Table of Contents
December 2005 Issue
Cover Story
Once again, the annual aircraft buyer's guide season is upon us, and this year's edition comes with a few changes. As always, this issue contains all designs that can be built from kits, and the January issue will feature plansbuilt designs. The real shift comes in February's content. With the Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) category firmly in place more than a year after its introduction, we decided to compile a directory of the designs that have earned their initial Special LSA certificate, the document that allows a company to begin selling ready-to-fly SLSAs and advanced kit Experimental LSAs. That directory will replace our compilation of trikes and powered parachutes. Rotorcraft designs (helicopters and gyroplanes) will be listed in the February issue as well.
Annual Directory, Part 1
We list 343 fixed-wing aircraft built from kits and give special designation to Light-Sport legal designs; compiled by Julia Downie
Aircraft Company Cross Reference
You can find the company if you know the name of the aircraft design.
Flight Reports
The Excalibur II may be descended from the Quad City Challenger, but it's become its own deal; by Dave Higdon.
Builder Spotlight
Build Your Skills: Metal, Part 5
When is a dimple not a dimple? When it's a countersink. Dig in to find out more; by Dan Checkoway.
Adding a fine whine to Murphy's outsized amphibian; by Ed Wischmeyer.
Shop Talk
How to buy a used Lycoming O-320/360; by Tim Kern.
A new kid on the block--XCOM's 760 transceiver; by Jim Weir.
Designer's Notebook
Are you twisted? Maybe you aren't but your wings probably are; by Barnaby Wainfan.
Exploring
Getting it right: Ideal flying qualities are hard to develop, easy to misplace; by Marc Cook.
Zenith debuts quickbuild kits for Zodiac XL, CH801; edited by Brian E. Clark.
The polls have closed, and the results are in! Compiled by Julia Downie.
Smartly styled and Part 103 legal, the Prowler makes fun flying for experienced trike pilots; by Dan Johnson.
Web Links in this Issue
Follow these links to visit the web sites of companies you read about in the December issue.
Around the Patch
Xerion Avionics
Sky Ranger II
Sky Ranger Aircraft Company
See Clearly Now
Aircraft Spruce
Attention to Details
Aviation Laboratories
Elitz International
Around the Patch
Xerion Avionics
Sky Ranger II
Sky Ranger Aircraft Company
See Clearly Now
Aircraft Spruce
Attention to Details
Aviation Laboratories
Elitz International
Around the Patch
Xerion Avionics
Sky Ranger II
Sky Ranger Aircraft Company
See Clearly Now
Aircraft Spruce
Attention to Details
Aviation Laboratories
Elitz International
IMPORTANT CUSTOMER SERVICE NOTICE TO KITPLANES SUBSCRIBERS:
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We look forward to serving you from our new location.
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 talks with Zenith Aircraft’s Sebastien Heintz at Sun ‘n Fun 2011.
KITPLANES gets the scoop on Garmin’s developments and rebates for the G3X EFIS at Sun ‘n Fun 2011.
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.
