Second longest relationship next to my wife

[Saber25]

I celebrated the first day of 2025 by my customary tradition of flying my 36-year young RV4. The only time this tradition couldn't be accomplished was if the weather prevented a flight or if I was on a trip in the left seat of a Boeing. The sky was all mine here in Southern Colorado with a crystal-clear blue sky. The surface winds were light out of the East and the cool temperature added to a brisk climb despite our field elevation. The transition from being an RV4 aviator to a Spitfire fighter pilot starts soon after liftoff. Miss Fusion has the lightest controls and most responsive of any RV's I've flown including the 3. My Pitts S1S is a close second for light controls and great response but it rarely departs the immediate area.

I had planned on a flight to the top of Pikes Peak where on occasion, I put on a short demonstration, with smoke. The acro ability of this flying carpet even at 14000+ is amazing, but turbulence today precluded that as I needed to stay below VA. So, while looking for smooth air and not finding any, I concluded my flight after only 20 minutes while having maintained the tradition she is accustomed to. Hey, we have 364 more days to find smooth air. Thanks, Van, for providing this old guy the elixir to keep coming back for more.

Cheers, Hans "Cobra" Miesler

 

[rag]

Totally Agree! I am also approaching 36 years with my RV4 (approaching 53 years married to my wife). The RV4 sits quietly in the hangar/shop just on the other side of our kitchen door, ready to fly. It is truly a magic carpet; I am so happy that I chose to build this airplane back in 1986. I smile every time I get in it. We have travelled all over the United States multiple times in it. It has allowed us to truly appreciate the beauty and freedoms this country offers and develop an appreciation for the sacrifices others have made to allow me to have a most fantastic life. Build on all you builders!! Happy New Year!!

 

[Saber25]

Totally Agree! I am also approaching 36 years with my RV4 (approaching 53 years married to my wife). The RV4 sits quietly in the hangar/shop just on the other side of our kitchen door, ready to fly. It is truly a magic carpet; I am so happy that I chose to build this airplane back in 1986. I smile every time I get in it. We have travelled all over the United States multiple times in it. It has allowed us to truly appreciate the beauty and freedoms this country offers and develop an appreciation for the sacrifices others have made to allow me to have a most fantastic life. Build on all you builders!! Happy New Year!!

 

[Saber25]

Our timeline sounds familiar as I too started my build in '86 and completed in 89. Also, we were married for 53 years until my wife's passing and she spent many hours happily enjoying the view out either side of the plane. I'm glad to find another builder/aviator with his original build and wife. My congratulations.

 

[fixnflyguy]

I started my RV-4 build in '93, on the long slow build program, flew in 2010. My then fiancé was first passenger at 40.1 on the Hobbs. She whole heartedly accepted my proposal to use the RV-4 (Casper) as the wedding stage, and we did our vows at 5280 MSL in formation of 5 over the radio at our Home airfield 8A7 ...The RV-4 will be with us forever ! Great to have these machines and wives that love them too!

 

[Jvon811]

Hans,

I still need to make a trip out your direction and meet you! I'm not an original builder, so I can't ever claim that credibility. But I have smashed a few rivets, lay some fiberglass, and turned a lot of wrenches in an effort to repair, replace, and modify to make N249P the perfect magic carpet for me.

2025 will make 8 years of ownership for me. I'm the second owner of N249P and I'll easily be ticking over the 1000 hours PIC in my RV-4 milestone here very shortly. My light weight, fixed pitch, short gear, and manual flaps still makes for most fun out of any of the 51 aircraft types in my logbook. I look to enjoy many more XC trips, gentleman's aerobatics, and formation flights with friends in the next year.

Y'all who built these airplanes many years ago carved a very honored path. I currently have a mostly un-started RV-4 kit sitting in my hangar, sitting next to my flying airplane. Maybe I'll build another one of these magnificent machines and try to do better than the builder of my airplane (doubtful)... Maybe it'll become a Rocket... I'm not sure yet. But I do enjoy posts and stories like yours and the others who went and built these airplanes before resources like VAF or Facebook. I don't think I'd even know where to start without these oases of RV folklore.

Anyways, love to hear that you still have the love for your RV-4 after 36 years. My goal is to be like that after I get done flying in the left seat of a Boeing for a living.

