Kitplanes

Cover Story

Van's RV-12

In typical fashion, Van’s Aircraft refused to rest on its laurels after the RV-12’s prototype debut last year, and sought to improve on an already good design. The new production airplane has changed (beyond its color), with a castering nosewheel, toe brakes instead of a grip, reshaped control sticks for better clearance, ground-adjustable seats fore and aft as well as in tilt, and the list goes on. Best of all, this day/VFR machine is still a delight to fly; by Ed Kolano.

Flight Reports

Van's RV-12

In typical fashion, Van’s Aircraft refused to rest on its laurels after the RV-12’s prototype debut last year, and sought to improve on an already good design. The new production airplane has changed (beyond its color), with a castering nosewheel, toe brakes instead of a grip, reshaped control sticks for better clearance, ground-adjustable seats fore and aft as well as in tilt, and the list goes on. Best of all, this day/VFR machine is still a delight to fly; by Ed Kolano.

Lancair ES-P

Robert Simon had the distinction of building the first Lancair ES-P to fly. But the process wasn’t without its challenges. The ES-P employs the cabin design and structure of the pressurized, retractable Lancair IV-P, but has a larger wing and fixed gear. During the build, Simon also deviated from the base design with changes that required factory support to accomplish. Not only did he learn much, he ultimately got the plane he needed; by Dave Higdon.

Builder Spotlight

Build Your Skills: Fabric

If you want sound and long-lasting fabric covering, proper shrinkage is essential. And an accurately calibrated iron is a means to that end. Ron Alexander details the process and offers tips on how to avoid damage to the underlying structure during tautening.

All About Avionics: We Came, We Saw

There are seemingly few more mundane tasks than making holes, but there are as many ways to do them, as there are different sizes and shapes of holes. This month, Stein Bruch describes how to cut holes in the panel yourself, using tools you may already have around the shop.

To Launch a Light Sport

Once he decided on a kit, builder Bob Fritz went full-speed ahead on the project and has made remarkable progress in a short time. He’s nearly ready to start making airplane noises.

Unusual Attitude

RV builder Kathleen Evans makes a case for airplane building as a true partnership between spouses based on mutual interest and respect.

Completions

Builders share their successes.

Shop Talk

The Home Machinist

Charlie Taylor, the Wright brothers’ trusted right-hand man and machinist, made their early powered flight experiments possible. And he built the engine using only a drill press, a lathe, a simple scale and more than a little ingenuity; by Bob Fritz.

Aero 'Lectrics

Columnist Jim Weir comes up with what he thinks is the optimal design for getting power from the 12-volt aircraft battery to the LED without wasting any.

Designer's Notebook

Wind Tunnel

This month columnist Barnaby Wainfan takes a look at how the airplane responds in roll when the pilot is maneuvering. Two key factors are roll acceleration and the steady-state roll rate.

Exploring

Around the Patch

Eventually even the best company founders want to retire, and Dick VanGrunsven of Van’s Aircraft is no exception. Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook discusses the succession plan and why the future continues to look bright for this Pacific Northwest luminary.

What's New

An Aussie Outback SLSA debuts in the U.S., a floating battery eliminator works with the Lightspeed Zulu headset, and Trio Avionics introduces the Pro Pilot autopilot.

Homebuilt Aircraft Safety 1998-2008

Far be it from Ron Wanttaja’s experience to be complacent when it comes to aircraft accident statistics. In this article, he updates two previous articles on the subject of homebuilt aircraft safety and digs deep to find meaning and context for the numbers.

MGL Avionics Stratomaster MAXI Single E1

MGL’s maxi singles are designed to drop into a standard 3.125-inch hole, while the Smart Singles fit into a 2.25-inch hole. Author Rick Lindstrom found that the Maxi Single E1 engine monitor was just the ticket to get him flying while his other unit was in the shop for repairs.

VedaloHD Sunglasses

Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook and Bob Fritz give two thumbs up to two different models of these Italian-made beauties.

Light Stuff

Columnist Dave Martin introduces us to the new Eagle SLSA, whose high-wing configuration and yoke controls may immediately fit many pilots’ comfort zone.

Kit Bits

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Letters

List of Advertisers

Builders' Marketplace

The Classified Builder

Kit Stuff

Drawing n experience; by cartoonist Robrucha.