Randall Brink
Randall Brink began flying before he was in his teens. His first airplane was an Aeronca 7AC. He discovered ultralights and kit planes when they became wildly popular. He has worked in aviation for fifty years and has held positions ranging from aviation gas boy and plane washer to Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Along the way, he served as writer, contributing editor, and editor.
Thorp S-18 Under New Ownership
A Classic Gets New Life and Full-Kit Production
October 2025 marks a revival for one of experimental aviation's true classics—the Thorp S-18—under new ownership and...
SilverLight Aviation Recon Kit
Backcountry Capability Meets Builder-Friendly Design
SilverLight Aviation is setting the homebuilt market abuzz with its Recon Airplane kit, launched nationally at Sun ’n Fun last...
Sonex Highwing Update
Practical Utility Meets Builder Flexibility
Sonex Aircraft’s new Highwing is fast becoming a phenomenon among experimental aviation enthusiasts, blending advanced utility with aerobatic handling and...
Hybrid Power: From Hype to Hardware
The VoltAero HPU 210 is a firewall-forward package that blends a supercharged Kawasaki H2SX-derived engine with a 60-kilowatt electric motor.
Zenith Homecoming 2025: Skills, Shop Tours, and Real-World Builder Knowledge
There are events that entertain, and then there are events that refuel a project.
Builder Demographics Evolve as Participation Patterns Shift
Participation in homebuilding remains strong, but the way people engage with the process is evolving, and so is the character of the community.
A Note From The New Editor
The primary focus of a new editor at a magazine like Kitplanes is where the work happens—not in an office, but in a garage,...
In Case You Missed It
Wind Tunnel
Pilots, especially those in low-powered aircraft, must always know how much energy they have available to maintain flight.
Maintenance Matters
In this new column, Steve Ells shares his background as an A&P mechanic and offers tips on keeping your homebuilt aircraft running smoothly.
DIY Firewall Boots
Need to seal your firewall, reduce carbon monoxide and allow components to move freely? Chuck Dieterich shows you how to make firewall boots.
Down to Earth
Amy Laboda chronicles the challenges she encountered when trying to get the ECI B-type cylinders for her certified Lycoming IO-540 replaced.