D-10, CNX-80, MX-20, SL-40, GTX-330, WSI, PS engineering audio panel with XM radio, EIS, JPI floscan, and TruTrak Digiflight 200. The small peanut gyro backup is out of a T-34 which I picked up at OSH in the fly-market and had altered by Airwich to accept 28V with the addition of a converter to my 14V system. The panel was constructed by David Buchwalter at Avionics Systems in Leesburg, VA. It has Sikkens paint, which was applied to perfection by Hagerstown Air Services by David Churchey. I also installed a tail-cam from Helmetcam at the top of the vertical stab.
   Many, many, thanks to RV builders Mike Witte, Craig Moen, Carl Froehlich, and Curtis Hinkley. Adoration to my wife for tolerating this activity, and most of all to Van's for such an incredible kit.
Jon Weiswasser
Washington, DC
   [related: RV-8/8A Forum]

#18/2005: Glenn Wilkinson
After sixteen years and three owners, RV-4 SN# 1898, N654RV took its first flight Oct 5, 2003. It has a new Lycoming O-320-D1A, 160 HP, fitted with an Ellison TBI and turning a Catto three blade fixed pitch prop. It is also set-up with inverted oil and fuel and day/night VFR. The paint scheme was inspired by the P-51D known as "Slender, Tender and Tall", so I call my -4 "Slender, Tender and small". I now have 81 -hrs of RV fun and lovin' every minute. My plane was completed by Kaolin Aviation and is based @ OKZ. Ray did a fine job...many thanks...let him help you with your project! (Kaolin Aviation 478-552-9136)

Glenn Wilkinson
N654RV @ OKZ [gpww at alltel.net]
[related: RV-4 Forum]

#17/2005: Henrique Castro
This is PP-XRV. Based in city of Belo Horizonte, about 200nm from Sao Paulo – Brazil. I started my RV9A from a standard kit in 2001 and took 4 years building ultil actual stage. The engine is a Continental IO240(125HP) with a sensenich propeller. I was necessary a custom engine mount and cowl to fit this engine, but i believe it worthed the extra time. Now i had about 45 hours on it and planning change the prop to incriase cruising performance. The good point of this engine is that fuel consuption is only about 4,8gl/hour !. Well that´s it guys, soon i will have a website showing some pics of the cosntruction as well as pics and videos of flight around beautiful areas of Brazil...
Henrique Castro 90197
Email: Henriquerv9 'at' hotmail.com
[related: RV-9/9A Forum]

#16/2005: Dave Grosch
I started flying my RV6A in July of 2003 after building for 3 1/2 years and have just turned 100 hours on the tack. I have been flying it without paint and just got it back from the paint shop this month. It is beautiful. I'm glad I waited for paint because now I feel like I have a 'new' airplane again. A plug for the paint shop, Sturgis Aviation in Sturgis, MI. Many pilots have gone over the paint job with a fine toothcomb and we have yet to find any flaws. The plane is IFR ready and equipped with an O-360 engine with a Constant Speed Prop, and has a Navaid autopilot, and the Vision Microsystem Engine Management System. Now I am ready to fly my beautiful airplane to Oshkosh this year to encourage potential builders who are sitting on the fence. Keep pounding those rivets.
Dave Grosch
Dalton Airport (3DA)
Flushing, MI.
dbgrosch 'at' sbcglobal.net

[related: RV-6/6A Forum]

#15/2005: Rich Crosley
Crosley, Rich [RCROSLEY 'at' HRTEXTRON.TEXTRON.COM]
N948RC first flew 4/17/2005. Started the "long" kit in 1999. Running a stock O-360 with Lazar Ignition and a Catto prop. The aircraft is based at Rosamond (L00) outside of Edwards Airforce Base. All the help came from my three boys, Ken, Scott and Greg, Mark Neufeld (building Harmon Rocket), but mostly my wife, Elaine, for giving up the garage and bucking rivets. She does have a list of all the places she wants to go as soon as the flight test period is over. They all seem to have grandchildren or nice resorts close by. Great ride

#14/2005: Jon Hubbell
This is my RV-6. It is based at MtComfort airport on the east side of Indianapolis. It was completed 12-17-03 after 4 years of building. This was a quickbuild kit. Empty weight is 1077 w paint and interior . Pulling me along is a o-320 lycoming 160hp and a Bernie Warnke toothpick prop. Custom paint is by Jamie Mathews. Custom Leather seats by Randy Keeker aircraft interiors. I had lots of help along the way. So a very special thanks go out to my wife Lori. Larry Flagg, John Marshall, Boyd Birchler , And many others. Awards include Best Workmanship Sun n Fun 2004, & Outstanding Workmanship Oshkosh 2004.

Jon Hubbell 60357 N700JL 
n700jl 'at' msn.com

#13/2005: Mike  & Mary Reddick
On Saturday, March 19, 2005, we flew N167CW to Georgetown, Tx, for a homecoming of sorts. The day marked 250 flight hours since purchasing our RV-6A from the estate of the builder, Hal Smith.

When I picked up the keys from the family’s agent he made a short remark that has stuck with me to this date. He said “you realize that you’re now the test pilot”. There were a few bugs to be worked out since the builder died before getting everything working how it should.

Thanks to the RV community, Rich Rudolph, Jay Pratt, & Bill Akin in particular, I now have a much finer RV than the day I flew it home in September of 2003. We have lived through a catastrophic engine failure only 7 flight hours after buying the plane and two major oil leaks that forced us to make emergency landings. Now, after going through a major conversion to a Hartzell prop, getting the autopilot fine tuned and wired properly (thanks Rich!), and adding a few personal touches, we have an RV that we can really enjoy on our trips to see family in Colorado, Michigan, Georgia, & Florida.

Can’t wait to get in the air and see all those folks!

Thanks Van for creating such fine airplanes and thanks to Doug, for creating a common area that we can all come together and share our experiences with the stroke of a few keys and clicks of the mouse!

Mike & Mary Reddick - michaelreddick 'at' yahoo.com
Fort Worth, TX (T67)

#12/2005: John Chandler
   Dear Doug and fellow builders, go buck some rivets. This thing is a ball to fly and a pussycat to land. RV7A N5SP {Vagabond II} flew for the first time Jan 24 this year. In two months time I've flown off my time {40hr} and now Vagabond has 67hrs on the Hobbs. The power is a IO-360-A1A 200hp with a CS prop, full IFR panel, Tru-Trak A/P, and Abby's interior by Finish Line Interiors. Abby does a beautiful job and a dear to work with. Vagabond came in a little heavy, 1141lbs, but the performance is close to Van's specks.
Top speed at 8,000ft is 210mph by the 4 way GPS test, not 213mph as per Van, but what's 3mph. If I could lose about 40lbs, as per my Cardiologist, and I might pick up that 3mph. Cold day in hell.
   With a full panel of gyro's, I've had the courage to do one aileron roll and the gyro's survived. There must be some good way to turn off the vacuum and not have to worry about trashing them. Any ides?
   See everyone at Sun-Fun.
John Chandler {Vagabond II} at Leeward Air Ranch Ocala, Fl.
[n445sp at comcast.net]

#11/2005: N819VK

   I completed it in July '04. A few of the specs - Sam James cowling, wing root fairings, and wheel pants, brand new Lycoming O-360-A1A, Hartzell constant speed, Classic Aero Design intertior, Acry Glo paint in Matterhorn white by Sherwin Williams, stripe by Freedom Sign, Dynon D-10, Garmin 430, Garmin 327 transponder, ACS engine monitor, DigiTrak autopilot, Aerox oxygen system, panel mount Bose headsets, Sony computer with PC Avionics MountainScope software mounted with mount by AirGator. I purchased the kit partially completed from another builder and completed it with some very professional help from Mike Million, a accomplished RV builder. Painted by Mike Weber in Dodge City, KS. 150 hours later the fun is just beginning!

Thanks,
Vince Koehn [vkoehn at ucom.net]
Montezuma, KS
N819VK

#10/2005:  Vance Noles

#9/2005: Bob/Jeanine Axsom
   I picked up the plane from Gray's Aircraft Refinishers this afternoon. I literally spent years developing this color scheme. I believe it came out quite well. The paint is imron with clear coat. It is a quick built kit that I spent 4098.8 logged and photo documented hours building. Hopefully, it will receive an honorable mention in it's show year but regardless there is a lot of pride in this house tonight.
   I should add that Don Gray did the actual painting and his "Gray's Aircraft Refinishing" is located in the large hangar at the east end of the Franklin County Airport in Ozark, Arkansas. The price is almost exactly 1/2 the quote I got before leaving California.

Bob & Jeanine Axsom
RV-6A N710BJ
jeanine axsom [jeaninebob at cox.net]

   I scanned in this photo taken just after we received our preview plans set on May 9, 1996.
It has been a long grinding trip to get to the beautiful looking plane we have today.

#8/2005
Robert Stack
Thought you might like to know who has the new RV8 making all of the scary landings at 52f. I bought the aircraft from a gentleman in Phoenix. I have done a pretty extensive examination to get to "know" it before I took to the air - what a difference from my old Bonanza. I never thought that I would be happy with any other airplane. Boy, was I wrong!
I'm in a steady state of "grin"!
  Robert M. Stack
  Bedford, Texas
  (817) 891-2304

#7/2005
Clark Friedgen [clarkfriedgen at sbcglobal.net]
   I took ownership of this RV6A in September of last year, and I have never stopped doing upgrades to it since. The plane was flying well when I bought it, including a nice VFR panel with a vacuum system and a simple Val radio. It runs an 0320 E2D, which climbs and cruises excellent! After doing my insurance mandated flight instruction in it, I have since put in about 25 hours flight time. It's so fun! The workmanship of the builder is above average according to some of the RV guys at EAA local chapter 14 in San Diego.
   I have since added a quick drain oil plug, as well as completing the carburetor heat system. I also later added more goodies to the panel including a Garmin 295 GPS and an ECC intercom. The big job was painting the plane (the builder flew with only the fiberglass parts painted), which was two months of hard but satisfying work. I felt more connected to my plane by painting N4361V myself (in the homebuilder's spirit). I used the non toxic AFS paint system and it came out great. Now I'm just waiting for better weather to go bore holes in the sky with my friends.
Clark Friedgen cell phone 619-920-4830

#6/2005
N51PW is nekkid no more! After first aviating on January 31, 2004 at the capable hands of test pilot/CFI Mike Kellems, and adding about 150 hours into her logbook, including trips to S&F and OSH, she now is properly attired.  Credentials include E3D 150 hp Lycoming, Craig Catto prop, Microair radios, rather unconventional panel including EFIS/PFD via Dell PDAs & PCFlightSystems AHARS (had enough?), DJ leather seats and a whole bunch of really wierd stuff you'll just have to check out for yourself from the deepest, darkest and dankest recesses of The PossumWorks in TN! I'd really like to thank all the folks on the RV-list, Aeroelectric List, my Dad, and fellow members of EAA Chapter 1321 in Lewisburg TN, especially John DeYager for all his best buckin' in the world, and tech advisor C.C."Ace" Cannon for his limitless assistance and perspective. Also, all you ultra-commited internet aces such as Sam Buchanan, Doug Reeves, and Dan Checkaway, just to name a few! Sure woulda been a major B#$%H without y'all!

