“That Did Not Go As Planned!” RV-8 First Flight Aborted

We find a problem during the first Test Flight of a newly built Van’s Aircraft RV-8. Proudly associated with ForeFlight: www.foreflight...
We visited Martin in Pontiac, Michigan, who just finished his RV-8 build after 7 long years.
The first test flight did not go as planned! But as test flights are meant to do, it revealed an interesting, yet serious problem with the build that Martin quickly solved, allowing us to resume and complete the test flight program.
Dave is considering taking on more test flying work, for more details reach out to:
[e-mail]
Martin’s new RV-8 has been a 7 year labor of love and the end result is nothing short of spectacular. He also installed Garmin Avionics, which in my opinion offer the best toolset possible, especially when combined with ForeFlight.
For more of Martin’s story, check out his KZbin channel:
/ goatflieg
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FLIGHT CHOPS DISCLAIMER:
I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share. Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.
Visit www.FlightChop... for behind-the-scenes content, epic giveaways and to search episodes by aircraft type!

[@yzaw4411]

The test pilot is an true professional.. His thoroughness in preflight to run up and knowing the proper procedures of test flying is very acceptable to a professional..

[@byromscustomwoodworks]

My father built a RV-8 20+ years ago. I was fortunate to get to fly in it once before he lost his battle with cancer.

[@markarnett6411]

I was very impressed with the professionalism of the test pilot. I'm sure that after a 7-year build, "GO FEVER" would be a difficult emotion to overcome. It is this type of video that separates "Flight Chops" from many others of a similar kind.

[@thehoeser]

I really appreciate that feedback. Thank you.

[@johnritter225]

As an owner of someone else's RV8 build, who took it through Phase 1 without acro, I can attest to the nerves in trying something aggressive for the first time. Nothing but respect for those professional test guys.

[@blancolirio]

Haa! Steve called it seeing the chafeing! Good job all! Great points about paint and spot landings before OSH!

[@goatflieg]

Juan, it is an honor to have you comment on this video. I hope to include your home field as one of my destinations during my Tour of Gratitude next year. I'll be visiting many significant locations regarding my building process; many places on the west coast including my fledgling airport PAO; LVK; SJC; SQL; AUN and many others. Hope to meet you in person someday.

[@blancolirio]

@@goatflieg Excellent! See ya here! KGOO.

[@danielstover3029]

Very unusual to see a "fully finished" and "fully painted" RV doing it's first flight. In all my years, this is the first time that I have seen this. It really seems strange to me. Best of wishes with the fixes and tweaks. Beautiful RV-8. Always safety first! Thanks for sharing! 🙂👍

[@MyWTFName]

"took 7 years and it's a quick build" - loved that comment :)

[@GaryLaaks1]

I absolutely love the paint on this RV8. Congratulations on the build. There is just something to building your own aircraft / race car / bike etc. I fly RC planes and my fondest planes are the self built ones by far. Again congrats on making Oshkosh this year. Regards from South Africa.

[@goatflieg]

Thank you!

[@GaryMCurran]

Dave, nerves of steel! But, a good test pilot, and I'm glad that Marty was able to get the canopy fixed AND make it to OSH. Great story, Steve, thanks for sharing this, and Marty, thanks for allowing Steve to share it with us!

[@goatflieg]

It was a true honor to have it shared by a good friend.

[@Payne2view]

He certainly went about the testing in a humble and correct way. Getting an expert opinion on a new build is very wise in my opinion. Plus it all worked out for the best in the long run.

[@HorizonsUnlimited]

4:42 Exactly! I got to fly an RV-4 at the EAA in Oshkosh (actually a nearby airport) with Dick VanGrunsven, the designer. What a joy to fly, coming from an ex-flight instructor with thousands of hours in boring Cessna 150s. I got the tail kit, shaped the spars and drilled them, but due to other factors, sold the kit to a local. To me, the RV aircraft with a roughly 4:1 cruise to stall ratio and a simple design, cannot be beat. And I like to sit tandem and roll on the point.

