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RV-12 First Flights: Photo Album

After working for almost a month, got the airworthiness inspection completed today
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first landing

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I finally got a good speed test on "Sweetie" N412BR.
Prop adjusted to Static WOT 4950 RPM
Altitude 5500 OAT 11 Density altitude 6100
5470 RPM
118 knots TAS NO WHEEL PANTS ARE YET INSTALLED!

Did an out-and back lunch trip for speed and fuel use measurements.
2 Hours Hobbs time, 2 takeoffs, 2 landings.
All cruise at about 5450 rpm.
Total Fuel burn 9.4 gallons or 4.7 GPH for a 1 hour trip with 1 t/o and landing and high cruise setting in between.
SWEET! Gonna add the wheel pants next.
 
N328KL FLIES !!!

Around 3PM on 7/21/12, N328KL flew for the 1st time...80-825 hrs on the build meter and 2.5 years of work (includes wait time on skyview). Waited the low ceilings off early and by 3 had 4,000' to play with. Flew great, need a minor adjustment to the flaperons for a heavy "left wing", rudder was center and yes, did float a bit on the landing. looking forward to flight #2.

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Congrats!

It's been a long time coming! I'm still working on my stabilator. Maybe I can talk you into taking me for a ride one of these days.
 
11 months later

Thought I should officially post under first flights.
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1st flt1.JPG

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Thanks to everyone on the forum and Doug for making this site great. VAF has been a wealth of information and motivation to finish my 12.

Also John I appreciate all of your help dialing in the plane during the flight testing.
 
15 New Flights Posted!

Folks,

Fifteen new First Flights have just been posted to "RV-12 First Flights: Photo Album". Congratulations to all!

#113 Bill Hollifield 12 Apr 12
#114 Jack & Jon Rea 12 Apr 12
#115 Jeff Wilde 27 Apr 12
#116 Mark Homewith 6 May 12
#117 Volker Koenig 25 May 12
#118 Richard Healey 7 Jun 12
#119 Alberto Barba 16 Jun 12
#120 Bill Totty 29 Jun 12
#121 Alan Smith 4 Jul 12
#122 Sonny Martin 6 Jul 12
#123 Bob Kelly 16 Jul 12
#124 Kyle Lewis 21 Jul 12
#125 Ray Smart 1 Aug 12
#126 Harold Knepper 1 Aug 12
#127 David Valcik 30 Aug 12

There are some really interesting innovations in this group. And great paint jobs!

Don
 
Folks,

Fifteen new First Flights have just been posted to "RV-12 First Flights: Photo Album". Congratulations to all!

#113 Bill Hollifield 12 Apr 12
#114 Jack & Jon Rea 12 Apr 12
#115 Jeff Wilde 27 Apr 12
#116 Mark Homewith 6 May 12
#117 Volker Koenig 25 May 12
#118 Richard Healey 7 Jun 12
#119 Alberto Barba 16 Jun 12
#120 Bill Totty 29 Jun 12
#121 Alan Smith 4 Jul 12
#122 Sonny Martin 6 Jul 12
#123 Bob Kelly 16 Jul 12
#124 Kyle Lewis 21 Jul 12
#125 Ray Smart 1 Aug 12
#126 Harold Knepper 1 Aug 12
#127 David Valcik 30 Aug 12

There are some really interesting innovations in this group. And great paint jobs!

Don

Don thanks for keeping up with the flying RV12?s. Congratulations to everyone on the list. I am honored to be in such good company.

I have a few questions on number of 12?s, but will start a new thread for this.

Thanks again Don
 
Number of RV-12s Flying

Don thanks for keeping up with the flying RV12?s. Congratulations to everyone on the list. I am honored to be in such good company.

I have a few questions on number of 12?s, but will start a new thread for this.

Thanks again Don

You're welcome, Dave! Looking forward to your questions on the number of 12's. I have a few questions myself.

Don
 
After Sweetie's 1st flight on 4-12-12, I notified Vans and was told that she was the 156th flying RV-12 that they knew of. (Vans may not get notifications by everyone.) There are 14 more listed in the above post, so at least 170 have flown based on that.
 
