Table of Contents
October 2005 Issue
Cover Story
Comparing two aircraft--one you can buy with a big wad of cash and one that you'll have to put together yourself--has become something of a popular pastime around here, and it's hard to find a better example of the apple not falling far from the tree than these Lancairs, the Experimental Super ES and the production-line Columbia 300/350. (The two are virtually identical, except that the 350 is the current--so to speak--all electric airplane. All production Lancairs are now called simply Columbias.) And while the fruits suggest the same flavor, it doesn't take long to learn that the Columbia varietal could have fallen from the ES's tree but it rolled down the hill, across the river and into the next orchard. Put simply: They look alike but most definitiely are not so much alike. Proof? The only shared parts are the rudder pedals! Really
Flight Reports
The Lancair Super ES and Columbia compared; by Ed Wischmeyer.
This kit motorglider combines the joy of soaring with practical cross-country capability; by Ed Wischmeyer.
Builder Spotlight
These builders love their sporty little airplanes; by Mary Bernard.
Builders share their successes with our readers.
Build Your Skills: Metal Part 3
Holes, bits, clamps and chucks. You know the drill; by Dan Checkoway.
Shop Talk
What's it take to do your own turbo?; by Marc Cook.
A close look at the leading purveyor of Subaru conversions for Experimentals; by Ed Wischmeyer.
A colorful culmination; by Rick Lindstrom.
Watt's up doc? By Jim Weir.
Shopping for a used Rotax? Here's what to look for in your next four-stroke; by Tim Kern.
Designer's Notebook
Every design analysis comes with a degree of uncertainty. Accept it! By Barnaby Wainfan.
Exploring
Opportunity knocks; by Marc Cook.
Garmin's next-generation handheld features XM Weather; edited by Brian E. Clark.
Designer Spotlight: Chuck Slusarczyk
This ultralight guru's venerable CGS Hawk is still going strong; by Tim Kern.
The gorgeous Corvus--a sleek Hungarian aircraft in the making; by Dan Johnson.
Kit Stuff
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.