[@BrianJorgensenAbides]

Good on Marty for letting this be a youtube video. But as we know, this is why test pilots exist, and that was so cool to watch the process working

[@CaseyRamo]

Oh man I can’t wait to finish my RV14A. And I’m just waiting on the tail kit. I hope it doesn’t take 7 years. But I’m thrilled to go through the process and meet up with you guys along the way. Currently based at KVLL so I love to hear about other builders so close to me.

[@nickhager626]

When are you expecting your kit? Mine is scheduled for crating in October. I'm near KUES in WI.

[@CaseyRamo]

@@nickhager626 I imagine October. It said 4 months when I ordered at the end of last month. Not sure if there’s any way to get an up to date timeline. 🤞

[@stonebear]

So this is the one y'all consulted with Elliot on! Very, very cool. Love the solution to the canopy buzz - it'll also make it warmer in the winter! And Martin, if you're watching this, you're no idiot, you're very, very meticulous; it shows in the quality of the finished product. (Who the heck gets aileron rigging spot on the first time?!?! )

[@goatflieg]

Thanks. It's always good to hear that.

[@tk27a]

This is quite interesting not only to have Dave's experience and comments but also all these video footages with sound. Great team work! And kudo for the transparency of this first flight.

[@aaronbarnhard8668]

Congratulations Martin, the plane looks great! Nice, professional job (as always) with the test flight, Dave. Another great video, Steve.

[@ryanverplank8212]

Everyday is a opportunity to learn more! Rarely does is go off perfect this 1st time out of the gate. Glad everyone is safe.

[@regressmenot]

Wow! The paint job on your RV-14 is stunning. 18:42 Hope you do a video about the paint process and how you went about choosing the livery and color scheme.

[@jakk222rem]

This is neet. I worked for the company that powdercoated the frame parts. I've been to their factory in Wilsonville hundreds of times but never got to go inside one of their aircraft. Thanks for the check flight.

[@mikercflyer7383]

Great video Steve. It must give your heart a little boost feeling those vibrations thank goodness it was only the canopy. A great feeling being able to show off your baby at Oshkosh.

[@SuperAero]

Really enjoyed this one dudes - really fun to see. Love the RV-8!

[@bigmikeh]

Nice job, gorgeous plane. Love the careful step-by-step approach, treat new planes with respect no matter what the history of other builds is. Hope to see it in person one day!

[@jkingsley5671]

Great video work as usual FlightChops! Perfect editing…just the right amount of technical content mixed with good ole flying. Congrats Marty and great job Dave!

[@FlightChops]

Much appreciated feedback on the post production!

[@mikekelly7862]

7:06 - Martin has an awesome drum kit as well as an awesome plane! Nicko McBrain would be proud. Terrific content; these build/test process videos are so enlightening. Hope to see more!

[@ronarmitagejr8758]

Flight of Icarus

[@1hornet1]

Love this video. Thanks to all for sharing. I got chills watching him lift off for it's very first flight. I am so pumped to start my 8's empennage kit this month. Also ordering my wing kit Monday and remaining tools tonight.

[@ludvikblondal9885]

Very good coverage...plan the flight..fly the plan..very professional

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Nice job, Martin! Thing is a beauty! Great job as always by Dave as a top-notch test pilot. Not to take anything away from your always epic videography, editing, and production quality, Steve! High-fives all around! 🙌🍻 👍😎👍

[@jimny4k]

Beautiful workmanship and a thorough and professional approach by all......spot on

[@andrewschmitt2814]

Awesome that you were in my neck of the woods, went for a joyride Saturday in a T6, love your content

[@justinburstein5349]

Really enjoyed this one. The single topic and linear storytelling really made it a fun watch!