Oh yeah- the Dutchman from Oregon gets his credit too- yoo da man, Van! Time to start makin' the rounds...

Mark Phillips - Columbia, TN
fiveonepw 'at' aol.com

Week 5 of 2005
N99PZ on one of her many adventures since first flight on Feb. 8, 2000. The setting is after fueling at Hinton OK on the 25th of December, 2003. The runway was windswept snow and ice and my wife, for the first time ever, was worried about my ability to get us airborne on the ice covered runway. I said jokingly, OK, I'll come back in Dad's truck as soon as I get to Nacogdoches and pick you up. I thought she was joking!  She told me later about the not joking part. She still flies with me and we have landed on many snow covered runways since but now do a low pass to access the condition of the runway before landing.
Gary Zilik - [zilik at direcpc.com]

Week 4 of 2005
Harris, JW John [winn.harris at L-3com.com]
Based at 52F

Week 3 of 2005
Jim/Sharon Murray
...photo and text by Gary Palinkas [gary at skyviewphotography.com]
"Just a few quick notes about the picture I sent you of Jim and Sharon Murray's RV-9a:
   N897JS is based in Venice, Fl (KVNC) and Jim and Sharon live in Bradenton, Fl. They have 104 hrs on the airplane as of today and the aircraft has been in Maine where they spend their summers. Jim and Sharon pounded every single rivet themselves, no QB for them thank you, and they really enjoyed the building process. The aircraft has been equipped for full IFR and some of the goodies are: Garmin 530, DigiTrak Autopilot and a host of other avionics, including traffic avoidance transponder equipment. Jim painted the plane himself using Sherwin-Williams Sunfire and is happy how it came out. From start to finish it took about 2 1/2 years with a summer or two off. N897JS has a 160 hp Lycoming swinging a Hartzell prop and it cruises comfortably at about 160 mph with a top end of 180 mph.
   Jim says "keep pounding them rivets, it well worth it", as they enjoy traveling in their new RV-9a."
Thanks,
Gary
Gary Palinkas
Skyview Photography
Venice, Florida
941.416.3695
www.skyviewphotography.com

Week 2 of 2005
Roger Hirschbein [woodmanr at bellsouth.net]
I thought that since I am at this I should send in a photo of the week of the plane Myra and I bought a few months ago. We purchased this plane as an interim plane till we get our RV9A built. This plane was finished in 2004 by Marvin Alvarez. He unfortunately lost his medical and he and his partner had to sell. I took possession the day after hurricane Charlie passed over Florida. If the storm had hit Tampa as predicted, it surely would have been destroyed.  I got lucky. I am going to do some mods like I did on the last plane and will write an article for you.  Presently this plane has a 160HP engine and Sensenich wood prop combo. It is full IFR certified. We generally fly at about 2350-2400 rpm and get an honest 7 gallons an hour at about 140 knots gps ground speed. Great paint job, don't you think?
Roger Hirschbein "Woodman"

Week 1 of 2005
Ross Farnham [sds7778 at telus.net]
Here is a photo of our RV6A. Power is from a turbocharged, intercooled, injected, Subaru EJ22. Prop is an IVO magnum 3 blade. Redrive is a Marcotte 2.2 to 1. Empty weight 1136lbs. with interior, soundproofing, heavy VFR panel, R&D electronics, ELT etc. Gross 1750. First flew in Nov. 2003, now has 75 flight hours. Max speed 181 knots so far at 17,000 feet, cruise 160-170 knots at 8-12,000 feet on 9.7 gal./hr.
Ross Farnham
Racetech Inc.

#52 of 2004
...sent in by Roger Hirschbein [woodmanr at bellsouth.net]
   I thought I would give you a couple of entries of my friend's planes cause they are too modest to write for themselves. Following is N241RB.
   Rich and Patti Jankowski built this Sun and Fun winner from a scratch built. To date it has won numerous awards including best homebuilt at Sun &Fun, Best homebuilt at SERFI and winner of the Sun 100 air race in 2004. Rich is always chasing more speed in this beauty. The last I heard, it was clocking out at a top speed of 230 plus mph in level flight. It just goes to show what Van's aircraft can do when all of the little details are taken care of.

#145
Bill Freckman  N269BF RV-6A
It's my second homebuilt (the first was a scratch-built Acro Sport II).  Slow build variety (I bought the empennage and wing kit from the widow of Paul Hookey. Paul had only started the empennage). 6-1/2 yrs start to finish as; 1) I had a good plane to fly and and 2) Money 3) I really like to build.
Engine - Penn Yan built ECI/Lycoming 0-360 A-1-A (180 hp) with Lightspeed Plasma II Ignition. Sky-Tec starter, Mark Landoll Harmonic Dampener
Prop - Wooden, Performance Propeller by Clark Lydick of Patagonia, AZ
Instruments - VFR (I'm a fair weather pilot). I like the lightweight options of Becker compact Transceiver and Microair Transponder (both weigh less than a pound and take up only a 2-1/4" dia hole space.
First Flight - December 3, 2003 with Jay Pratt flying chase
Paint - Nova Yellow and Viper Metallic Blue trim applied by GLO at NW Regional
Bill Freckman - [bfreckman at comcast.net]
Euless, TX

#144
   The RV I would like to show you is a RV-6A. The owner is Kieth Newcomer, but my father and I fly it because he lives in Costa Rica and the plane is in Covington, GA. We have a three blade Catto Propeller on it right now.  The plane is based at Covington Municipal Airport (9A1) in Georgia. The plane’s N number is 13KN. The plane was bought almost half way done so my father, my uncle, and I built it the rest of the way. We finally finished the plane in October of 2002. The in flight picture is 13KN flying with me in another RV6A with an N number of 678DS with a partner Dick Siders at the controls.
  P.S. you can email me at ryannewcomer4 at hotmail.com. If you would like to know, I am 14 years old and have over 25 hours logged in the plane and it has only 250 hours TT engine and airframe.
Ryan Newcomer

#143
David Schaefer [dschaefer1 at kc.rr.com]
RV-6A N142DS A.K.A. “Geek One” made its first flight on October 4, 2004. It has a Mattituck IOF-360 (FADEC) engine with a Hartzell Blended Airfoil CS prop and a Sam James plenum. The panel is equipped for IFR with three Grand Rapids EFIS I’s, Garmin 430’s / 330, Tru-Trak and Avidyne on-board weather. The aircraft has two complete electrical systems to power the all-electric panel, hence the moniker from my pilot friends; “GEEK ONE”. Credit goes to my wife Dottie for allowing me to ‘live’ with the airplane for two years and to Bob and Jackie Lynch, for without their mentoring, training and friendship it would never have flown. The aircraft is a joy to fly and smooth as silk.

#142: Jerry Driskill [JDriskill at ks-usa.net]
   Blue Sreak AKA N456JD is rv-8 KIT #80485. It was originally purchased and construction started by Moe Colintinio. I bought it from him in January of 2002. It was finished and inspected on 6 November 2004 1st flight happened shortly thereafter as several EAA'ers showed up to get the panels on and ready for flight. The 1st flight was uneventful except for engine baffling rubber fluttering and mildly left wing heavy. Both problems have since been eliminated. The engine is an ECI Titan 0-360-A!A with Hartzell CSP. The gas gage is the only steam gage in the cockpit. everything else is digital. Dynon EFS, Grand Rapids EIS, Electro-air electronic ignition right side with automotive sparkplugs on top. Digi-trak autoilot coupled to an AvMap IIIC GPS. Micro-Air 720 radio with intercom. rear throttle and pedals, tinted canopy and Becky Orndorff interior. My thanks go out to some special people who helped on this project. Mike Logback, Greg Davis, and especially my bride of some 20 years Marian.
   Builders Profile. A&P Mechanic, Retired U.S. Air Force-Master Sergeant, Retired cropduster, retired Airline Mechanic, and still working. Currently looking for the right deal for my next project.

#141
Thomas Moore [thomasmoore at charter.net]
I am now flying my RV-7A with a Eggenfellner Subaru H6 engine. The first flight was on Sep 14th 2004 out of Brookings, OR. I now have 50 hrs on it and both the aircraft and the engine are running perfect. The airplane will cruise at about 165kts at 8000', but I ussally use economy cruise with the prop at 1700 rpm burning 5 to 6 gph at 140kts. I have attached a couple of pictures for you. I hope you enjoy them.
Tom Moore.

#140
Nick Knobil
   First flight was on January 14th, 2003, on a cold cold (-22C) morning in Wiscasset, Maine. Needless to say, the performance kept my blood flowing (and that's putting it mildly).
   'The Peril' features a straight 0-360-A1A from Bart Lalonde at Aero Sport Power, dual Lightspeed ingitions driven by crank-angle sensors, a Whirlwind 200C composite constant speed prop, and an Ellison Throttle Body. Electrical design courtesy of Bob Nuckolls and the AeroElectric Connection. Nifty digital goodies from Rocky Mountain Instruments. Seats from Oregon Aero, and the fun paint job by Prestige Aircraft up in Swanton, VT (Thanks Dick!).
   Do I like it? OH YEAH....250 tach hours and counting as fast and as often as I can get away with it.
Nick Knobil
Bowdoinham, Maine
nknobil at gwi.net

#139
Gene Kasson
I purchased my RV-6 in May,2004 from the A&P builder in Lago Vista, TX. It has an O-320-E3D, Catto composite 74" pitch prop, dual Lightspeed electronic ignition, electric flaps/aileron/elevator trim, and full Cleveland Tool interior with insulated side panels. The plane came with the old style aluminum gear fairings, which were replaced with late style fiberglass fairings (thanks to Jay Pratt at RV Central!).  New landing gear, fairings, upper & lower cuffs installed by RV craftsman Jim Frazee. The entire plane was recently painted by Gillis Aircraft Painting, Tuttle, OK., and turned out beautiful! Colors are JetGlo Matterhorn White, AcryGlo Light Burgundy metallic, and AcryGlo Cloud Grey metallic with clear coat. I went from a 90 mph '49 Luscombe 8F to a 200 mph RV-6, and I'm havin' a BALL!!!
GKasson at aol.com

#138
Here's my new RV-6.5. I call it that because it has a lot of RV-7 parts on it. She has a Lycoming IO-360-M1B bored .010 over ported/polished cylinders, tuned induction, tuned exhaust, Hartzell constant speed prop, full gyro panel, full interior, day/night VFR, CD player, Electric aileron/elevator trim, and even a tail wheel fairing that is full swivel. She came in at 1099lbs, a little heavier than I wanted, however, with all the goodies it's light. Haven't made the first flight yet, still waiting on the inspection. Will let you know she flies soon. Thanks, Aden. [agrich2 at hotmail.com]

#137
N556KR took to the skies on August 6, 2004.  I got some dual time with Sam Benjamin (13,000 hr,RV-9A pilot) the week prior in preparation for the first test flight. The dual time was definitely worthwhile because I knew exactly what to expect from the plane. The only squawk from the first was a slight oil leak from the oil cooler fitting. An additional turn of the fitting fixed that. The plane is a pleasure to fly. The level of control sensitivity and harmony is perfect. The performance is amazing. All my pilot buddies marvel at the climb rate after lifting off from our 7171' elevation airport here in northern New Mexico. Since the first flight, I've been flying the pants off of this thing. As of 10/9, N556KR has 71.9 hours. My wife Kris (the "K" in N556KR, she drove about 3000 of the rivets in this plane) and I have taken four cross country flights already, the latest being Copperstate Regional Fly-In. 
   My son told me that the world has shrunk. So true. Eleven hour drives have now become two and a half hour flights. A much better way to go!  Particulars: Aero Sport Power IO-320-D1A, C/S Hartzell prop , AFP injection, LSE ignition, night VFR, 160 kt cruise.
Robert Whitaker [rmwhitaker at lanl.gov]

#136
Kelly Dunn. 
N2278D (25471) flew after 6 years of slow build. The build was a joint effort with my son. We also built RLA LL54 (RV'rs welcome) during the construction period which added year to the RV completion date.

