Kitplanes

Cover Story

RANS S-19

When new aircraft from two very different designers, in this case Randy Schlitter and Richard VanGrunsven, surface with considerable similarities, consensus about basic design tenets must be blowing in the wind. Certainly Light Sport regs do constrain performance considerations, but human factors are more up for grabs, and that’s where one or another design can truly shine; by Marc Cook.

Flight Reports

RANS S-19

When new aircraft from two very different designers, in this case Randy Schlitter and Richard VanGrunsven, surface with considerable similarities, consensus about basic design tenets must be blowing in the wind. Certainly Light Sport regs do constrain performance considerations, but human factors are more up for grabs, and that’s where one or another design can truly shine; by Marc Cook.

Builder Spotlight

The Unintimidated Builder

Builder Walter Treadwell has taken on projects that many of us would find daunting, and he keeps upping the ante. First came a Lancair 235, then a plansbuilt Jenny JN-4, followed by a P-38 and then his current project, a resized Sikorsky S-38. Some 4000 hours into the new project, Treadwell has a ways to go, but fortunately he has a mini AgCat to fly in the meantime; by Bob Fritz.

DIY Airport Glideslope Indicator

Author Chuck Deiterich details how to build your own simple but effective visual glideslope indicator using common household construction materials.

Are We There Yet?

We all know that building your own airplane is a project that’s never really finished, and having a partner only complicates the process, as two viewpoints about necessary equipment must be reconciled before progress can be made. Such was the case when these two partners in an RV-9A tried to come to terms with what avionics a panel (and the pilots) really needs; by Roger Molthuis.

All About Avionics

Having worked with a variety of products from various manufacturers, author Stein Bruch has a lot of wisdom on the ins and outs of electronic flight instrument systems (EFISes) for homebuilts. He dispenses those smarts here, and offers tips on what to consider when making this important avionics decision, including such items as compatibility, reliability, value and ease of installation.

Completions

Shop Talk

The Home Machinist

This month’s feature offers a three-in-one discussion that includes how to use the steady rest to work with any material that extends beyond the chuck, a review of Google’s SketchUp program that will allow you to get designing on your home computer quickly, and notes on how to make an indispensable tool for the home machinist; by Bob Fritz.

Aero 'Lectrics

Columnist Jim Weir has completed his solar-powered battery charger, and it works! It may not be the fastest charger, but it is certainly up to the task of keeping a battery topped off, even in winter.

Designer's Notebook

Wind Tunnel

This month we use the accumulated flight-test data to determine what exactly is causing the unacceptable flying qualities of the airplane so that the best way to fix the problem can be identified; by Barnaby Wainfan.

Exploring

Around the Patch

Those who plan to build an aircraft from a kit would do well to visit the factory and get to know not only the owners but also the operation. So counsels Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook, whose recent visit to the RANS factory left him favorably impressed. RANS manufacturing is diversified to weather the ups and downs of the market, and the company knows what works and sticks to it.

What's New

A WxWorx partner will help upgrade Nexrad, MGL Avionics’ Odyssey EFIS ships in the U.S., Sky-Tec offers the RX12 starter for Rotax 912/914 series engines, and TrickAir offers skis for the American Legend Aircraft Legend Cub.

Carbon Monoxide Blues

Although not a huge factor in airplane crashes, carbon monoxide poisoning does contribute to accidents each year. This is entirely avoidable with a good, functional carbon monoxide detector in the cockpit. The choices in these units have increased over the years, so now there’s no excuse to do without this useful tool; by Rick Lindstrom.

Stainless Steel

Author Norm Ellis is not a particular fan of stainless-steel, even though he knows it has its place—even if that place is not in your airplane. After providing a brief history of this widely used material, he makes a case for choosing the right stock for the right project on the basis of utility rather than beauty—and he offers the stats to back up his assertions.

Dan's World

Columnist and RV builder Dan Checkoway advocates keeping it simple so that you can actually afford to fuel and fly your homebuilt aircraft. He claims many builders buy into the hype about the latest and greatest equipment must-haves, and then complain about the price at the pump.

Light Stuff

The state of Oregon has a new law that mandates using ethanol in all auto fuel, potentially affecting thousands of pilots, especially owners of most of today’s Light Sport Aircraft powered by the ubiquitous Rotax 912 engine. It may not be too late to take action against similar legislation that could be brewing in your state; by Dave Martin.

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Kit Stuff

Drawing on experience; by cartoonist Robrucha.