[@philipcobbin3172]

Good work....builder of N672PC RV7-A....we had a wicked nasty firewall forward problem....short between starter and fuel servo fitting....replaced two sets of throttle cables....before tracking it down....by hand. Got hit by a car in June 21 final was cadillac 0 RV 1. But juries still out on heavy left wing suggestive of torquing airframe from caddy. Passed eddy current crack inspection on spar attach points in flying colors.

[@goatflieg]

Wow! And I thought my journey was rocky, with a crankshaft recall and a close call with a herd of deer... !

[@LtKernelPanic]

What a beautiful plane! Glad it was something relatively minor that wasn't super hard to fix.

[@RV-NDM]

Love the channel, Chops! This brought back lots of memories, as I bought someone else's build who never did acro, and I've had to be my own test pilot and put it back in Phase 1 for "aggressive" maneuvering. "What the heck was that noise" is right! Oh... and your wife doesn't HAVE to be 1st passenger. Granddaughter is ok...

[@tbone1212]

I had the floor under my feet develop a vibration on my 8 , that was due to impulses from the exhaust pipes, a change in deflection was the fix..I also had a 1.5 inch strip of the fuzzy side of Velcro around the inside of my canopy , might be why I had no vibration of the canopy.

[@imapaine-diaz4451]

Good fix! the Velcro would disturb the laminar airflow under the canopy edge and cancel out the speed induced resonance☺☺

[@unclelar53]

Sweet airplane! Nice work. I actually started an RV-8 about 20 years ago, but never had the funds to get very far with it. Sold off what I had. Eventually had to throw the towel in on flying altogether. It just got too expensive for this blue-collar boy. One of the saddest days of my life. I appreciate your channel.

[@FlightChops]

Ag well - thanks for letting me know you’re enjoying the content in leu of actually flying yourself.

[@goatflieg]

I sympathize. I've had that throwing towel in my back pocket for over seven years now. Even though I'm flying it now, it's still in my back pocket, because I don't know how long I'll be able to keep it due to financial issues. Hanging on as long as I can, and enjoying the time while I still have it.

[@unclelar53]

@@goatflieg Roger that, brother. Good luck.

[@christopherbeddoe406]

First impression. Man Marty's RV8 is BEAUTIFUL.

[@goatflieg]

Thanks! After a while of flying, I'll get the wing tips, wheel pants and intersection fairings finished off, then have the paint cut and buffed. Then it will be quite a bit better!

[@ChrisB257]

Great to see this Steve, beautiful plane - even back when I flew R?C a lot, there's no getting away from maiden flight' 'pucker'' - everything can have been quadruple checked but, still that nerve problem!! I could feel the tension, even with a super experienced test pilot like Dave. Vibration always very concerning... hope the canopy issue can be fixed - obviously a speed related resonance. Glad a fix was implemented quickly and it got to Osh'. (love the look of your '14' now it's in paint :))

[@sir-jj3552]

How can I have an RV8 bias! Probably because we’re building one, nice one Chops. Thanks to all concerned here, especially the troops in the bleaches on the picnic chairs.

[@navinrjohnson5047]

Brings back so many memories. I did my Private training out of that airport. Great video as usual.

[@Mrfishlou]

What a great video! Impressive build, and I loved watching the flight test planning and execution. Very cool!!

[@MikeKobb]

Great video, I really enjoyed it. So it looks like the solution was basically to install a gasket on the canopy so that it seats firmly against the fuselage and can't vibrate. Simple. I hope the paint touch-up wasn't too onerous. Great-looking plane.

[@traviseggl3794]

Nice airplane. Glad he was able to get it sorted out quickly.

[@clarkstonguy1065]

Very nice well produced video, and congratulations to the builder! I learned to fly at KPTK, so this video brings back some pleasant memories. I highly recommend the DCT Aviation flight school on the field. But one of the reasons this is a great airport to train at is because it is so dang busy! If a student pilot can get comfortable flying with all of the traffic that used to be there, pretty much any other airport they go to will seem to be operating at a more relaxed pace. I would have no concerns about making my own first flight, and I would have no concerns flying into KPTK after the fly off. But unless things have slowed down a lot there, I wouldn't be brave enough to do both at once!

