Kitplanes

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.

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.