The old man got the first flight. All went as advertised. Upon landing from the second hop, One word described it all. When asked by his mother,"How was it"?, he just keep repeating "Unbelievable". We both agree, this is the best aircraft we have ever flown.

N2278D is powered by Lyc O-360 with high compression pistons turning a Hartzell constant speed prop with Airflow Performance fuel injection and Lightspeed Electronic Ignition. Performance is awsome.

Thanks to the EAA, Vans, and (checked daily) Vansairforce.net.

Kelly Dunn [n2278g at earthlink.net]

#135
N543ST took its first flight May 10, 2003. My expectations were all that and more. The RV-6A is equipped with a Lycoming 0-360-A1A and a Hartzell CS prop. The panel is equipped for IFR and has a trutrak autopilot. It took approximately 5 years to complete. The plane was painted by Flying Kolors in Riverside, CA. In July 2003, My wife and I flew to Oshkosh by way of North Carolina to visit Kill Devil Hills as a remembrance to the Wright Bros First Flight. Unfortunately, weather did not permit us to get there, so we flew to Long Island, New York to visit family. Our arriving in Oshkosh, WI for the Air Adventure 2003 “100th Year of Flight” was the highlight of our trip before returning home. To date we have 275 hours logged. Thanks to Van’s Aircraft for making our flying dream come true.
Todd Ehlinger -  [rvflight at adelphia.net]
Chino, CA

#134
RV-4 N259JB SN-620 It's First flight on May 25 2003. 13 years on and off building. Standard old kit. It has a Lyc. 0320-D2J 160Hp with a Sensenich 70CM7S9-0-81 Prop. Empty weight 987lbs.Currently have 123 hrs on a/c. It performs as per Van's specs or better. Painted by Blue Sky Aviation Loris SC. Always a smile on my face.
Regards
Jim Bendel
Sumter, SC
Jbendel at sc.rr.com

#133
RV7 731RV took its first flight on June 17th with Tom Irlbeck conducting the test flight. It has an Aerosport O-360-A1A and a Hartzell prop. It is equipped for IFR and also has a Trutrak autopilot. It weighs in at 1105#. This plane is really fast and is a lot of fun to fly. The paint job was done by Paul Irlbeck and came out great. Special thanks to Paul for all of his help on the project. I'd also like to thank the many members of the Twin Cities RV builders group for answering many of my questions. I really wrestled with the question of whether or not to build a taildragger. My first lesson in a taildragger was in April of this year. I also took transition training from Alex Dedominicis (Thanks Alex!) and felt very comfortable for the first flight. I'm looking forward to a couple of long trips in the Spring.
John Jordan
Eden Prairie, MN
RV7driver at yahoo.com

#132
N926MM
  
RV-8 N926MM is named the MaddiWagon after my daughter Madison. It has an IO-360-B1E and a Hartzell prop. It weighs 1087# and is VFR Day/Night with a u-encoder, EIS 4000, GPS196, TC, analog airspeed and altimeter. To keep it light I used an Odyssey battery mounted in the forward baggage well, and Grove non-aerodynamic landing gear. It performs as advertised and is a hoot to fly.
   First flight was May 2003 and I currently have 190 hours on it.
   The paint job was done by Danny Hatch and is unique in that, only when the sun shines on it the right way can you see the checkerboard patterns.
Ed Perry
San Diego, CA
edperry64 at yahoo.com

#131
Robbie Attaway [robbie at attawayair.com]

I just flew my new RV6 on 7-31-04 and got a few pictures. I started this aircraft Oct. 2002 and first flight was July 31,2004. The first flight was uneventful and I have has no squaks except high oil temp which I am slowly getting under control. The aircraft was a pleasure to fly with the new ECI IO 360 kit engine. It was the 4th ECI that I have assembled and performs as I expected. This is the second RV I have built and am now planning an RV10 with the new ECI IO 540 kit engine. Scratch that, I can't say anything about the ECI 540 engine yet. Robbie Attaway
FMI: www.AttawayAir.com

#130: Bill Neff.  RV-6 N220CB

Bill bases his RV-6 at NW Regional near me (52F) and very recently started flying his RV-6.  It is a standard kit with RMI microEncoder and microMonitor and Navaid autopilot.

#130: Roberta Hegy (and Richard)
   Oliver III, our new RV-7A, on it's first EAA Airventure visit. Rich and I were volunteers at the aircraft registration building near Aeroshell Square, so we were able to be near the plane to show it off. Got to meet many of our RV internet friends, many new RV owners at the show, and some of our SeaRey friends. The show was Great and there were many RV's in attendance. My guess is at least 400 RV's were there. We flew in on Saturday and flew back home on Friday after the airshow. We plan on being at the Van's Banquet on Saturday and the awards ceremony on Sunday.
   So far we have about 60 squawk free hrs. on our 7A and the performance has been better that Van's posted numbers. We are very happy with the Lycoming 0-360 A1A and the Hartzell Blended Airfoil C/S prop (74"). 2400 rpm at 8000 msl is giving us an honest 204 mph cruise and our climb performance is exceeding 1800 fpm at over 110 mph. Cross wind landings are easy and uneventful and high density altitudes are no problem. Leadville, CO was a blast. Can't say enough nice things about Van's Aircraft. They are Great!
Roberta Hegy

#129: Clayton Beggs [seytourism at yahoo.co.uk]
First RV 6 INDONESIA
   Here are a few shots of the RV I built in Indonesia , unfortunately I had to sell it at a loss due to corruption in the country..   The engine is a o360 a3a with a christen inverted oil and Airflow injection system.. a lot of mods ..
Mike Beggs

128: Jørn Møller [rv8pilot at tdcadsl.dk]
This is my RV 8 ser.no 81624 slow build reg OY-RVS under flight trial for 50 hours, flies just great, VFR-day O-360 sensenich metal prop.  Construction time 26 months, paperwork 6 months but the smile is hard to wipe off.  Picture by E.Frikke taken at Stauning airport
Sincerly
Jorn Moller
Denmark

#127: Steve Adams [s_adams1 at cox.net]
Well there's another RV in the skies over So. California. N84SA took to the skies on Aug 7th 2003. Everything went fine on first flight, Oil temps were well behaved, the performance was scintillating to say the least. I'm using the O-360 carbureted with the Hartzell blended airfoil constant speed. Empty weight came in at 1093 lbs. Day/night VFR panel. Normal cruise is indicating 175 Kts. at 21"map and 2300 RPM at 5500'. burning around 8.3 GPH. Our plane has a little over 78 hours on it since new. Building time was around 2/12 years. I lost count after a while. Credit goes to my wife Katie for allowing me to stay long hours at the airport struggling to finish the plane. She's a real trooper to put up with this crazy avocation. Hopefully by the time you get this posted I'll be in Arlington and or Oshkosh for the fly-in
Thanks: Steve D. Adams

#126: Mike Talovich's RV-8 Now Flying
[ed. Kenneth sent (2) pictures that were so good I couldn't decide on just one...so I put them both up. DR]
   I am sending you this info for my brother who does not have computer access at the moment.
His RV8 (N532M) took approx 5 years to construct and is based in Farmington, New Mexico. Last year I flew my 6 out from Turlock , California in late September to give him a good check out and the 8 was first flown in October, 2003
   He flew off his 25 hours and then took it to the paint shop. It came out of the paint booth 3 weeks ago.
   I took the attached photos during a photo mission last Sunday just west of Shiprock New Mexico.
   We plan on seeing you guys at Las Cruces later this year.
Current Stats
RV-8
30 hrs on the tach
O-320
Hartzell C/S
VFR night panel
Cool paint job
Lots of fun
Thanks,
KT - Kenneth_Talovich at fpl.com

#125: Tobias Dagöö [t.dagoo at bredband.net]
My -4 flew for the first time in 1990 being the second completed here in Sweden. I bought it in September -02 from the builder. No major problems so far.. Impressive utility in this little plane! Powered by a o-320 swinging a standard wood prop. This winter the plane was stripped and repainted and a Dynon D-10 was installed, also the second one flying in Sweden to my knowledge! Working just great so far.. I really love the plane. And this spring one of my best friends bought a -4 to, looking forward to some formation flying this summer!
Regards,
Tobias Dagoo, SE-XIO Stockholm, Sweden

#124: Steve Campbell
When I started my slow-build RV-6 in the Fall of '97, I had hoped to complete it in time to participate in the 2003 Centennial of Flight celebrations, but unfortunately, it didn't quite work out that way. However, after 2620 man-hours, I did fly the plane in 2003, albeit at the 11th hour. On December 30th, N601SC flew for the first time just a few short hours after receiving its airworthiness certificate. I elected to fly off my test period before having the plane painted (white, metallic navy, and metallic copper). Power is from an  O320-D2A with a Unison Lasar Ignition system and a Sensenich prop. The panel is basic VFR with a Grand Rapids engine monitor; there's no vacuum system or VOR. However, I did leave ample room for the Dynon. Empty weight (before paint) was 992 lbs. It flies just great!

Now that the plane is "done" it's time to move onto other things - like marriage. In fact, my lovely wife-to-be suggested we have a fly-out wedding reception (no, really - it was her idea). If you are in the Dayton, Ohio area the evening of Saturday June 26, please drop into Waco Field (1WF) (Home of the Waco Historical Society). We ordered an extra large cake and would love to share it with the RV community. Just show up and we'll serve you right up.