[@goatflieg]

Agreed; I got recurrent at DCT before getting glass cockpit time with Crosswinds. Although PTK is my home base now, I learned to fly at the Palo Alto Airport in the S.F. Bay Area. A tiny and very busy airport in very busy airspace is a good place to learn.

[@Aleksandar6ix]

At Waterloo-Wellington flight center, I was flying a DA40 with my instructor and we encountered a loud rattling sound around the pattern at particular power settings. This aircraft was a new plane to the club that just finished a full teardown inspection a couple weeks before the flight. We couldn't find the source of the noise initially, even on the ground, and though the trim seemed to 'get stuck' it had nothing to do with the noise. In fact, on my next flight a week later I did a thorough walkaround and found a flashlight in the wing cavity where the gear strut joins the fuselage. I was rather shocked that of all the pilots who flew it in that time, nobody else reported or found the issue.

[@mayorstoner3459]

Great content (as usual) Steve. Although not as exciting, would love to see the test pilot's walk through procedure before ever getting in the cockpit.

[@shareurtube]

What a great video. Great job Martin it is a beautiful plane. Loved Dave's cool and precise analysis of the vibration. Great job guys.

[@deanmiles3505]

Hi Steve and Dave, That was a great video. Having Dave fly the first flight was definitely the right call. I believe in having a professional test pilot for the first flight. It's a great feeling seeing your plane take to the air for the first time. Steve, you flashed your plane picture too fast...beautiful paint job but I also really liked the polished look. That was a funny name for a plane, it made me laugh. Take care, Be safe.

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed it - Full episode about the paint job an related mission - coming soon

[@jfkastner]

Awesome! Well done, and most important, SAFE!

[@roybertalotto6355]

If I build a Van, I want THAT guy to test fly it!!! Great video.....

[@goatflieg]

Dave Rocks!

[@jmanhuntley]

That is a superbly built lovely aircraft. May you have many many enjoyable and safe hours up and above Sir!

[@goatflieg]

Thanks!

[@codywalz8555]

Thanks for always crushing it with your content!

[@johnrower4297]

loved watching every second of this. well done. My only ask would have been to dive into what the canopy fix turned out to be. Quick shot of it on the ground but i have no idea how he fixed it.

[@goatflieg]

I don't blame you for not scrolling through all the comments to find the answer; I know what that's like. I applied some D-section silicon rubber weatherstripping to the aft edges of the canopy skirt and it cured it completely. You can see a quick glimpse of still photos of the fix near the end of the video.

[@odorizedramblings4660]

Congratulations to Marty! What an amazing accomplishment. I watched him on VAF and can appreciate his build. As for me... my build is on definite hold... Flight Chops you rock brother!!! Keep up the good work and thank you. Hopefully someday I'll join in my Van's 👍until then, I'll be with the Bo's 😎 that's also a great thing 🇺🇸

[@haydenm.3912]

The paint on the RV14 looks amazing!

[@gtr1952]

That was very interesting, and cool!! Congrats to Martin on the build, looks awesome! Elliott is one of my favorite people! We talked here a couple times about flight tests, he's an all around great guy!! "Airplanes are cool"!! 8) --gary

[@goatflieg]

I was really glad to meet Elliot at OSH this year. With the Steve/Dave connection and also having great memories of the Sanders family and getting to ride in formation with Dreadnought, Elliott felt like family. Now I have a Wasabi Flight Test patch for my flight bag!

[@HamishBrown3]

Super interesting video! thankyou for sharing this process.

[@kendall6030]

Great episode! Thank you for bringing us along.

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed it Kendall!

