Kitplanes Magazine

20/02/2024

Installing small screws into the tight confines of a deep avionics tray is a challenge that can be both annoying and frustrating.

20/02/2024

A word we use rather flippantly when perusing electronic circuitry—ground.

18/02/2024

Van’s Aircraft posed a video today updating builders on Chapter 11 progress, which is “on schedule and going smoothly.” “We’ve had an overwhelming response, more than we expected,” said Greg Hughes, who shared the video with Van’s founder Dick VanGrunsven., on the subject of customer r...

16/02/2024

The way to reduce or eliminate excess cooling drag in cruise is to use a variable-geometry cooling system that can change shape to control the amount of air flowing through the cowling.

15/02/2024

You might think that a long-running proposal to streamline certification and greatly expand (and make far more usable) LSA and sport pilot rules would have the industry locking arm, raising voices in song and, therefore, on a clear path to success. You might, but you’d be wrong.

13/02/2024

Some surprising results when compared to traditional Cessnas.

12/02/2024

On our July 2006 cover was the Aventura II, written about and photographed by our longtime favorite aviation writer Dave Higdon. “Egrets and herons cleared a path during my first approach to a water landing in Aero Adventure’s Aventura II amphibian, as sure of their need to leave as my doubts ab...

09/02/2024

It can happen to anyone, but maybe more so with age. We don’t, or can’t, get up as much. Health issues arise. Other interests consume our energy. Maybe it’s not as exciting anymore or the effort to maintain the relationship becomes too much. The longer we remain inactive, the longer we remain ...

08/02/2024

It had been a long, cold night. A night begun burning on one side and freezing on the other while facing a desert campfire, then finished in a sleeping bag that refused to warm up because I had no heat to give it. Cold as in painful. Cold as in feet so iced they demanded […]

05/02/2024

Sometimes it's form over function.

01/02/2024

With 200 hp on tap, the 347-pound (dry) DHK200 closes the gap to the angle-valve Lycoming IO-390.

31/01/2024

Featuring color displays, the new radios are com only (GTR 205) or a nav/com (GTR 215).

31/01/2024

Lockwood’s Rotax-powered RV-9A is more than just fancy rhinoplasty.

30/01/2024

The first portable radio with a built-in LEMO jack.

30/01/2024

Special rebate on certain Dynon and Advanced Flight Systems products for RV builders.

27/01/2024

For ages one of the most common laments in aviation is we’re still flying around behind ancient engines. LyConsaurs they’re called, and when in the world are we going to move on to something designed after the demise of vacuum tube computing? Maybe, I’m beginning to think, we already have. No,...

27/01/2024

A long-expected announcement concerning builder deposits made on third-party items—engines, propellers, avionics.

A long-expected announcement concerning builder deposits made on third-party items—engines, propellers, avionics—came this morning from Van’s Aircraft, which is navigating its way toward Chapter 11 reorganization in the wake of a severe cash crunch late last year. Van’s says all customer dep...

25/01/2024

Our annual Engine Buyer's Guide is now available!

Costs are up and supplies remain tight, so plan accordingly.

22/01/2024

Last summer I had the chance to get some hands-on experience with TIG brazing. Other than a YouTube video or two, I knew next to nothing about it. My tutor, Mr. David from Lemoore, California, covered everything from the TIG machine settings, his favorite torch and why he’s using TIG brazing inste...

21/01/2024

Change of seasons & modifications.

21/01/2024

Virtual Ultralight Days will return in 2024 for the third year.

21/01/2024

Way back in March ’23 (deep in snow here), I gave you the problem of Ernie, who needed a flashing light to see when something is being said on the radio. Finally, we’re going to finish the project by making a PC board for brother Ernie. I was hoping to get it done in time […]

19/01/2024

There are two popular options for builders to consider for covering steel components.

19/01/2024

https://www.kitplanes.com/second-chance-six-3/

Fuel tanks are done! Now what?

17/01/2024

The first installation will be on Craig Saxton’s already flying RV-14 and is “anticipated to fly during late spring 2024.”

17/01/2024

Our first indication of a problem was a sudden deceleration of the airplane. The oil indications, both pressure and temperature, were deceptively normal.

16/01/2024

The design must focus on sufficiently cooling the engine while minimizing drag.

15/01/2024

Looking back on three years with uAvionix’s full-featured EFIS.

13/01/2024

A decade ago, we highlighted the almost bewildering array of WW-I replicas made by Airdrome Aeroplanes.

10/01/2024

Our twenty (plus) year old quick-build F1 Rocket kit came covered in a variety of twenty (plus) year old vinyl and plastic.