Exploring

Once you finish building a project, it's tempting to second-guess whether you should have done something different, or perhaps waited for the next gen of a new technology to make an appearance. But flying two differently powered Sportsman aircraft gave Editor in Chief Marc Cook a new appreciation for his own airplane and its more than adequate capabilities.

Lancair's Piston Evolution has flown, and MGL Avionics V10 com radio debuts. Edited by Mary Bernard.

Bob Fritz tests battery chargers and desulfation systems, and finds its easier to keep a battery in good shape than to raise it from the dead—and that a good charger is a better bet than a new battery.

Steve Ells immerses himself in the art and science of fuel-injection systems during a weekend course at Airflow Performance headquarters.

What's the difference between the FAAs SLSA (Special Light Sport Aircraft) and ELSA (Experimental Light Sport Aircraft) designation? DAR Mel Asberry clears it up.

What makes an excellent Experimental exhaust system? High quality 321 stainless tubes, neat welds and flex points. By Steve Ells.

Dave Martin finds a Light Sport seaplane at the 2009 Sebring LSA Expo that made a real splash.

Lycoming offers zero-time, factory-rebuilt engines to pilots and owners for the cost of a factory overhaul, in exchange for a first-run core; RPX Technologies introduces the simple and straightforward DynaVibe prop and rotor balancer. Edited by Mary Bernard.

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.

Burt Rutan's elegant and efficient aircraft-and spacecraft-designs are in a league of their own. Amy Laboda looks at Rutan's legacy, what he's doing now, and why he may never retire.