Facebook Twitter Youtube

Newsline

Continue to the category

Replacing Studs When Switching to P-Mags

Paul Dye -
Switching to P-Mags? Here's how to easily replace overly long engine studs when removing impulse coupler spacers for electronic ignition upgrades.

Dynon Acquires Trig Avionics, Expands Product Portfolio

Omar Filipovic -
Dynon adds Trig Avionics to its group of companies, deepening a long-standing partnership and expanding its lineup of integrated avionics.

CubCrafters NXCub Goes to Nevada

Omar Filipovic -
Paul Dye begins an extended review of the CubCrafters NXCub—nosewheel and all—at home in Nevada.

The Canopy Takes Shape—Spring Boost for the F1 Rocket Project

Paul Dye -
Progress on the F1 Rocket project accelerates as warm weather enables critical canopy and gear leg work.

Postcards from SnF: STOL Demo

Steve Ashby -
STOL pilots gather on the event grounds to demonstrate their impressive takeoff and spot-landing skills.

Pilgrimage to Paradise City

Steve Ashby -
Paradise City is where aviation’s free spirits gather for fun, flight, and a whiff of nostalgia.

Video Series

Magazine

Continue to the category
Exploring

Building for IFR: Do You Really Need It?

Paul Dye -
4
Exploring

AI Amuses, But It Can’t Replace Aviation Experts

Marc Cook -
2
Exploring

Tools and Shop Organization: When It’s Time to Start

Vic Syracuse -
0
Shop Talk

Denso Alternator Homemade Adaptation

Troy Zawlacki -
2
Exploring

Putting Off the Tailwheel Spring Repair

Tom Wilson -
0
Shop Talk

Modifying a Pitot Mast

Bob Hadley -
0
Exploring

Running With Scissors

Lisa Turner -
0
Designer's Notebook

Build, Test, Refine and Fix—Part 3: High-Speed Taxi Testing

Barnaby Wainfan -
2
Shop Talk

(Almost) Wordless Workshop

Kerry Fores -
1
Shop Talk

Check the Sump Screen

Vic Syracuse -
1
Shop Talk

3D Printer Assisted Building

Eric Stewart -
3
Exploring

The Value of a Mentor, and Mentoring

Jon Croke -
0
Builder Spotlight

Eating the Elephant—Part 2

Paul Dye -
1
Kit Bits

Dyke Delta

Ron Wanttaja -
0
Builder Spotlight

Second Chance Six

Tenley Ong -
0

Flight Reviews

Continue to the category

Risen — The Master of Efficiency

Marc Cook -
It is crazy fast for the horsepower!

ScaleBirds P-36 Hawk

Paul Dye -
ScaleBirds, a newcomer to the kit manufacturing scene, chose to start their line of replica fighters with one of the first all-metal U.S. military pursuit ships of WW-II—the P-36.

Kitfox Speedster 916

Marc Cook -
The feistiest Kitfox gets feistier yet.

Sling Shot

Paul Dye -
Rotax’s 916 enlivens Sling’s four-seaters.

Nothing Small About This Amphibian

Tom Wilson -
The Gweduck is a hero-class Experimental amphibian aircraft three decades in the making.

On the Nose!

Paul Dye -
Lockwood’s Rotax-powered RV-9A is more than just fancy rhinoplasty.

Builder Spotlight

Continue to the category

Eating the Elephant—Part 2

Paul Dye -
One step forward, two steps back

Second Chance Six

Tenley Ong -
Part 14: To fix or not to fix?

Final Flight

Scott Brumbelow -
The rest of the story.

The Baby Lakes is Small-Scale Fun

Jonathan & Julia Apfelbaum -
Tiny but mighty, the Baby Lakes still impresses.

Building the 750SD XTREME: Part 15

Jon Humberd -
Why is this airplane xtreme?

Something to Crow About

Paul Dye -
A visit to see how Crow builds harnesses.

James Aircraft’s State of the Art

Mark Timney -
Under new ownership, James Aircraft continues to support RV builders

Eating the Elephant

Paul Dye -
One person can’t imagine eating a whole elephant. It’s simply impossible. But the answer to the idiomatic question remains: one bite at a time!

Shop Talk

Replacing Studs When Switching to P-Mags

Paul Dye -
Switching to P-Mags? Here's how to easily replace overly long engine studs when removing impulse coupler spacers for electronic ignition upgrades.