Steve Campbell
Dayton Ohio
N601SC at earthlink.net

#123

Steven Scriven [sscriven at us.ibm.com]
"My RV9A slow build took it's first flight on April 28th 2004 after 3 years and 3 months of construction. It is powered by a Bob Barrrow's built 160-HP O-320 turning a constant speed prop. It is equipped with a Dynon EFIS and Trutrack's DigI-Trak and Alt-Trak, all avionics work perfectly. The plane is true joy to fly and now has 50+ hours."

#122: Nathan Larson
   Attached is a photo of RV9E N217JT. It was featured as a "builder of the week: some time ago. Declared airworthy and 1st flight 19 November, 2003 after exactly two years of slow build building. Currently has 140+ hours. Powered by an Eggenfellner Subaru with a Quinti Prop. Full UPS panel with MX-20, GX-60, SL 30. A Sandel 3308 EHSI, Dynon D-10 and STEC 30 autopilot. Fresh from the paint shop she weighs in at 1116 lbs.
   We've visited friends in Arizona, and rock stars in Cleveland, with trips planned to Florida, Oshkosh, and California scheduled for later this year. From here in the middle of the U.S. any of the 48 states is less than 8 hours flying time, what a time machine.
Nathan Larson
N217JT RV9E rvatornate at hotmail.com

#121: Martin Hone
   I would like to announce that RV6 VH-ZMH has enjoyed its first flight after almost 8 years of stop-start building. As the second owner of QB Kit no. 60015, I was able to complete it in two and a half years, making it 10 years to the day that I finished my first home-built aircraft. Even more amazing is that "Harvey" the RV flew hands-off from day one. Maybe all those little errors balanced out. Other than fitting nav lights, I kept it a simple VFR project, and it rewarded me with a weight of 1023 lbs incl. paint and fairings.
   Engine is a Vans-supplied O-320 with Sensenich 79 inch FP metal prop from Stan Shannon's Rondure Co - best price by far, and performance seems right on the published numbers. It certainly gets off the ground quick. Instrumentation is basic 'steam gauge' although after much searching I did opt for Aerospace Logics' digital CHT monitor on all cylinders, and I can highly recommend it. Special thanks to fellow RVer Chris Gough for doing the initial test flights, and my partner Chris for her support.
Martin Hone
Melbourne, Australia
Martin Hone [martin.hone at tradergroup.com.au]

#120: Michael Robbins
N88MJ (MikeJennifer) first flew in June of 2002, four years and 3,500 hours from it’s conception as a not so “quick build” RV-8. It is powered by a factory new 180-hp O-360-A1A with fuel injection by AirFlow Performance, and a Hartzel constant-speed prop. Paint is PPG Concept applied by . . me. It is day-night IFR equipped with a Garmin 430, ICOM A200, transponder and audio panel by Garmin. It’s mostly an all steam gage panel with electric gyros, including a Century HSI, and Van’s engine instruments along with an EI engine analyzer. It also has an AOA and S-Tec 20 autopilot.
Michael Robbins
Sammamish, Washington
E-mail: robbinsrv8 at msn.com

#119: Sam and Brett Jacobsen (bjacobsen71 at msn.com)
N708J is an RV-8 Quickbuild assembled over a 2 year 10 month period by Sam and Brett Jacobsen. We tried to keep the plane simple and reasonably light, and believe that we achieved our goals. The plane is equipped with an O-360 A1F6 (basically an -A1A but with a dampened crankshaft so there are NO RPM restrictions), MT 3-blade prop, VFR day/night equiped, and PPG Concept paint (which we shot ourselves). First flight took place Sept. 20, 2003, and we now have 59 trouble free hours on the tach. The plane came in at 1095 pounds with paint and interior, meets or exceeds Van's numbers, and my dad just can't seem to keep from doing barrel rolls...with the RV-grin permanently etched on his face. The picture was taken from a Citabria and the RV flys just fine that slow!

Thanks Van!

#118: Sam Ward, Jay Blume, Dennis McCright and Dick Stevens
It is owned by four partners, Sam Ward (myself), Jay Blume, Dennis McCright and Dick Stevens. We bought the airplane from Milo Burroughs in Tacoma, Washington. He did a great job building it. We did a little work on it and put it into paint. Just got it our of paint a couple weeks ago--just in time to fly it to SNF. Hope you like our brand new (to us) 2001 RV-8. The last pic is at SNF.
Sam

#117:  Gary Voth
N95HD is a RV-4 built by Herman Dierks of Round Rock and first flown in 1995.  I was building a Clipped Wing T-Craft and Herman gave me a ride in this plane.  You know the rest (I was ruined).  Las October Hiram Douglas and I purchased this plane from Herman.  The craftsmanship is excellent and we have flown it about 100 hours since October.  It is a terrific airplane and a joy to fly.  It is day, night VFR, and I can't get the RV grin off my face.  The plane is kept at Aresti Aerodrome in Godley, Texas.
PS.  My landings are improving but still exceed my takeoffs.  I haven't figured out how to even the count!

#116

Ron Beasley [ronbeasley at voyager.net]
   My name is Ron Beasley and I live in Franklin IN.  I have been wanting an RV for at least ten years but due to my extensive travel requirements I could never find the time to build. As luck would have it the RV-6 (SN 20070) that was hangered next to me was available. Once I contacted the owner/builder (Bob Stroup) and discussed purchasing I set about selling my then current aircraft (Piper Tomahawk). Bob purchased the kit in 1989 and took him two years to build it. First flight was on 2 July 1990. Bob flew it for 137 hours before loosing his medical.
   The aircraft sat for years but Bob would come to the airport every two weeks to run the prop through by hand and keep a charge on the battery. Once I had a buyer for my plane I made an offer to Bob and the deal was sealed with a hand shake. I went through the aircraft with a fine tooth comb and found only one squak (empty left brake cylinder).
   I purchased the RV on 6 Nov 03 and spent the winter upgrading it with the newer style pressure recovery wheel pants, glass gear leg fairing and intersections fairings. I also obtained my tail dragger endorsement so I would be safe flying this hot rod. With no formal transition training I took the advise of the previous owner and made several high speed taxi runs. Then on a perfect winter day I decided to take her up. It was everything I had hoped it would be...speed, performance and sports car handling. I found that ground handling, although, requiring my constant attention was not a problem for me.
   I now have 18 hours and am looking forward to hitting the sky in earnest this upcoming flying season. My children live in NC and in AK and the wife and I plan on visiting them often. 58BD is powered by a 0320-D3G (160hp) and swings a pace setter prop. Bob is expected to get his medical back in the near future and he plans on flying again just not in the RV-6.

#115
Ron/Barb Grover - rv8grover at charter.net

Stats:

• IO-360 Engine

• Hartzell Constant Speed Prop

• Christen Inverted Oil

• Lasar Electronic Ignition

• Construction Time: 3yrs, 9mo.

• First Flight: July 24, 2000

• Reserve Champion SWRFI 2000

• Workmanship Award LOE 2003

#114
Brian Meier <brian_meier at yahoo.com>
  
   My RV-7A (serial # 70072) first flight on August 1, 2003. has finally arrived.
   N975BM was constructed in just 2 1/2 years from the first RV-7A QB kit shipped from Vans. I used an IO-360-A1B6 200 HP engine and a Hartzell CS prop.
   Empty weight before paint was 1168#, not bad considering the engine/prop combination and the UPS FullStack Avionics including the MX-20. What a great flying machine. To date, I have over 150hrs on the Hobbs and every flight is better than the previous.
   I want to thank everybody that helped and encouraged me, especially my Dad (1/2 owner), Jeff and Mike from 5K6 for always being there to help buck rivets, Rudy for his excellent fiberglass skills, and everyone else who helped out during the building process.

#113

Steve Raddatz
RV-8 N678SR is a quickbuild kit, number 81915.  I received my FAA inspection on 05 Dec 03 and first flew it on 07 Dec 03 it took about 6 months to build.  It flies beautiful, when I first flew it I had a heavy right wing, but that's all taken care of.  Some of the features of this plane are: Grove aluminum streamlined landing gear, Sam James wheel pants, Terry's rear steering link. I chopped two inches off the rollbar and canopy frame which allowed me to lower the canopy two inches and install a wedge windshield from Aero-plastic's that didn't interfere with the baggage door at all. The instrument panel is all electic (NO VACUUM) and I would like to recommend the ACS2002 engine monitoring system it has all the bells and whistles and works perfect as far as the rest of the panel goes it has a Trutrak DFC250 autopilot a Garmin GNS430 also a 327 Transponder and 340 audio panel a King 97 com and a PS engineering cd player. The cowl is Vans smooth bottom injected cowl, but I installed a ram air for the injection servo. The prop is a composite constant speed 3-blade.  It is a IO360A1B6 (200+) hp with 10 to 1 pistons. On the alt. air I installed a secondary buttterfly to completely shut off alt. air and give 100% ram to the servo. The exhaust is ceramic coated inside and out with Jet -Hot. The plane was painted by Mike Taylor of Razor's edge in Alabama and he did a great job.
Steve Raddatz
Muscle Shoals, Al.
n667sr at comcast.net

#112

Jon Baker - jon at shady-wood.com
   My friend Marshall Dues snapped this shot on the way back from the La Grange BBQ fly-in lunch. I thought it came out pretty good.
   N883TT "Beautiful Bette" is an RV6A quick-build (only 1740 hours!). First flight was January 4, 2003. I built her in Tulsa RVS but I'm currently based at Hooks in Houston.
   Her namesake (my wife) wouldn't let me use the nose art I picked out on the nose, so you'll just have to see it for yourself at a fly-in sometime (on the glovebox) .
   New 160hp with C/S prop.  Panel design by Piper, complete with Piper Arrow quadrant and switch panel. Garmin 430, 320, and 340. S-Tec 20 A/P. Sony CD stereo. Cleaveland interior. Jetglow paint.
   Jon Baker
   www.shady-wood.com/airplanes

#111

Paul Schattauer - chasm711 at msn.com
Atlanta Georgia / RV8 #80009  / N808PS
based at KPDK (Peachtree DeKalb)
Fuel injected 180hp with 9.5 to 1 pistons and lightspeed ignition, MT prop, CNX80, SL70R, SL30, SL15m, MX20, NSD 1000, WSI, STEC30 w/alt and gps and some other stuff. Everyone said build light, I chose a different path, 1170 without paint :)

#110

John S. Shablow - jshablow at sdccd.cc.ca.us
EAA# 96811  Temecula, CA  N8MM
   Here is my RV-8A as it sat at Oshkosh this year.  It has an O-360 with a constant speed prop. The fast-build kit arrived in the hanger on 12/23/2001 and the roll-out party was held 18 months later on 6/28/2003. First flight was on July 8th and the RV grin was firmly glued to my face.
   On the 26th hour of flight time I departed for Oshkosh in formation with a close friend. Thirteen hours of flight time later we landed at Oshkosh a week early to do some volunteer work. My lifetime dream of building and flying my own aircraft to the big show was fulfilled.
   Honorable Mention goes to my wife Judy, after whom the aircraft is named, for her patience and dedication to my dream. The nose-art on the aircraft is a likeness of her. She guides me safely through the skies.
   Also, special thanks to Wheeler North for his selfless help the last few weeks. Without his assistance Oshkosh on this special year would not have happened.