128th First Flight added to Album

Folks,

I've just added Oren Heathwole's RV-12 to the RV-12 Album of First Flights. He used a Jab 3300 engine and installed fuel tanks in the wings! He has been entered as the "123rd RV-12 added to Album", as his test pilot, Andy Hostetler, first flew on 11 Jul 2012. The RV-12s that followed that date have been moved down one number.

I changed the caption from "123rd RV-12 to Fly" to "123rd RV-12 added to Album". The "to Fly" implies that this RV-12 was exactly the 123rd built to first fly, which we all know is not accurate. I have not known accurate first flight numbers after the first few RV-12s in the Photo Album.

Don
 
Two more 1st Flight Photos added

Folks,

We have two new 1st Flight photos:

#129 Jorge Diaz-Silveira 23Sep12 SN 120271 of Homestead, Fl
#130 John Holmgreen 25Sep12 SN 120604 of Osseo, WI

Congratulations, Jorge and John!

Don
 
Congratulations Dave, I and others have been sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for the big moment! So happy to know you conquered the beast.
 
Way to go!!

Congrats Dave!!!, nice to see another RV flying in central Ohio. If you can, fly up to DLZ tomorrow 10:00AM, we are having an RV10 wing install party!!
 
N470MB First Flight 10-Mar-2013

First flight of N470MB was performed by Test Pilot Dave12.
Dave reported slight left wing heavy, high idle which made landing a little more interesting. Also reported low static rpm.
Thank you Dave.
See short First Flight Video

I would like to thank:
- My EAA TA Laslo
- EAA Chapter 1250, in particular Al, Mark, Dave (Dvalcik).
- Jetguy for the great Transition training and Bi-annual review in Dallas that prepared me for this first flight
- Our Painter Jim
And a special thanks to Dave S for all the sparkle and shine work he did for us.

We went on that day and lowered the idle and performed the First set of tests outlined in Van's Production Acceptance Procedures.
I have the RV GRIN :D

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Congratulations!

I was planning to attend the FF Ceremony but my RV12 buddy was away. Plus three RVs from New England blocked my taxiway :D Congratulations! What a beautiful bird.
 
Mark (AKA Darryl) nice job. Sorry I couldn't fly chase yesterday. She looks good in the Air!!!!!!!!!!!

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N73HR (120332) First flight 25 March 2013

Rob and Haruko Reese's RV-12, N73HR, S/N 120332, had its first flight yesterday, March 25th, 2013 out of the Georgetown, Texas airport (KGTU) . My favorite wife Haruko's favorite official transition training pilot, John Albury (JetGuy ) did first flight honors, with his co-conspirator Colin Richardson (RDOG) in the chase plane, N1212K, with Haruko riding shotgun. It was flying so nicely that John's 30-minute first flight extended to about two hours. A delightful 3 years, 1 month build time (mostly Saturdays--I'm still gainfully over-employed), with advice and consent from EAA Chapter 187 Tech Counselors Deene Ogden and Seth Hancock.

This was the 232nd RV-12 reported to Van's to be flying.

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New photo for 13 Nov 10 1st flt

John Russell sent me a photo of his beautiful new paint job. It is now live in the Photo Album. N33EV 1st Flt: 13 Nov 2010

Don
 
"really good day"

I opened my email this morning and found an email from Bob Bogash "I think I'm going to try and fly 737G today.........".
"OK," I replied, "I'll be there today."
At the airport, I detected a bit of apprehension, Bob was saying it had been months since his transition training, so I suggested we make a few circuits in the pattern in my -12 and burnish the rust off. The airport was busy but we were able to review RV-12 airspeeds, takeoff and landing techniques. Bob was doing fine, not polished but OK. We stopped for lunch and debriefing in the hangar and then a few more circuits. By that time Bob felt good and wanted to get up on that pony while the everything was fresh.

Off he went....and taxiing back from 1st flight, I see a thumbs up, a good sign things went well:
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Did the first flight hisself, looks happy :):
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After dinner I found an email from Bob: "good day today, Tonio - really good day".

That's what we say when the day goes well, I can't repeat what we say when they don't go well ;).

Tony
 
Last year, Felix Hernandez, the Seattle Mariner's Ace pitcher, threw a Perfect Game. After the game, he gave John Jaso, his catcher, a Gold and Silver engraved Rolex watch. Worth more than an RV-12!