[@CCitis]

I think every single builder regardless of experience should have a test pilot. There is too much emotion and nerves and attachment to make objective decisions in the airplane should something go wrong... even if it all goes right, you may not be paying attention to the correct thing. For example, if you were working on a certain part of the aircraft and had some thoughts on that, your mind will be stuck there when it should be elsewhere. Smart move. Nice airplane.

[@martydalton6943]

Well done Marty. I remember you talking about your build on Wally Andersons course back in 2016? Hope you're enjoying your 8 Mate. I'm now retired and building my RV14 on the Gold Coast in Queensland Oz. Thanks Flight Chops. (The other Marty from Oz)

[@goatflieg]

Good to hear from you again! Good luck on your building journey.

[@hj45lp]

Beautiful plane, beautiful editing! Congratulations to Martin! - How's Elliot, hope he's doing just fine... All the best from Finland! 👍😎

[@FlightChops]

Thanks! Elliot is doing great - I saw him at AirVenture - he’d flown in a cool project based on a hybrid powered Cessna 337. He’s very active on Instagram if you want to see what he’s upto.

[@xptimetraveler5162]

You may have done this and not shown it, but you should box check in both directions in case a linkage or control surface binds as a function of not only position in the box but direction of movement. For instance, a heim joint that rubs a bracket when aileron is at full left deflection and elevator is moved. If you pass it elevator nose down to nose up it is a glancing rub, but from nose up to nose down it meets a lip and is a firm stop.

[@FlightChops]

Thanks for the added insights

[@leekitsonrv8]

Great Video. Congrats Marty and thanks for sharing your story.

[@goatflieg]

Thanks to Steve for giving me such a great chance!

[@jhaedtler]

A lot of canopied planes have this problem. There is a low pressure area there and sometimes the airflow is froward! I would tuft the canopy and film it to see what is happening.

[@MrThuggery]

Great bunch of people in the aviation industry, great vid Chops!

[@freema22]

I was admiring this aircraft at the PTK Open House on August 14th!

[@goatflieg]

Thanks! It was very cool to finally have it on display there.

[@jcmcclain57]

Great post and share... thank you!

[@darktrooper4]

I love the paint of this aircraft. I would like to build an RV-4 at some point in my life.

[@JMOUC265]

Love that paint livery! Even as a Navy vet, I gotta like it. Great choice. Would like to know the details of what solved the vibration problem, just for the edification. Nice video, too. Well done! Steely test pilot!

[@goatflieg]

On the advice of Curt Martin, LongEze builder and dear friend, I used strips of D-section silicon rubber weatherstripping along the aft edges of the canopy skirt. It worked perfectly (see still photo near end of video).

[@JMOUC265]

@@goatflieg Thank you! Glad that it worked well.

[@BigDickMark]

@@goatflieg thanks marty. great build. Does the weather stripping interfere with canopy function/retraction at all?

[@goatflieg]

@@BigDickMark No; it formed to the gaps really well and then held the shape. If the canopy is locked for a long time with temperature changes the weatherstrip can stick just a little bit, but it always comes free without peeling.

[@kevinphillips9408]

Really enjoyed this. Such professionalism of the pilot. Beautiful RV8. Thank you

[@FlightChops]

Much appreciated!

[@speedbird8326]

I have never liked green, but it looks stellar on that aircraft. Beautiful paint job.

[@markd9580]

The words you never want to hear your pilot say, “What the hell was that?”

[@goatflieg]

Tell me about it. It had already been a very stressful morning (learning of death in the family just before Steve and Dave arrived) and to hear "7AR has an unexpected vibration; immediate return" had my heart in my mouth. But all's well that flies well!

[@quinnjim]

Beautiful plane! I am convinced Steve says "PRO-cess" over and over to drive me nuts. 😀

[@FlightChops]

Haha - ok - you're the second person to comment on this - I will do my best to say "Pruhh-cess from now on :)

[@goatflieg]

@@FlightChops I always thought it was a Canadian pronunciation and kinda liked it. Here, it's Prah-cess... but we could be wrong. ;)

[@AnthonyPuca]

Long time viewer, usually on TV so can't comment. Love your channel and learn so much from it that I'm applying to my RV-10 build.