#109
Greg Gruninger - GGrun5673 at gbronline.com
Construction of my RV-8 started in Sept. 1998 as standard kit #80443 and was first flown on Oct. 2003 as N7GC.  Power is a hot-rodded IO-360 with a 60 amp B&C alternator, Skytec starter, Airflow Performance injection, ElectoAir electronic ignition and a constant speed prop. It is equipped for day/night IFR with King comm's and nav's, Garmin 340 audio panel and a King KMD-150 GPS.  Engine instrumentation is a VM-1000. It has a custom cowl with a modified Sam James plenum which has been working great. Cylinder head temps stay below 310 degrees on 65 degree days with oil temps averaging around 185 degrees.  This thing is a blast to fly.  I've been truing out around 212-215 mph and have seen ground speeds in excess of 255mph! Thanks go out to all my friends who help make this dream come true, especially Chuck Brietigam, RV builder extraordinaire.
Greg Gruninger Jeffersonville, IN GGrun5673at gbronline.com

#108
Bill Hutton - bj.huttonat verizon.net
N653RV's first flight was on March 21, 2002 at Arlington, WA (AWO) after 13 months of work on a 6A QB kit. The flight and all the rest have been 200+ hrs trouble free. What a great escape machine. Thanks Van. It sports an O-360-A1A with Airflow Performance fuel injection and Hartzell CS prop. The IFR panel includes a UPS stack with MX-20 MFD, VM1000 and EC100, and S-Tec 30 autopilot. We installed dual throttles so that I could fly with the right and power with the left like real airplanes should be flown. The Corvette Torch Red paint job really makes this bird standout. We must have done something right since it won a Workmanship award at the 2002 EAA Arlington Fly-In. A big thanks to Terry Burch for all of his work on the project. And to the Blackjack Squadron for letting this nosedragger fly with them. Oh, and especially to JoAnne, my wife, who kept adding goodies to the panel (eat your hearts out guys). So of course we are now building an RV-7 (not an A) that we started in December and hope to fly by late spring. The speedy build time should be possible by taking the accessory catalogs away from JoAnne.

#107
Troy Grover's

RV6 stats, IO-360 200 HP, Hartzell constant speed prop, full IFR panel, VM-1000 engine monitor. Troy lives in Inaianapolis and is starting an RV Builders assistance Center there. His E-mail address is rv6grover at netzero.net

#106
Curt Reimer - cgreimer at mb.sympatico.ca

Here is my RV-6.  First flight was May 31, 2003.  107 hours so far.  Flew it from Winnipeg, MB, Canada to Mesa, AZ at Christmas and had the time of my life. Great airplane. 160 hp O-320, VFR, Colin Walker wood prop, full lighting, dual GPS. Hope to bring her to Oshkosh this summer.
Curt

#105

David G. Grosch - dbgrosch at comcast.net
EAA#: 387910
Flushing, MI
N617DG

I received my airworthiness certificate on July 1, 2003 and made my first flight on July 13, 2003 (and now have 40 hours on the airplane).

I started my R V 6A in 1998 by building the Empennage in my basement to see if I could do that type of work. After 3 months work on the tail, I found I could rivet and follow the instructions to complete the building process. The next problem was to get a hangar so I would have a place to work on the kit. I built a hangar with another homebuilder and in January 2000, I started construction in earnest. I completed the project in June 2003. The entire fiberglass was primed so I could see the flaws. When they were all corrected I put a final coat of primer on. By doing this it looks good and that will work until it is painted next year.

The airplane has an 0-360 with a constant speed prop and has been certified for IFR flight. The panel includes a Navaid Auto Pilot, and a Vision Microsystems Engine Monitor.

#104

Jeffrey Hall - jhallrv4 at comcast.net
GlacierRV super-slow-build kit nr. 2179. Now with 150 hrs, based at FNL, Ft. Collins/Loveland airport, Colorado. 180hp with f/p Sensenich prop. IFR equipped, full lighting, Oxygen, AnywhereMap in front, Garmin GPS map 195 for G.I.B. Infinity stickgrip. Photo taken in Fall of 2003 at Leadville, Colorado. Builder: Jeff Hall

#103

Daniel R.Urbanski
8705 Township CT
Fort Worth TX 76179
817-236-2435
E-Mail qdu000 at wt.net

After 7 years and 4 months of fun and labor, my RV-6A was certified on February 5th 2003.  I made the first flight on February 12th.

The chase plane was a beautiful RV8 built and flown and by Captain Warren M. "Van" VanderBurg. In the back seat as observer, note taker, photographer and friend was John Zapp.

RV 6A Serial # 24400 was a slow build project; the quick build model had not been born yet.  Because I wanted to keep it simple it is propelled by a 180 hp.A2A Lycoming clone from Aero Sport Power located in Kamloops B.C. It has a fixed pitch metal prop from Sensenich Propellers Inc.

I intend to file IFR so I installed a heat pitot tube, an Apollo SL-M audio panel with intercom, A Garmin 430 radio, Garmin Transponder GTX327, and a Garmin ILS receiver. It is already wired, and a rack installed for a 2nd Garmin 430 (in the future). It also has a Navaid auto pilot. The engine gages are all simple analog gauges.

I flew the plane home from the paint shop on Dec.23,2003 my birthday, what a birthday present!

Anyone who has built a airplane can tell you it takes a village to build a airplane. At this time I would like to mention the people in my village who helped me along the way. First of all I would like to thank my wife Roberta (Bobbie) for all her support, and patience. Next would be my good neighbor and friend Dan Hoenig, who bucked 90% of the rivets, Then there is John Jenista who let me use his hanger for the final assembly. Other people who gave me advice or made suggestion were RV experts like Bill Akin, Jay Pratt of RV Central Bob Avery of Avery tools, George and Becki Orndorff (of GeoBeck, Inc.), and photographer/ webmaster Doug Reeves for taking these pictures, THANKS EVERYONE.

Regards

Daniel R Urbanski

#102

Aaron Zeff <azeff at priorityparking.com>
I got so excited after seeing Mike Ballard's military RV-8 scheme that I feel compelled to submit my RV-8 as a candidate for an upcoming "RV of the Week".
Happy Holidays,
Aaron Zeff / RV-8 QB / N768AZ / 125 hours+ / 415.777.4042 x104

#101

Mike Ballard
My just completed RV-8 named Judy,Judy,Judy in honor of my wife, building partner, and co-pilot. New O-360, C/S, and Garmin IFR stack complete the package. N165JM is based at 7A3 (Lanett, AL). More photos and details at my web site: http://knology.net/~mballard/
Mike Ballard

#100

Eddie Martin
After 6 years of forcing my wife and kids to help me, we finally flew our 6 in November 02. Eddie's Mistress is one fun machine to fly (although it wasn't exactly the notorious "loads of fun " to build), especially in a gaggle with my fellow RV hacks. I put the biggest motor in it that I could afford, kept the weight down, and installed the special canopy option to allow for swelled-headed entry/exit.
Eddie Martin, Peachtree City, Ga - phlyz4phun at bellsouth.net

#99

Emmett Griffith
This is pic of recently completed 8A N14EG. It happens to be the third RV8 to be completed by myself (retired TWA captain ). Who says that pilots can't do anything but fly?   I live in an airpark at the end of the runway in Payson, Arizona, so any RV drivers who happen to pass this way, please call for a friendly cup of coffee at our Crosswinds restaurant.
Emmett Griffith
928 474-5128 or emmettg at cybertrails.com

#98

Ross Burgess
Built by Chris McBride in Austin,TX.  180hp O-360A1A C/S (both from Van's), S-Tec 30 AP coupled to the GPS and heading bug.  AOA indictor and manual trim and flaps.  Panel shot.

#97

Dave Hamilton - hami1176 at bellsouth.net
   My RV-8 (serial # 80001) is finally completed and sporting new paint by Mike Taylor at Razors Edge RV Painting.
   N880RV was constructed over a seven and a half year period from the first RV-8 kit shipped. I used an IO-360 200 HP engine and a three blade prop. Performance is typical RV-8 which is to say fantastic!
   I want to express my appreciation to all who helped and encouraged me, to Van’s for a truly special aircraft and most of all to my family for putting up with this project. We are really enjoying the aircraft and plan extensive travels beginning right now!
Dave Hamilton
Peachtree City, GA (map)

#96

Don Kugler
   N428DK, s/n 80608 is an RV8, that I first flew on March 24th, 2003 after nearly five years of part-time building. It has a 200 HP Lycoming IO-360AIB6 engine turning a Hartzell C/S prop. The airplane is set up for IFR flight with full gyros, autopilot, and a Garmin avionics suite. The first flight went off without a hitch with Ken Johnson flying chase in his Glassair III to make sure no big parts fell off. The fly-off period and subsequent hours have gone nearly flawlessly with only minor tweaks and adjustments needed.
   Many thanks to all of the local RV builders/pilots, friends, and of course my wife Karen (also a pilot) for all of their help, support, and patience during the entire process. What a terrific airplane! See you all next year at OSH and SNF.
   Don Kugler
   Flemington, NJ
   donkugler at earthlink.net

#95
 
   Bill Eslick first flew N268BL on June 15, 2002. Construction took ten years, what with raising kids and all. For you new guys, that means NO PUNCHED HOLES!  Engine is a Mazda 13B rotary.  Engine weight and performance seem to match the 160 HP Lycoming fixed pitch guys. It has been to the Northwest twice, Lakeland once, and lots of stops elsewhere. Over 210 smoooth hours logged to date. 2.176/1 redrive and engine/ignition computer are from Tracy Crook at http://www.rotaryaviation.com/.
   This aircraft flies cross-country at 170 mph at around 10 GPH, for those of you who like comparisons. I can get much better mileage, but that is as slow as I can stand!
Bill & Linda Eslick - wgeslick at charter.net
Granbury, TX

#94

Gene Larsen - Gene.Larsen at ia.ngb.army.mil
   I let Vans know that another RV-9A is in the air (number 53).  About 6 PM on Oct 2nd, 2003, N194GL affectingly know as "Moody Blue" took to the sky from Atlantic Iowa Muni Airport. My wife Janet and good friend and fellow builder Bill Gast were there as ground crew. The flight was uneventful except for many RV grins. There was a moderate crosswind and thought I might need to use the turf runway, but after 2 practice approaches, I determined that the 9 does very well with crosswind landings and I put it down on the numbers. I have to give great credit to Bob Lynch in Jefferson City, MO for the excellent transition training. Other credit should go to my wife for the great support over the 3 years and 2250 hours it took to finish the bird, Bill Gast and Steve Steinhoff for builders assistance, Van for the wonderful design and kit and many others who encouraged me and helped buck rivets and move heavy parts around.
   Some specs: engine is a used E2D O320, one mag is replaced by a Jeff Rose ignition, engine monitor and encoder by RMI, AOA is by LRI, Comm is an SL60, pitot is by Gretz, A/P is NavAid, paint is PPG basecoat/clearcoat, prop is Sensinich.
   The 9 flies very well and lands like a dream (very slow). I now have the test hours flown off and Janet and I took our first cross country trip to Arkansas to visit friends last weekend. I wanted to attend LOE3 but that was little too ambitious at this point. (next year for sure).