Hey - Tonio - don't expect a Rolex. But - I know - and YOU know - I couldn't have done it without you........

However, I AM ordering a Timex in appreciation.......

Bob Bogash
N737G
Airworthy
Flying

Yee-Haw!!!!!!!!
 
I am so happy for you Bob, congratulations on the great accomplishment of building and flying your very own plane! I hope to join your ranks someday myself!
 
New photo for 11/22/2011 1st Flight

Folks:

I just replaced the RV-12 drawing with a photo of Rick Morse's RV-12. (Find his plane by First Flight DATE: 11/22/2011)
Thanks for sending it, Rick!

Don
 
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New RV-12 Photos Added

Folks,

I have finally managed to insert 9 photos of First Flights that happened before the last posting to the Photo Album.

It has been necessary to change the captions from "89th RV-12 to Fly" to "05/23/2011 First Flight" (for example). It has become too difficult to change all the numbers below the inserted photo every time a photo had to be inserted in the middle of the Photo Album.

Sorry for this change. I really liked the numbers, even though we all know they were inaccurate.

So, for future postings to the Photo Album, please find the RV-12 you want to view by DATE of First Flight.

The 9 photos inserted are:

05/23/2011 Gerald Banak
10/29/2011 Karl Mayer
03/05/2012 Rich Schaller
04/06/2012 Mark Fabiano
05/29/2012 Bob Browning
05/29/2012 Peter van den Heuvel
06/30/2012 Larry Hutchinson
08/19/2012 Charles McKinny
09/18/2012 Dick Richardson

I have many more RV-12s to add. SOON.

Don
 
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13 More RV-12 First Flights added to Photo Album

Folks,

I have 13 new RV-12 First Flights just added to the RV-12 Photo Album.
They are:

10/10/2012 Rafael Lopez
10/15/2012 Derald Graybill
10/21/2012 Craig Tempelton
10/22/2012 Norm Hendersin
11/19/2012 Joe Singleton
11/26/2012 Stan Sapkos
12/03/2012 Marshall Froland
01/05/2013 Pat Finucane
01/22/2013 Walt Niemeyer
02/06/2013 Dave Gamble
03/10/2013 Mark Bischoff
03/25/2013 Bob Reese
04/03/2013 Bob Bogash

There are some great RV-12's in this group! Find them at the end of the Photo Album, in order of First Flight DATE.

I have a "New Year's Resolution", starting a little late in the year, to keep up with these new flights in the timely fashion I used to do 2 years ago. These builders of new RV-12's deserve no less. They are my heros, my inspiration as I struggle with my own build.

Don
 
Folks,

I just posted two photos of Oren Heatwole's RV-12, N330JA SN 120228.
It has a Jab 3300 engine and fuel tanks in the wings.
His RV-12 has been awarded "Grand Champion Light Sport" at the 2013 SUN 'n FUN!

Thanks to all who helped me find his photos.

You can find the photos at "07/11/2012 First Flight" in the Photo Album.

Don
 
12/21/2012 First Flight

Folks,

Jessie Juarros has just published his first flight photos and info on Van"s Web site:

12/21/2012 First Flight N355EJ SN 120454.

His second photo clearly displays his "RV Grin"!

I have posted these photos of his beautiful RV-12 and his grin. Find them by First Flight DATE.

Don
 
New photos of RV-12 w/ Jab 3300 & wing tanks

Folks,

Just added two new photos of Oren heatwole's RV-12:

07/11/2012 First Flight N330JA SN 120228
GRT Avionics & Left / Right fuel tank valve on floor (confirmed).

(Posted by joedallas in "Jab 3300 RV-12 at Sun 'n Fun" #16)


Don
 
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New photo 10/14/2011 1st Flt - Jerry Parr

Folks,

Just posted photo of Jerry Parr's newly painted RV-12:

10/14/2011 First Flight G-TWLV. High Wycome, UK
Ref: "G-TWLV Gets Some Paint" #1 by "aerofurb" (Jerry Parr)

Find his plane by DATE.

Don
 
Thanks, Don, for posting the painted picture.

'LV actually came out of the paint shop 12 months ago but the thread has reappeared after Joeri blatantly stole the design..... :D
 
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