Tribute to Teachers and Mentors

1
I write this submission during the month of November when traditionally we ponder and express gratitude for things, some would say blessings, that we...

No One Is Watching

9
For better or worse, kit manufacturers are under no FAA oversight. There are no independent engineering reviews. No mandatory wing loading or landing-gear drop...

What’s Ahead?

1
As we close out 2022 (as I am writing this) and reflect on a year that showed both immense promise—people continue to build and...

Economics Buffet the Engine Market

3
Few disagree that the Experimental/Amateur-Built world revolves around gas-burning piston engines. Of course, the legacy engines have had a significant head start but Rotax...

On the Edge

2
Hot-rodding the venerable Rotax four-strokes.

Bingo Fuel

1
Having more gas on board than needed for a given flight seems easy enough to comprehend, yet every year an alarming number of flights...

A Cautionary Tail

12
One Monday morning I opened an email from the second owner of a Onex. It was sent at 8:12 p.m. on Saturday. An attached...

My Home Airport

3
Recently I walked into Van’s Aircraft and kissed the cutest engineer I could find. He didn’t seem that thrilled. I suppose that’s what happens...

Nothing New

2
Apparently having done something evil in a former life, I’ve been consigned to toil on this magazine’s Engine Buyer’s Guide in this life. I...

Executing the Execution

0
Airplanes are born of time and tedium. Mostly tedium. A harsh statement, yet a true one. There’s just no way around deburring the thousands...

In Case You Missed It

Around the Patch

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Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook takes note of the good, bad and the uncapitalized in public reactions to a recent aircraft accident. He encourages knowledgeable pilots, builders and enthusiasts to counter the public rantings of armchair crackpots with kindness and courage. Also, a tip of the buttonless cap to Omar Filipovic, KITPLANES.coms new webmaster, for his savvy work to create a more lively and flexible web site.

Home Shop Machinist

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Exhausting options-a DIY muffler for a Pietenpol.

A Witch’s Brew

1
Liquid consumables for the shop.

Metal Magic: Intro to Riveting

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Introduction to driven rivets. Learn how to judge the size of rivets you need and how to tell if you've driven them correctly.