Table of Contents
October 2004 Issue
Cover Story
The Unchallenged Ultralight Leader
It's enough to create a serious case of envy among producers vying for the market the Challenger seems to own year after year. Even in 2003, a slow year for all aircraft manufacturers, Quad City Ultralight Aircraft pumped out another 120 kits. Most light-sport aviation companies would consider that an excellent performance. For Quad City, it was a down year! By Dan Johnson
Flight Reports
The Unchallenged Ultralight Leader
For the past 21 years, Quad City's Challenger has proven a good choice; by Dan Johnson.
That Fighter Feel: F4U Corsair vs. RV-4
These two airplanes aren't as different as you might guess; by Doug Rozendaal.
Builder Spotlight
Homebuilt Safety Special: Homebuilt Aircraft: How Safe Are They?
A statistical analysis of amateur-built aircraft accidents produces some unexpected results; Ron Wanttaja.
Homebuilt Safety Special: An Ounce of Prevention
Rick Lindstrom examines three EAA Programs that take a proactive approach to safety; by Rick Lindstrom.
Homebuilt Safety Special: The Safe Homebuilt
Follow these tips when it comes to safe homebuilding and piloting; by Ed Wischmeyer.
Designer's Notebook
How to anticipate and manage failures by designing for safety; by Barnaby Wainfan.
Exploring
Homebuilt safety--an unpopular topic; by Brian E. Clark.
Reduced build time for the Murphy Moose; edited by Brian E. Clark.
A Beginner's Guide, Part 1 -- Insuring Your Homebuilt Aircraft
Planning ahead is the key to finding adequate coverage; by Cory Emberson.
A Beginner's Guide, Part II -- Refinancing a Kit Aircraft Project
How to fund the leap from dream to reality; by Cory Emberson.
Lots of homebuilts are designed for this sport; by Dave Martin.
Builders share their successes.
Meet the most influential figures who have shaped the homebuild aviation industry; by Rick Lindstrom.
Kit Bits
Drawing on experience; by cartoonist Robrucha.
Web Links in this Issue
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At AOPA Summit in Hartford, Garmin will unveil its latest portable, the touchscreen aera 796. Take a video tour of the navigator's features, which include synthetic vision, enhanced chart functions, and a new touchscreen interface.
KITPLANES talked to PS Engineering’s Mark Scheuer about the new PAR100EX Experimental-class audio panel with a communication radio.
KITPLANES caught up with Dynon Avionics at Sun ‘n Fun to get a glimpse of the new DX15 handheld com radio.
KITPLANES tours the Whirlwind Propeller factory where the firm's fixed-pitch and ground-adjustable propellers are made, as well as the blades for Whirlwind constant-speed props.


