Annual Directory, Part 1 2008 Kit Aircraft Directory This year’s directory of kitbuilt aircraft lists 315 designs along with specifications, photos, contact information, and a handy cross-reference locator; compiled by Julia Downie. Flight Reports Barefoot Flying A relative newcomer to the U.S. kit aircraft clan, the Sport Air Corsario import from Rio de Janeiro borrows characteristics from other amphibians while displaying a personality and pleasurable flying qualities uniquely its own; by Dave Higdon. Builder Spotlight A Sign of the Zodiac (Part 7) It’s about the journey, not the destination, as Rick Lindstrom’s homebuilt Zodiac 601 XL is ferried by friends from Florida to its new home in Cloverdale, California. Build Your Skills: Composites (Part 8) Last month’s installment in the Composites series detailed how to do vacuum-bagging of parts at home. This month author Bob Fritz discusses how to inexpensively build one critical component in that process: the vacuum pump. Completions Builders share their successes. Shop Talk The Home Machinist, Part 9 If parts that don’t quite fit are grinding you down, author Bob Fritz has a solution: Use a lathe to create a smooth finish on a precisely proportioned piece. While he’s at it, he’ll demonstrate two ways to use the machine’s calipers to measure necessary offsets. Aero 'Lectrics Columnist Jim Weir offers his annual awards for the best products or services seen at Oshkosh/AirVenture 2007. Designer's Notebook Wind Tunnel The perils of PIO; by Barnaby Wainfan. Exploring Around the Patch Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook highlights an intriguing product that caught his eye at AirVenture Oshkosh 2007, and he reiterates the difficulty of bringing new engines to market. What's New This month’s listing covers news from Avemco about aircraft insurance, a Europa update, a Sporty’s prop lock, and Sigma-Tek’s new electric attitude indicator; edited by Mary Bernard. Product Review: Glass Panel While new electronic flight instrument systems (EFISes) sometimes seem ubiquitous, PC Avionics’ new yourGlassPanel line stands out as an easily retrofittable blend of form and function that may fit the bill for homebuilders seeking a moderately priced primary or backup EFIS; by Marc Cook. Gear of the Year 2007 There’s always something new to be had in the field of aviation-related equipment, and this year we stay on the beaten trail and wander off of it a bit with a new EFD/MFD, a build-it-yourself headset, a readily stowable inflatable tent, a headset boom light, a digital attitude indicator, an electronic flight bag and spiffy, low-draw LED landing lights; a Staff Report. Common Cents Home equity loans, building loans, credit cards: These are only a few of the ways that one can finance an airplane building project. But beware: Each option has its benefits and disadvantages, and the wise builder will consider these carefully before signing on the dotted line; by Dave Higdon. Light Stuff The Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association presented its 16th annual President’s Award to Rotax’s Eric Tucker at Oshkosh/AirVenture this year. Tucker’s history dovetails with LAMA’s history, and each will play a significant role in the growing Light Sport Aircraft market; by Dave Martin. Kit Bits Contributors Letters List of Advertisers Builders' Marketplace 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 December issue.
Advanced Flight Systems' Rob Hickman details the company's new 5000-series big screen EFIS at Oshkosh 2010.
Spidertracks introduced a new, smaller, less expensive GPS tracker here at Oshkosh 2010. Rachel Donald explains the main features of the unit and the website that supports it.
CubCrafter's Randy Lervold gives us the skinny on the new Carbon Cub Adventure package introduced here at Oshkosh.
Glasair Aviation’s Mikael Via introduces the new turbocharged, carbon-fiber-bodied Sportsman TC at Oshkosh 2010.
KITPLANES interviews Jeremy Monnett after the roll-out of the light, efficient, single-seat Onex at Oshkosh 2010.
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.
Annual Directory, Part 1
