Ron's RV7 Factory: RV-1 Visit HOBBS 1287.0 hrs

Ron's RV7 Aircraft Factory

Welcome to my personal blog. This site was created as an informal description of my build progress in the construction of a Van's RV7 aircraft. A place where family/friends/builders/curiosity seekers can follow along. It is not intended to be a detailed description of every step in the building process as that would be much too time consuming. There are plenty of sites that do a great job in that arena, that is not my intention with this site. My intention is for this to be a philisophical/motivational/inspirational account of the emotional ups and downs of the life changing journey...and it will change your life. I hope this will give you an idea, through my eyes, of what its like to make this transformation. A note to other builders, I am not an expert so do not put your safety at risk by attempting anything you see on this site until you have done your own research, or send me an email so we can discuss it. Any deviations from the plans are not approved, nor endorsed by Van's Aircraft or myself. Thanks for visiting.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

RV-1 Visit HOBBS 1287.0 hrs

Ah, the airplane that started the "revolution" that is RV building and flying! This is the child that spawned the great line of Van's aircraft that exist today. Its simply known as the RV-1. Everything in the RV line has a direct lineage to this airplane. The RV-1 is a "single example of a Stits SA-3 Playboy built by VanGrunsven in 1965 and modified with a 125 hp (93 kW) Lycoming engine, larger tail, modified cowling, modified fuselage and a custom wing" [wikipedia].

The RV-1 has been restored to flying status by a group of builders and sponsors called "Friends of the RV-1". It is making a nationwide barnstorming tour this summer, culminating in Oshkosh for AirVenture 2012 and the 35th anniversary celebration of Van's aircraft. It will then be enshrined in the EAA museum.

We were lucky enough to have it make an overnight stop here in the Denver metro area, before continuing its journey. It will head west from here to the factory and a west coast tour before then turning east to Oshkosh at the end of July. Jim Gray, and his award winning RV8, hosted this event at his beautiful hangar at KBJC. Thanks to Jim, Sean Thomas and everyone involved for the food/beer/pop and conversation, it was a nice gathering of RV folks.

What's cooler than an event that you can fly your airplane to?? Uh..nothing.

Yes, a 6'3" guy can fit into the RV-1, as Scott Taylor demonstrates! Closing the canopy and actually flying the thing would be a different story however. :)