Oil Filter Testing

Dan Horton -
Some aviation oil filters fall short of efficiency standards, but still protect engines—barely. Understand what yours really does.

Denso Alternator Homemade Adaptation

Troy Zawlacki -
Swapping a Denso alternator into a Lycoming engine? Here’s how one builder tackled pulley design for optimal reliability.

Modifying a Pitot Mast

Bob Hadley -
Drilling a Piper pitot mast for heat proves trickier than expected—alignment is critical to avoid ruining the part.

(Almost) Wordless Workshop

Kerry Fores -
Project steps rarely go in order. These illustrated tips might save you time—and frustration—when things don’t go as planned.

Check the Sump Screen

Vic Syracuse -
It is important to check the oil sump screen for contaminants at least once per year.

Exploring

Continue to the category

Wheeler Express—Yesteryear’s Homebuilts

Ron Wanttaja -
The Wheeler Express dazzled with sleek performance and bold promises but ultimately struggled with stability issues and company misfortunes.

Medical Or No—You Could Still Fly

Jon Croke -
Three ways to meet FAA medical requirements—BasicMed, Sport Pilot and more—could help you get back in the air. Here's what pilots need to know.

Building for IFR: Do You Really Need It?

Paul Dye -
Thinking about building an IFR-capable homebuilt? Consider whether you’ll really use it—or just spend extra money.

AI Amuses, But It Can’t Replace Aviation Experts

Marc Cook -
AI can't replace real aviation expertise—building safe aircraft requires hands-on knowledge, experience, and a well-calibrated BS meter.

Tools and Shop Organization: When It’s Time to Start

Vic Syracuse -
Organization, smart tool planning and connecting with local builders are essential first steps to a successful aircraft building project.

Putting Off the Tailwheel Spring Repair

Tom Wilson -
After decades of delay, a cracked tailwheel spring finally forces long-overdue upgrades on a well-worn Starduster Too.

Products

Holy Micro’s Absolute AoA: Next-Level Angle of Attack Sensing for GA Pilots

Mark Timney -
Advanced new AoA system from Holy Micro debuts at Sun ’n Fun 2025 with radar and LiDAR altimeters in tow.

Innovation Showcase Highlights New HUD Helmet and Visual Traffic Alert System

Mark Timney -
New tech at Sun ’n Fun includes a HUD helmet and a visual traffic alert system for general aviation pilots.

Pure Medical Brings New Oxygen Solution to Aircraft

Steve Ashby -
Pure Medical adapts the Inogen Rove 6 for aircraft, delivering tank-free oxygen to homebuilders at Sun ’n Fun.

Radiant Technology Unveils Taxi Camera

Cayla McLeod -
A flush camera and accompanying 7-inch LCD display grants tailwheel pilots forward visibility while taxiing.

EFIS Roundup 2024

Marc Cook -
Big screens available now.

DuraWear and UltraWear Brake Discs From Matco

Jonathan & Julia Apfelbaum -
Matco presented new DuraWear and UltraWear components which provide an upgrade to their standard brake discs and pads while maintaining the same pricing.

Sign up to receive a weekly email update from KITPLANES Magazine with news stories and feature articles inluding our Homebuilder's Portal.

Sign Up

Subscribe to get access to our Aircraft Buyer's Guide!

Get Access

Download Digital Issues

Follow Us

7,946FansLike
1,052FollowersFollow
5,930SubscribersSubscribe

In Case You Missed It

repetition

Repetition

Paul Dye - 0
Repetition is a big part of building an airplane. Fortunately, for many builders, it is also good for the soul.
weight balance 1 02 2000

Calculating Weight and Balance

Kitplanes - 0
Tackling weight-and-balance calculations is a task we have all faced with some trepidation, but...
inogen 594

Product Review: Inogen Aviator

Marc Cook - 0
Marc Cook flies with the new Inogen oxygen system for aviation and offers a clear-headed appraisal of the systems benefits.
maxresdefault

Metal Magic: Cutting Round Instrument Holes

Kitplanes - 3
KITPLANES editor at large Paul Dye continues the Metal Magic series with a tutorial...
maintenance matters 095 1

Maintenance Matters

Dave Prizio - 1
Spark plugs-A window into how your engine is running.
© 2025 Firecrown Media Inc. All rights reserved. ® KITPLANES is a registered trademark of Firecrown Media Inc.