#93

Leif Stener - leif.stener at @swipnet.se
I built this RV-6 (SN 23793) over a 7 year period. Construction was started 10/94 and the first flight was on 8/8/01. I have over 200 hours of nice flying in it now. SE-XRV is equipped with an IO-320 with a Pacesetter (68x71) wood prop. The performance of the plane is amazing and I´m impressed about the short field ability. Here in north of Sweden (maps) the days are short in the winter so I made the plane for night VFR. It has dual brakes, manual flaps, electric aileron and elevator trim, one radio (Becker AR3201), transponder with encoder, ELT, Garmin GPS pilot III and of course a nice PS501 intercom with a music input from my CD player. I did the painting, interior and I also overhauled the engine myself so I can say I have learn a lot of things. Special thanks to my friend and helping hand Ulf Svensson, my technical consulter Sven-Erik Pira and of course my wife Lena.
Leif Stener
Ostersund, Sweden

#92

John Fasching N1CX - n1cxo320 at salidaco.com
This is my RV6A that first flew in 1995. It has a Lycoming O-320 160HP that takes it to 205MPH max TAS at full throttle (Warnke prop) and at 2,300 RPM day-in and day-out it does 175TAS using 6.1GPH.  I fly out of Salida, Colorado (7489 MSL) without trouble, and go in and out of Leadville easily. The hills behind the plane in the photo are 14,000 plus, so the excellent perforance is really appreciated. I have about 350 trouble free hours on the plane now. The paint job is 'home-made' has is a typical "15-foot" appearance - that is, if you stand back 15-feet it looks pretty good !

#91

Larry Farris
     "Just in case you don't have enough RV photos, here is another. Aircraft is an RV6AQB built by Paul Besing which I bought about 18 months ago, flying but unfinished.  I (with the help of many good folks at DVT) have gotten her about as near finished as a homebuilt is ever finished, while putting over 100 hours on it. Paint was near the last step--still a few things to do.
   I'm really happy with the finished product."
Larry Farris - ljfarris at cox.net
Peoria AZ
DVT, N176A

#90

Joe "Zack" Czachorowski - zackrv8 at verizon.net
   This is the 3rd and FINAL paint job of my RV8. I caught much grief from my Mid Atlantic RV Wing buddies for painting it over and over. Third time's a charm and I finally like this scheme. It was copied from one of my flying buds, Ralph "Mustang" Morgan. I used PPG DBC as the base color followed by PPG DCC Concept Clear Coat. The first two paint jobs were done with Dupont Imron. I like the PPG better!  Several more RV8's from the Mid Atlantic Region will be painted like the "Blue Nosers" of the 352nd Fighter Group."

#89

Bill Turner – email: BLTurner1 at aol.com
   N68LT RV-8 #81164.   With the tail completed we started a marathon at Jay Pratt’s RV Central on January 9, 2003. It was certified on April 29, 2003, 92 working days later, with the first flight on May 5, 2003. It is equipped with a parallel valve IO-360 Superflite (Superior), Hartzell C/S blended airfoil prop, Dynon EFIS, Garmin 430, and Van’s engine instruments. I am now enjoying this airplane more and more with each flight.
   Thanks goes to Mike Hepperlen for getting me started, Dan and Gary McClellan for the Texas connection, Jay Pratt (The RV Guru) for keeping the project on track along with Jim Vroom and Troy Thompson. Being from Illinois, I must give special thanks to all the Texas BC’s for freely giving their counsel, help, inspiration and most importantly, their friendship.
Bill Turner
Marengo, IL

#88

Scott Jackson - jayeandscott at shaw.ca
   Now that I've been cleared to fly solo wingman by the Western Canada Wing following instruction, I lost no time in arranging a formation practice with a cameraman riding shotgun in Lead.  Attached is a picture of our RV-6, painted like only twelve of two hundred Canadair CT-114 Tutors - sort of a single-engine Cessna T-37 Tweet and the aircraft still flown by the Snowbirds.  All the Tutors were delivered to the Canadian Air Force with red noses, tails and wingtips and bare metal fuselages and wings.
   When the Golden Centennaires were formed to celebrate Canada's 100th birthday, they painted twelve Tutors in dark blue and gold. At year's end, the paint was stripped to return them to the standard paint scheme, but prepping the bare aluminum parts for the blue-and-gold scheme had rendered the surface unsuitable for a return to bare metal, so they painted those parts white, hence the handful of Tutors with white and red paint schemes.
   Despite Randall Henderson yanking my chain about how many decals it carries, the Imitutor is actually very accurately marked to reflect a 1983 No.2 Central Flying Training School fleet machine. Of course, I took liberal license with changing some to Van's Air Force.
   The interior, too, was as close as I could get to a Tutor: dual, left-hand throttles with electric flaps run from the speed brake switch on the throttle grip's top, identical stick grips with two-axis electric trim, military-style instrument mounting, an annunciator panel, and a jettisonable canopy sporting a mirror.
   A parachute and helmet was considered mandatory for the flight testing phase, but I got used to them and now wear them most of the time.

#87

Chuck Stratman - email: Pilot93434 at cox.net
   N118JR (JoyRide) RV-8 QB # 81183 was certified on May 20, 2003 and first flight occurred on May 23rd. Equipped with a new 180hp engine and C/S prop. Dynon EFIS, VM1000, NavAid wing leveler, RST 565 Audio panel, King 76C transponder SL-30 Nav/Comm and Garmin 295 installed in the panel. Joy, my wife, co-builder and GIB has a Garmin 196 for back seat instrumentation.
   This airplane is everything I hoped it would be. Thanks Van for a superb kit. Thanks to My wife Joy for her help and support, and to my brother Paul (RV-6A, N21PS, TailorMaid) for his technical advice, many shop visits for assistance and a few RV rides for inspiration.
Chuck Stratman
Topeka, KS

#86

Donald Harvey RV9A was signed of by the FAA Feb.11,2003 and flown for the first time April 10,2003. SN# 90281 I started construction in Jan. 2001. I am retired 71 year old who started flying 34 years ago. I have owned 14 different airplanes in the last 10 years and either built or restored most of them. This is my 2nd RV in the last 3 years. I built a RV8A for a friend of mine prior to building the 9A but it was a fast build kit finished in just 11 months. The 9A was not a fastbuild, but it went together real easy with the pre-punched rivet holes. This is a real nice flying plane. 160 hp Lyc. w/ 7079 Sen Prop Very slick and fast. 185 to 190 mph @ 2200 rpm and only 6 gph fuel burn. Van's instruments ,GPS com, Transponder, incoder, intercom, ELT, Electric Flaps, Manual Elev-trim & Wing trim., duel brakes, Nav strobe combination on wings and tail and landing light. The plane now has 30 hrs on it and everything is working perfect.  Thanks Vans for a beautifully engineered kit. (817) 293-0699 Ft. Worth, TX 76140  - donvah at worldnet.att.net

#85

Steve Schultz - RV68CS at aol.com 
My newly completed RV-8, N42CS, with IO360B1B, Hartzell constant speed prop, Airflow Performance fuel injection, Tru-Trak auto pilot, dual Icom radios, Ky76C transponder, Northstar GPS60, Hooker harness, Cleavland Tool interior, John Forsling exhaust system. It was a 5-1/2 year project assisted by my friend Gayle LeCount and an understanding wife. Beautiful kit!
Steve Schultz
Kit #80546 

#84

David L. Wilson 
   This particular plane displays the official Air Force Centennial of Flight logo which was produced by Aerographics with permission of the Air Force at the Pentagon. The EL displayed on the vertical stabilizer commemorates my mother Elizabeth and my home town of East Liverpool, Ohio. The AF03 means that the plane was certified during the centennial year. Number 1450 is the actual RV-8 kit number. 
   Of course the plane had to be done up in another stylized one of a kind Air Force paint scheme due to the fact that our family now has three generations who have served. All three of us are now private pilots and we've all done time in the RV-8's! 
   This airplane received an Outstanding Workmanship Award at Oshkosh 2003.  Tthis was my second RV-8 to win this type of award at Oshkosh. 
David L. Wilson 
Experimental Aircraft Association - No. 95,113 
RV-8 project serial numbers: 80601, 81450, 81883 
297 Park Lane Drive 
Galesburg, IL 61401 USA 
home telephone: (309) 342-9939 
wireless telephone: (309) 368-9993

#83

John Hughes - rv6flyer at netzero.net
Irvine, CA
RV-6 N164JH "yellowtail"
"My RV-6 had it's first flight May 6, 2001 and now has 275 trouble free hours.  Powered by a factory new Lycoming O-360A1A spinning a new Hartzell Constant Speed Prop.  Full IFR panel with Bendix King, Garman, JPI, EI engine instruments, Navaid wing leveler.  Sporting a slider canopy. This is a great X-country flying machine.  Thank you Van's for such a great design."

#82

Ken Balch - kbalch1_at_comcast.net
Ashland, MA
  My RV-8 (#81125) was built over a 2.5 year period (with the help of my wife, Jean), with the first flight occurring on May 30, 2002.  I flew the airplane unpainted until late April, 2003 when it went into the paint shop.  The airplane has an IO-360-A1B6 from Aerosport Power, a new Hartzell c/s prop from Van's, and is day/night VFR with gyros.  It has a GX-65 GPS/Comm & an SL-70 transponder.
   The paint scheme was envisioned by me, with details filled in by Craig Barnett of Scheme designers.  Final artistic touches were rendered, along with the entire paint job, by John Stahr of Stahr Design.  I think it came out great!  Needless to say, it flies like an RV, which is to say: Fantastic!!

