Builder Spotlight Van's RV-8: Sport Plane Standard Setter Although the RV-8 debuted 12 years ago, author Ed Wischmeyer flies a splendid builder example and notes how the design has fared over the years; by Ed Wischmeyer. Aircraft Handling: What's It Mean To You? Two seasoned test pilots, Chuck Berthe and Ed Wischmeyer, discuss their favorite aircraft and the traits that make the aircraft endearing. They also offer a brief history of aircraft design, and discuss the payoffs and compromises inherent in any design effort. Some of their selections are surprising. a Staff Report. A Sign of the Zodiac (Part 5) Builder Rick Lindstrom’s Zenith Zodiac 601 XL project continues as he discusses the successes and setbacks he experienced along the way to the first flight; by Rick Lindstrom. O For Some Plans! Builder Ray Ordorica is in the process of realizing a long-term dream of building the real airplane that he flew as a model during his early years. The project is not without its trials, though, as original plans are not available, and many small mysteries must be solved before the real building can begin; by Ray Ordorica. Build Your Skills: Composites (Part 6) In this series installment, author Bob Fritz takes you through the basics of a three-day project you can really use: lightweight fiberglass wheel chocks. The article covers materials, cutting, patterns, foam cutting, eliminating bubbles, and pitfalls to look out for during the build; by Bob Fritz. All About Avionics, Part 7 If you intend to fly non-precision or precision GPS approaches, you really do need an IFR GPS. This article explains the options available and the legal issues associated with using the latest in-cockpit GPS technology for IFR navigation; by Stein Bruch. Completions Builders share their successes. Shop Talk The Home Machinist, Part 7 This milling project offers home machinists a great way to get the feel of their equipment and gives them a plug protector for their in-cockpit iPaq as well; by Bob Fritz. Shop Safety This article covers what you should have learned in your high school shop class, but didn’t, and more. It discusses safety glasses, proper treatment of chisels, gloves, jewelry, shop coats, hand tools, urban myths, safe shoes, hardware, biomechanics, capturing wayward chips, machinery placement in the shop, air-powered tools, cleanup, pneumatic cutting tools, and other common sense advice; by Bob Fritz. Aero 'Lectrics Author Jim Weir explains his preparation for the installation of an energy-efficient power system for a hangar or building shed—all on a shoestring budget. He explains how to choose equipment, calculate power needs, the right light fixtures, power generation, equipment suppliers and prices, and the basic legality of such systems; by Jim Weir. Designer's Notebook Wind Tunnel The author explains how the characteristics of an airplane affect pilot ability to complete tasks, response factors, stability and damping of the airframe to changes in angle of attack, basic stability, trim, control forces, and control power. He also addresses the controversy behind the design of airplanes, their characteristics and the resultant suitability for various types of flying; by Barnaby Wainfan. Exploring Around the Patch Getting a handle on it; by Marc Cook. What's New Illuminate your panel, a new EFIS, and a Subaru-based firewall-forwaard engine package; edited by Mary Bernard. Sport Pilot Airplane Bob Fritz reviews Sport Pilot Airplane, a new book from Carol and Brian Carpenter, which covers Light Sport Aircraft from selecting an airplane to pilot and aircraft requirements, meteorology, aerodynamics, flying characteristics, transition to new aircraft and FAA paperwork; by Bob Fritz. Light Stuff Shopping for a new airplane is never easy and there is much to consider. This article details one man’s purchase decision, as he systematically weighs the pros and cons of various designs and ultimately decides on the Flight Design CT; by Dave Martin. Kit Bits Contributors Letters Builders' Marketplace List of Advertisers The Classified Builder Kit Stuff Drawing on experience; by cartoonist Robrucha.
Follow these links to visit the web sites of companies you read about in the October issue.
KITPLANES' exclusive video highlighting the Europa Monowheel built by Kim Prout. His Europa is one of the highest-time examples in the U.S., and amply shows off the superb combination of agility and utility.
In this exclusive KITPLANES video, we get the low down on the new Garmin G3X with synthetic vision.
CubCrafters' Carbon Cub EX may look old-timey on the outside, but it's high-tech on the inside, not just in the materials used but in the production processes.
KITPLANES sits down with Advanced Flight Systems' founder Rob Hickman to examine his new synthetic-vision EFIS.
JPI's Lance Turk explains the features of the new JPI EDM-740.
Ever wonder what it takes to be the largest kit manufacturer in the world? KITPLANES editor Marc Cook takes a tour of Van's Aircraft in Aurora, Oregon.
Flight Reports
