Tag: homebuilt design
![[Credit: LeRoy Cook]](https://kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_4581.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "The Wild Traveler")
In Case You Missed It
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.
Virus Motorglider
Ed Wischmeyer samples the Pipistrel Virus, a versatile Slovenian composite motorglider that can be built or bought ready-to-fly.
Minnesota Mission
Creating a bespoke airplane is one benefit of building from plans; when assembling a kit, builders cannot make many changes.