#81

Hoyt Highfill - Travlnbus@aol.com - Flying out of Farmerville, Louisiana.
   We received the RV7A - Quickbuild kit from Van's on Dec. 4th, 2002 and "Dual in the Sun" made her 1st flight on April 14th, 2003. Not bad for a 67 year old guy and a 68 year old technical advisor! We picked it up from the paint and interior shop on July 2nd, 2003. I am extremely pleased with both, paint and interior.
   It's powered by a superior IO-360 with Lazar ignition with constant speed 3-blade MT prop. The panel includes Garman 430, 320, an Icon A 200, and a VM 1000 Engine monitor. Autopilot is trutrack with altitude hold. 
   The interior is Dove Gray leather on the seats, including rear saddle pockets, and maroon carpet.  I am like a kid with a new toy! I'm currently still tweaking it as it has only been flown 57 hours. Boy is it ever beautiful!!!! 
Hoyt Highfill - travlnbus@aol.com
N-181HH
Farmerville, Louisiana

#80

Don Nowakowski
I built this RV-6 (SN 24294) over a 6 year period. Construction was started 9/95 and the first flight was on 9/22/01.  513DN is equipped with an O-320 with a fixed pitch Sensenich prop. The performance of the plane is amazing and meets or exceeds Van's numbers. My wife ,Deborah, was very supportive during the building process and helped a lot. I had three great friends who had a hand in the construction...Don Taylor, Bruce Uvanni (building a beautiful 6A) and Greg Nuttall. The plane is night VFR equipped. 513DN is based at FSO (Northern Vermont).
Don Nowakowski , Equipment Engineering Tech
Telephone (802)288-3359,

#79

Lachie Milne - lgmilne at netvigator.com
   This is VH-CLG (Australian Register), my RV8 which I purchased late last year, and have been doing up since through Custom Aero (Brett Turnip) in Adelaide, South Australia. Built originally as VH-SOG by John Schulz and Kevan Gray, Brett has since been enhancing what was a very good quality build, re-working the engine, fitting new spats, trousers, new fairings, new four into one ceramic chrome exhaust, new vacuum pump (ilo venturi system), replacing the stb mag with lightspeed 2 plus electronic ign, a refit of the windscreen and canopy (totally flush now), and a repaint featuring Prismatek two pack multi color reflective metallic blue paint. It is about as "clean" as you can get, TAS'ing at 180Kts at 75% at 4000ft. The IFR'ing is the next project, which will include addition of UPS GX65 and SL70 txpdr, Approach Systems IFR hub, among a new carbon fibre instrument panel fitted out to meet IFR rqts. 
   Currently she's fitted with Lycoming 180hp IO-360, Hartzell constant speed prop, dual controls, elec trim (on aileron soon also), Narco NAVCOM, Garmin GPS 111 pilot, and shortly to add Formula 2 racing seats (the foam leather squashes down a bit much under 'G'). The photos show my instructor son Cameron taxiing out with Brett on the first test flight, and a shot of myself changing formation station (seen below Jon Johansen's tailplane). As an Airbus A330/A340 check and trainer, it was quite a "leveler" to be re-trained in the art of "bugsmasher"/taildragger flying by my 22 year old - we had a "ball", I have to say. Cameron gets to look after the little "rocket" until I retire from my job with Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong in a couple of years time. We both just love the aircraft; great to fly, beautifully harmonized controls, and what tremendous overall performance. It has put the fun back into flying, and yes, the RV grin features on a regular basis! My wife Jan is also a great fan, sitting up behind me , giving me sage advice on navigation, wx ,etc, while we "blat" around Australia. 
   Thanks for a great little aircraft Van,
Rgds,
Lachie Milne

#78

Francis Butler
Engine: Aerosport Power IO-360-A1A 200 HP, Sky Dynamics 4 into 1 exhaust, Lasar Ignition, Hartzell Prop (soon to change to a MT 3 blade), Inverted Oil. PPG Base/Clear, Silver and Blue with Harlequin ghost flames under the blue. Ghost flames only visible in sunlight at certain angles.

#77

Emmanuelle Richard; Van Nuys, CA - pawneeflyer1_at_yahoo.com
Here is another RV for your website.  It actually took its first flight in oct 2001 but we were too busy rolling and looping it to bother with the pictures.

My friend Cameron and I just finished our first photoshoot. I looked for the perfect flying RV4 for 2 years and ended up buying a project, thinking it would be done in 6 months. Boy was I wrong! It took 2 jobs and 2 years of intense labor to get it in the air, and an additional year to finish it and get rid of all the duct tape.  With its I-O-360, C/S prop and light weight, it climbs like a bat out of hell.  Really a fun plane!

Many thanks to Cameron for helping with the polishing and photographing her, and to Full-Throttle-Keith for flying the C-152 photoship

#76

Dick Jason - prestige_at_sover.net
Swanton, Vermont
This is my 2nd. RV. N661DJ was purchased from the original builder in Toronto CA. The airplane has undergone 6 months of modifications and improvements including the addition of a constant speed prop., all new fiberglass cowlings and fairings, wheel pants, elect. trim and aux fuel tank. Topped off with new clear coat paint and new interior. The airplane is based at FSO.

#75

Jeff Hawkins - n563jh_at_yahoo.com
I’m sending a picture of my completed RV-8 N563JH. She passed inspection on Saturday (5/10/2003) and is ready to fly. She was built from a standard kit in five years and six months. Features include a Lycoming 0-320 D2A overhauled by Aero Sport, Ed Sterba 68x74 propeller, Basic day/night VFR instrumentation with a King KLX-135A and King KT-76A transponder. The paint is PPG Concept and was applied in my basement and garage. A big thanks goes to the greatest wife a guy could have and my dad who kept me motivated and helped with some of the more expensive parts of the project - Thanks Dad! 
Jeff Hawkins 
Atlanta, Georgia 
N563JH 

#74

Len Leggette RV-8A - Lenleg_at_aol.com 
Attached is a picture of my RV-8A first flown on October 27, 2002 after 3 years and 8 months of construction. O-360 with constant speed prop. All electric with the B&C 8amp backup alternator. Rocky Mtn uEncoder and uMonitor, Icom A200, VAL INS 422, EI dual fuel gauge, Garmin 295, Infinity grip. Panel overlay with reverse engraving by Steve Davis. Leather seats produced by me at my furniture manufacturing company. Performance is pretty much Van's specs. A real joy to fly ... 61 hours on the tach. I love this airplane !!
Len Leggette RV-8A - Lenleg_at_aol.com 
N901LL 
Greensboro, N.C.
61 hours !! 

#73

RV-8 #78 first flew on Apr 10, 2002, after 2½ years of hard work (spread over 6 yrs). N118RD has a Barrett Performance IO360 behind a Hartzel CS prop. With that counter-weighted engine, GBI seats/upholstery and paint she weighs 1147 lbs. My friend Ron Jantzen and I spent three long weekends painting her with Dupont's Automotive Base Coat/Clear Coat system. In the cockpit I used most of Van's instruments and added an E.I. UBG-16 engine analyzer. Avionics include Garmin's 250XL GPS/comm and GTX-320A Xpdr and a PM1000II intercom. The DG, AG and T&B are all electric. The autopilot is Trutrak's Digitrak and Altrak. The parking brake, hot/cold floor-air and wig-wag landing lights add personal touches. She now has 155 hrs, performance is spectacular and I'm still thrilled.

Ron Dunn - dunn_at_ssd.fsi.com 
Broken Arrow, OK

#72

Tom Rogers - Tom226_at_msn.com
My RV is an RV-7. N360TR. Powered by Lycoming IO-360-B1A. The first flight was on May 3rd, 2003. All numbers are as advertised by RV. The plane is a quick build finished by Tom Rogers(Pilot/Owner). The plane was purchased on the 9th of August of 2002. Full King Dash with a Skyforce, KX155, 89B, 76C Xponder, Stormscope, Dynon EFIS and R&R Altitude Hold. 

#71

Chris Simpson 
N5731A was first flown on July 15, 2002 and took 2 years and 3 months to complete. She has inverted fuel and oil and is powered by a Lycoming AEIO-360 turning an Sensenich metal 72" prop with 85" of pitch. Empty weight is 1015 lbs. I couldn't be happier with the handling and performance. I can't begin to describe what an incredible experience building and flying your own airplane is. Thanks to all my friends involved in this project for there support and help. 
Email: chris_at_techass.com 
Web page: www.techass.com/csimpson/rv4/rv4.html 

#70

Wayne Petrus  "The paint and graphics were completed today (5/2/03)."
Wayne Petrus - Dwpetrus_at_aol.com
RV8A
West Monroe, LA 

#69

Jerry Driskill
This is my 7th homebuilt, which I've sence sold and am currently constructing another RV-8.  I am 64 years old, retired USAF, retired cropduster, retired airline mechanic, now enjoying real airplanes.  Have been an A&P since '63.  Am a member of the KC RV group.  Am listed on the hospitality page.  Would welcome any overnighters on their way to/from OSH.
Builder: Jerry Driskill, Cameron, Missouri
RV-8 QB Kit No. 80798
Finish date June 15, 2001.
O320-D2B, 160 HP.  Warnke Almost constant speed prop, with Mark Landoll harmonic balancer.  Grand Rapids engine information system.  MicroAir 720 radio and intercom.  Day/night VFR, (no vacuum sys), empty weight 1030.  Lightspeed Electronic Ignition Left side.  Rear throttle, stick and pedals.  Cruises 170mph at 2340 rpm.

#68

Bill Hess
RV8 N128RV S/N 81054 first flew on November 9th, 2002 after 3 years and of construction and a total hip replacement and open Heart Sergery. I now have 105 hours on her and she is an absolute joy to fly. My 8 is equipped with an O360 & Hartzell constant speed prop. She weighed in at 1082 lbs with interior. I plan to fly from Daytona Beach to Van's Homecoming this year. 
Bill Hess, EAA Chapter 288

#67

David R. Segars drsegars_at_bellsouth.net
Kaolin Field(OKZ)
Sandersville, Georgia
I received my tail kit mid Dec 01. My first flight was Feb 1, 03. It took 13.5 months (including wait times) and approx 1650 hrs to build this standard kit RV-7, N137DS. It has a Lycoming 0-360A1A with constant speed Hartzell. Equipped with the new ACS-2002 digital engine monitoring system, King KMD-150, Apollo SL-30 NavCom, Apollo SL-70 xpdr, Mocroair MA760 com, PMA 7000MS audio pnl, and much more. It handles and flies like a dream. I used a builder's assistance program (KaolinAviationService.com) that helped me from opening the first box, to taking the pictures used here. For that, I am truly grateful.

#66
Glen Plugge

My 6-A was signed off Feb. 27 2002 and now has 180 hours on it including trips to Sun & Fun and LOE2. At LOE2 we won the longest distance traveled award and also won an outstanding workmanship award. My wife Phyllis and I were the only two from east of the Mississippi River at LOE2 because of the lousy weather. We flew about 16 hours round trip and at least 14 of those were hard IFR. About 15 of my Alabama buddies were left behind looking at the low ceilings. I have an AeroSport Power 0-320 engine with an Aymar-Demuth prop, three axis electric trim, electric flaps, Navaid autopilot (an absolute must for extended IFR). My thanks go to A&P John Trotter whose 6-A was signed off simultaneously with mine, the Tennessee Valley RV Builders Group, and my wife and copilot Phyllis. Also to Mike Taylor of Razor's Edge in Bessemer, Alabama for the great paint job. We look forward to another great year of trips to fly-ins and airshows. 
Glen Plugge bamaplugge@aol.com 

#65

Ronald Sutton (suttonron_at_worldnet.att.net)
N112TT recently logged 1000 hours. Built and lovingly maintained by Ron Sutton of Carson City, Nevada. Presently owned by Greg Jeppesen of Reno, Nevada, who understands that the mechanic must test any aircraft he maintains. The photo was taken on the Saturday morning joy ride over Lahontan Reservoir near Fallon, Nevada with Ron Sutton at the stick. Empty weight of 935#, 180 horse Lycoming, Sensenich aluminum fixed-pitch prop means 5.2# per horsepower. This equals the best possible flying and multiple RV grins.