[@FlightChops]

Thanks for dropping into the comments for this one Anthony :)

[@dreamdiction]

Wingspan only 24 feet . . . wow.

[@goatflieg]

My shop was only 25x25; made the initial wing fitting interesting. Especially when I forgot to insert the aileron push tubes inside the wings before fitting. Yes... I had to drill a big hole in my interior wall to get them in. If KZbin would let me post photos, I'd share the meme it generated!

[@bradok3695]

Very cool. Good looking airplane. Thanks for sharing.

[@shoominati23]

I like RV's .. when you see them touching down at the local field - they look like flying lawn ornaments!

[@delukxy]

Beautiful looking plane. A quality build. Should I be concerned about the rather limited leg clearance below the instrument panel? Looked rather close and the owner might be a bit bigger here than the TP.

[@goatflieg]

I had to develop certain methods of getting in and out, but once I'm in the seat I have plenty of room.

[@mikewaterfield3599]

My T neighbor is building an RV10. Can’t wait to see that thing fly.

[@gt40driver1]

Brilliant video. Got to build and RV soon but have a Porsche 908 to build first.

[@NoneNone-gk9wt]

Just put a rubber seat or seal for the canopy

[@goatflieg]

Done.

[@MrPeter924]

Great video great view. Airplanes ✈️ great weather sounds fight great show

[@FentonsHalfAcre]

Great content. And so close to home. I earned my private at Pontiac.

[@MsRandiCook]

Beautiful plane!

[@MaxRunia]

Really really enjoyed this

[@OgamiItto70]

There's always something, it would seem. Great-looking plane. Glad to learn it's been sorted.

[@chrishowe2935]

Great story. 😊

[@helipilotuh1]

I’m glad they did the -15 but I really vans would’ve redone the -8 with the faster build technology because it is such a better looking aircraft.

[@timothyjones7280]

Good work and good job Marty I'm proud of you I wish I could build a airplane like that.

[@danphillips3125]

Very interesting video, Thanks.

[@bobninemire5154]

.....................Your production gets better and better

[@VelosiT]

Excellent video as usual. Out of curiosity, what helmet is Dave wearing in this video? It's gorgeous!

[@lucky_one2]

What an excellent video! Been mulling over building an RV...this may push me over the edge ;-)

[@petervernon2288]

I glued carpet material all around the inside of the fiberglass skirting to stop airdrafts ... never got to fly my plane having to sell it when 90% complete due to life getting in the way 😪. Now registered as VH-YCZ in Australia

[@goatflieg]

I came so close to having to pull the plug several times. I can imagine your grief, but hopefully it helps to know that it flies on the wings of your workmanship.

[@leschortos9196]

Funny i test flew my Long-eze and was not nervous at all. I was having too much fun. I also did some flights in ground effect. Flew it safely for 300+hrs then retired it. Quit flying then. Fun time of my life.

[@heavi-armed-infadel]

Like the bamboo reed of a wind instrument (saxophone, clarinet, oboe, etc.) If you blow hard enough it will vibrate.

[@bwalt6779]

This is familiar. I had 'buzzing' on first flights of tip up canopy of my RV-7. Redid the seal of the front canopy lip to the fuselage and went away, and has stayed good for over 500 hours. Funny how 150 MPH airflow can change things unexpectedly. BTW, I DID paint before first flight.

[@mjhornidge]

1:31 is doing planes as well? I love their GTM.

[@incenius5008]

Went down to OSh for the first time this year, spotted you taking shelter from the heat under Doc's wing in boeing plaza :P

[@TakeVI]

Great flights!

[@justcommenting4981]

Congratulations to the builder even if things weren't to plan.