AURORA, OREGON – For days, the employees at Van’s Aircraft had been watching the ‘hobbs meter” on their own website, waiting for news of the 1,000th RV-9/9A to fly. Then on November 20, 2015, John “Bert” Bertucci of Prairieville, Louisiana, called with news that he had flown his new RV-9A.
“I have always wanted a plane of my own, so in June 2013, I purchased an unfinished RV-9A as a retirement project,” said Bertucci. “I closed in my carport and went to work” with the help of Don Broussard, an A&P/IA and professional pilot, who was Bertucci’s mentor. Broussard made the first flight, and there have been no issues.
Dick VanGrunsven, designer of the RV series, was similarly delighted.
“We’ve always known the RV-9 is an excellent airplane and have enjoyed flying it all over the country,” said VanGrunsven. “It’s nice to see that 1,000 pilots have shared the pleasure.”
Van’s Aircraft is aware of 9,250 RVs that have flown, but believe that the real number is higher. The RV-9/9A is the fifth RV design to exceed 1,000 completions.