#64

RV8 N3010A S/N 81195 
IN THE COMPANY OF GREATS! My RV had just received it unlimited airworthiness certificate, 1/25/2003. My first cross country was to Chino Ca. for the Tuskegee airman seminar. After parking at the air museum, this photo was taken.  I didn't realize the gravity of this shot until after I saw the print. My RV is parked between one of the greatest fighters of W.W.II, P-51 Mustang, and one of the greatest transports of all time, Douglas DC-3.  First flight, 10/12/2002, from a standard kit took 3 years, however it took just 1.6 hr. to fly from Phoenix, AZ to Chino, CA. WOW what a plane.
Larry Mcconnell
Phoenix, AZ
mstudio828@aol.com 

#63
Pat Stewart - Dpsste@aol.com 
QB RV8 N84EP named "Stress Relief" 
Built by Pat Stewart. Construction time was just short of 14 months. The aircraft was built in my garage then taken to Hicks field to install the wings. Jay Pratt was a big help getting me ready to fly. My 8 is powered by a certified 200 hp IO360 AIB6, air flow performance fuel pump, bendix fuel injection with GAMI injectors along with a new Hartzell Constant speed prop. Panel is pretty much loaded IFR with two GPS/COMS, one IFR, one VFR. After making sure the aircraft was sound and required no more adjustments we decided it was time to paint. The paint job was inspired by the Bud Anderson / Jack Roush P51 Old Crow.

Although I had the RV grim when Jay Pratt did the test flight, the best came today as I Flew "Stress Relief" by myself for the first time.

#62
Jim Huls, 241 N. Pierce St., Salem, SD 57058-8858, jphuls@triotel.net. 
First flight Dec. 2, 2002. This is the second plane built by Huls, the first was an RV-4 finished in 1996. The RV-8A cockpit is very comfortable, visibility excellent. The second plane is just as much fun to build and fly as the first plane. The RV-8A was built in 3 1/2 years. Aerosport IO360B1B, 180 horsepower engine, Hartzell constant speed prop, electric trim, King KX125, KT96A and Garmin 196GPS. Weight 1100 lbs.

#61 

Steve Mustaikis/Alfred Wright
N456WM was built by Steve Mustaikis and Alfred Wright. Construction began in December 1999, and the first flight was three years later (Dec 2001). After flying 155 hrs unpainted in a little less than a year it was time to paint. N456WM was painted by Mike Taylor (Razors Edge) in Bessemer, AL (EKY). The plane has been named “Batty Alice”. The story of the name is, “Batty” due to the paint scheme. “Alice” due to a Star Trek Voyager episode where a fighter they acquired had it's own personality and caused one crew member to become completely obsessed with it, forgetting about his work and his girlfriend. I'm not sure how Steve’s wife made the connection. Special thanks go to members of the TVRVBG for the help and motivation to finish the project. Batty Alice is IFR equipped and is powered by a 160HP Lycoming and a Hartzell CS Prop.

#60

N15LW - Larry Westbrook
N15LW began as kit 90016 and first flew in November of 2001. Mr. John Henly flew his RV-6 from Florida to give Larry some transition training before the first flight, which was uneventful "except for the landing which was a pretty good splat!"  After 200 hrs in the first year, Larry is now proud to be making plenty of good landings (when he's by himself, although nobody believes him).  Powered by a new 0-320 and fixed pitch prop from Vans, the speeds are very close to Vans numbers.  The all-electric panel was done by Avionics Systems. Gauges are Vans' except for the oil temp.  Larry would like to thank Bobby Linch, Charles Henson, and Vince Potts (building a 7A) for all of their help. The only thing he'd do differently would be to go with the Quick-build to get in the air sooner.
 More info on this plane 

#59
RV8 N808VR S/N 80856 first flew on October 5th, 2002 after 3 years and 10 months of construction and a total of 1450 hours in the shop. I now have 55 hours on her and she is an absolute blast to fly. My 8 is equipped with an O360 by Aerosport Power turning a Catto composite fixed pitch prop. She weighed in at 1034 lbs unpainted and minimal interior. I plan to start painting in the next couple of months so I'll have it complete in time for the summer fly-ins. The plane is based at 52F in a hangar two doors down from Doug Reeves and Danny King. If you want to see more, check out my website at  http:\\n808vr.homestead.com
Dan Frank
Trophy Club, TX
dfrank@dfwairport.com

#58
On December 10, 2002, at 9:56 a.m., our RV-8 N819MW took to the air, leaving runway 27 at KARR located 36 miles southwest of O’Hare International Airport. 

Our RV-8 was built with the intention of being light. The electronic scales told the story: the empty weight was 986#!! The “Charles Lindbergh method” was employed: if it wasn’t needed it wasn’t bolted/riveted on the airframe.

The airplane is powered by a 160 hp O320D3G and has an Aymar-Demuth 68-73 propeller. The aircraft is day/night VFR; instrumentation is a Microair 760 for com; and has a Grand Rapids technology engine monitor. The entire airframe is polished; all fiberglass pieces were painted silver. The lightening bolt down the fuselage is reminiscent of the 757 I fly at my day job, in retro American Airlines paint scheme.

All in all, I had four small squawks after the first flight, all of which were remedied by the time we left the airport. For those of you still building, read what Van has to say in the construction manual. “A 160 HP RV is NOT an underpowered airplane.” 

I would like to thank my riveting partner and wife, Gale, who was very supportive throughout the project; my 14 year old son, Kyle, who helped me make the intersection fairings; and my 17-year old daughter, Lindsey, who would hold things when Rosie the riveter wasn’t available. A big Kudos goes to Van’s tech staff for entertaining all my questions.

Thanks (Van's) for the great kit; it flies great and is it fast !!!

Mark S. Weber

#57

RV 8: C-GKNU
Owner: Allan Spurgeon, Calgary, Alberta, Canada allan.spurgeon@triloch.com
Builder: Fritz Bortenlanger, Calgary, Alberta - completion time was 2100 hours over a 1.5 year period. Fritz previously built and owns an RV 8 A with similar equipment.
First flights: June 2002 by Builder, January 16, 2003 by new owner
Total Time: 35 Hours by Builder, 1 hour by new owner 
Engine: IO-360 A1B6 - 200HP by Bart Lalonde
Propeller: Hartzell HC-C2YK-1BF constant speed 
Empty weight: 1128 lbs 
Panel: Garmin 250XL, ICOM IC-A200, Garmin GTX 327 Transponder, PS Engineering PM1000 Intercom, Navaid Single Axis Autopilot with GPS tracking, KS Tetra II EGT/CHT, Plus all the Usual Flight and Monitoring Guages.
Equipment: Tempest Dry Air Vacuum pump, Nippo Alternator, Sky-Tech Starter
Performance: Outstanding, 170 Knots Cruise, 2000 + FPM Climb

#56
Jim Palmer - December 29 2002
"A cold gray west Michigan morning, my pride and passion N78PP, leapt into the sky with an eager promise of thousands more to come. She climbed straight, solid and true. Before she was back in the barn, a dozen more takeoff and landings, and almost four hours of air under her feet.  Thanks to: The late Frank Antosh, (his dream started this aircraft) I think he would be proud; Merl Mulder, always steady hands; Tech adviser Ken Fryling; Photographer Marlene and many others."
RV 6A N78PP #25392
180 Lycoming 
1065 # without pants or paint
Sensenich FP
Basic IFR
Thanks to all
Jim Palmer
Grandville Mi
junk80@attbi.com

#55

Jeff & Tamara Stokes - Dover Centre, Ontario, Canada jtstokes@netrover.com
RV6 QB - completion time was 2800 hours over a 4 year period
First flight - March 2000, test pilot was Mac Mazurek
Engine - 0-320 D1A 160HP purchased from Eustace Bowhay and rebuilt by Bart Lalonde
Prop - Harzell constant speed C2YL-1BF purchased from Vans
Empty weight - 1055 lbs
Performance - cruise @ 75% power 180 mph/ 156 knots
Equipment - day night VFR (vacuum pump, A.H. and D.G. not yet installed)
Panel - Apollo SL 40 com, Flight Com 403 intercom, Narco AT150 transponder mode C, GPS Pilot III, Insight 602 graphic engine monitor, portable CD player 
Assistant builders - Jill Ellis, Ken Osbourne
Technical Assistance - Terry Jantzi RV6, Gord Baxter RV6 , Dave Mallot RV6
Paint - by Brian Kernohan, Centralia Aircraft Refinishing - sikkens base and clear coat
Things to rave about 
- Jantzi steering link for full swivel tail wheels was installed giving excellent control and stability
- Team Rocket gear leg and intesectiom fairings fit perfectly out of the box
- Headsets Inc. noise reduction kits installed in my David Clark headsets

#54

I've been flying my RV-8 now for about a year and a couple of months, and I thought that it might be a good candidate for RV of the month. My RV-8 - N808DK (serial number #81052 - Quick-build) made it's first flight on August 26, 2001, after two years almost to the day of construction. The plane was great fun to build and even more fun to fly. The engine is a O-360 A1D with a constant speed prop, a Garmin 430 stack, E. I. engine instruments. The plane flies as advertised and is a joy. We made the trip to Oshkosh this year to join the other 200+ RVs that flew in.

David Klages
8 Skysail Drive
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
n180dk_at_aol.com 

#53

Kevin Belue - KBelue_at_PEI-IDT.com
RV-6A N97KB
Standard Kit
Built in Athens,AL
Owner/Builder: Kevin Belue
Build Time: 5yrs. / 1500 hrs.
DAR: John Burgin
Mentors/helpers: Alex Sloan, Billy Baggett, Sam Buchanan
Transition Training: Clyde Schnars - Gwinnett Co.,GA
First Flight: 2/16/02
Painted by: Mike Taylor, Razor's Edge - Bessemer,AL

#52

Bob_Cutting_at_toyota.ca 
I have completed and flown (Dec 22nd 2002) my RV9A (C-FRVC) at Boundary Bay Airport just outside of Vancouver BC. This is the first 9 to fly with the 0-290 D2 engine of 140HP I previously built an RV6A which had the 0-320. The 9 is fabulous, it is a different aeroplane to the the 6, climbs better, (1500 fpm/2300/rpm 105ias) lands slower, has much better vis over the nose, and appears to cruise only slightly slower than my 6, and all this on less HP. I hope to save at least 15% on fuel, and the way fuel prices are going in Canada, that's a big consideration. 
Regards.
Bob 

Due to disk space issues I had to delete some files....if what you are looking for isn't here, I'm sorry.  dgr