Table of Contents
August 2005 Issue
Cover Story
If it's indeed true that speed sells, the Epic LT ought to be popping out of the molds in Bend, Oregon, at a ferocious pace. After all, this outsized six-seater, offered initially as an Experimental/Amateur-Built aircraft but destined to be FAR Part 23 certified and mass produced, cooks along at an eye-widening 403 mph--a number that still sounds mighty impressive as 350 knots. That's fleeter yet than the Turbine Legend and even a turbine-powered Lancair IV. If you're shopping across the aisle in production turboprop singles, know that the current Epic beats the Pilatus PC-12, which boasts the same total power, by 80 knots and the EADS/Socata TBM700 by a solid 50 knots.
Flight Reports
This 1200-hp single gives new meaning to the term fast glass; by Ed Wischmeyer.
Builder Spotlight
Build Your Skills: Metal, Part 1
An RV builder begins our journey through the gritty details of working with metal; by Dan Checkoway.
Don't try this at home; by Dick Starks.
The new MD3 Rider is the latest development from the designer of the Skyboy; by Dan Johnson.
Shop Talk
Yep, homebuilts need them, too. What to know before you throw your money down; by Brian E. Clark.
Welcome to the wood works; by Rick Lindstrom.
Build Your Own Instrument Panel, Part 2
Engine monitor dos and don'ts; by Marc Cook.
A little preventative maintenance can help you avoid serious problems under the cowl; by Ed Wischmeyer.
Be sure to identify and remedy common firewall-forward problems after your first flight; by Tim Kern.
Now that we have the wind indicator flying, let's electrify it; by Jim Weir.
Designer's Notebook
The choice of engine is one of a designer's most critical decisions; by Barnaby Wainfan.
Exploring
Are you ready for the jets? by Marc Cook.
Lamar Technologies debuts master control unit for Experimentals; edited by Brian E. Clark.
Useful Loaders: 14 Kits for Heavy Haulin'
For true haulers, useful load is about more than just pounds; by Dave Higdon.
Not much in the way of surprises at this year's annual Florida fly-in; a staff report.
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.


