Around the Patch
Homebuilt aircraft manufacturers are sometimes reluctant to admit that they have created a less than perfect design, let alone offer a fix. Arion Aircrafts Nick Otterback is bucking that tide; by Marc Cook.
What’s New
Cub Crafters introduces a Carbon Cub kit, a new study of LSAs may affect insurance rates, and AeroLEDs offers new LED anti-collision/landing lights; edited by Mary Bernard.
Down to Earth
A month after the engine was first started on the RV-10, author Amy Laboda and her husband, Barry Marz, scheduled a visit from DAR Ray Howell, received the airworthiness certificate, and commenced ground runs. It sounds simple, but so much effort went into getting that little piece of paper.
Light Stuff
As Light Sport Aircraft become more popular, so too will the desire to learn more about maintaining one of the most common engines used in these designs, the Rotax four-strokes. Columnist Dave Martin goes back to school to learn about routine Rotax maintenance as well as safe operation of the popular engine.
Contributors
Chuck Berthe Our flight-test man in the field took valuable time off from his fitness routine to do an uncommonly thorough job of evaluating...
Letters
Thirty K is OK
Finally, you guys are getting it. Fred Galloways $30,000 (or so) RV-9A was a refreshing story. Im tired of hearing...
Designer Spotlight: John Thorp
John W. Thorp has had a profound influence on both homebuilding and on aviation in general. If you've flown Piper Cherokees or know of the all-flying tail, you're familiar with his design principles, and his T-18 is still a favorite worldwide.
Build Your Skills: Fabric
This month, fabric expert Ron Alexander discusses attaching the fabric to the aircraft parts using either a pre-sewn envelope or individually cut pieces of fabric. The process is optimized for strength in flight as well as aesthetic appeal.
All About Avionics: Cutting The Metal
Heres something to ponder: By the time you get to the point where you are ready to build the panel in your homebuilt aircraft, you've already mastered many of the skills and techniques you'll need to do it by virtue of completing the airframe. That statement is all the more credible when it comes from someone with a vested interest in the subject, our own avionics expert Stein Bruch.
To Dream The (Almost Impossible) Dream
Almost from the beginning of aviation, the idea of a plane you could drive/car you could fly has captured both the popular imagination and the hearts of some dedicated experimentalists. The dream remains alive, and realization, the author says, is fettered only by the lack of willing investors; by Murry L. Rozansky.
In Case You Missed It
Murphy Resurgent
Darryl Murphy’s airplane company has a new owner and a new push for backcountry relevance.
Pilot Proficiency
When determining whos best to conduct the first flight, its a risk versus reward equation. By Doug Rozendaal.
Simple Green
Extreme Simple Green - Aircraft is a new product designed to clean your aircraft safely without damaging finishes. Its effective in removing oil and other dirt from the exterior surfaces as well as the interior, and is used by Boeing on its family of airplanes. Its available at specialty stores and aviation supply houses.
All About Avionics, Part 9
One of the final steps in getting your avionics suite to work is installation of some sort of antenna to capture various radio frequencies. Failing to choose the right antenna and install it properly can compromise the whole installation. Rather than focusing on the intricacies of antenna design, the author discusses the merits of internal versus external for particular equipment plus where to place them; by Stein Bruch