 

[springer]

Hans,

I still need to make a trip out your direction and meet you! I'm not an original builder, so I can't ever claim that credibility. But I have smashed a few rivets, lay some fiberglass, and turned a lot of wrenches in an effort to repair, replace, and modify to make N249P the perfect magic carpet for me.

2025 will make 8 years of ownership for me. I'm the second owner of N249P and I'll easily be ticking over the 1000 hours PIC in my RV-4 milestone here very shortly. My light weight, fixed pitch, short gear, and manual flaps still makes for most fun out of any of the 51 aircraft types in my logbook. I look to enjoy many more XC trips, gentleman's aerobatics, and formation flights with friends in the next year.

Y'all who built these airplanes many years ago carved a very honored path. I currently have a mostly un-started RV-4 kit sitting in my hangar, sitting next to my flying airplane. Maybe I'll build another one of these magnificent machines and try to do better than the builder of my airplane (doubtful)... Maybe it'll become a Rocket... I'm not sure yet. But I do enjoy posts and stories like yours and the others who went and built these airplanes before resources like VAF or Facebook. I don't think I'd even know where to start without these oases of RV folklore.

Anyways, love to hear that you still have the love for your RV-4 after 36 years. My goal is to be like that after I get done flying in the left seat of a Boeing for a living.

I see you are still using a Bernie Warnke prop after all these years. I used to test fly his props for him in my RV-4 that I completed in '88. He passed away from cancer quite a few years ago. Great gentleman. I have no idea where my -4 is. I see it has been delisted.

 

[Saber25]

Hans,

I still need to make a trip out your direction and meet you! I'm not an original builder, so I can't ever claim that credibility. But I have smashed a few rivets, lay some fiberglass, and turned a lot of wrenches in an effort to repair, replace, and modify to make N249P the perfect magic carpet for me.

2025 will make 8 years of ownership for me. I'm the second owner of N249P and I'll easily be ticking over the 1000 hours PIC in my RV-4 milestone here very shortly. My light weight, fixed pitch, short gear, and manual flaps still makes for most fun out of any of the 51 aircraft types in my logbook. I look to enjoy many more XC trips, gentleman's aerobatics, and formation flights with friends in the next year.

Y'all who built these airplanes many years ago carved a very honored path. I currently have a mostly un-started RV-4 kit sitting in my hangar, sitting next to my flying airplane. Maybe I'll build another one of these magnificent machines and try to do better than the builder of my airplane (doubtful)... Maybe it'll become a Rocket... I'm not sure yet. But I do enjoy posts and stories like yours and the others who went and built these airplanes before resources like VAF or Facebook. I don't think I'd even know where to start without these oases of RV folklore.

Anyways, love to hear that you still have the love for your RV-4 after 36 years. My goal is to be like that after I get done flying in the left seat of a Boeing for a living.

 

[Saber25]

Hans,

I still need to make a trip out your direction and meet you! I'm not an original builder, so I can't ever claim that credibility. But I have smashed a few rivets, lay some fiberglass, and turned a lot of wrenches in an effort to repair, replace, and modify to make N249P the perfect magic carpet for me.

2025 will make 8 years of ownership for me. I'm the second owner of N249P and I'll easily be ticking over the 1000 hours PIC in my RV-4 milestone here very shortly. My light weight, fixed pitch, short gear, and manual flaps still makes for most fun out of any of the 51 aircraft types in my logbook. I look to enjoy many more XC trips, gentleman's aerobatics, and formation flights with friends in the next year.

Y'all who built these airplanes many years ago carved a very honored path. I currently have a mostly un-started RV-4 kit sitting in my hangar, sitting next to my flying airplane. Maybe I'll build another one of these magnificent machines and try to do better than the builder of my airplane (doubtful)... Maybe it'll become a Rocket... I'm not sure yet. But I do enjoy posts and stories like yours and the others who went and built these airplanes before resources like VAF or Facebook. I don't think I'd even know where to start without these oases of RV folklore.

Anyways, love to hear that you still have the love for your RV-4 after 36 years. My goal is to be like that after I get done flying in the left seat of a Boeing for a living.

Good to hear from you Justin. Your dad and I have talked about my Laser 200 and his experience owning one. You are welcome to visit me here in Colorado and I have room in the hangar to keep your plane safe. I seldom fly east of I-25 and no farther than I can see the top of Pikes Peak. Congratulations on the best seat in the house while enjoying the Boeing. My favorite was the 727, no stinkeen glass, an aviator's delight!