Kitplanes

Cover Story

The $30,000 RV-9A

Two builders helped each other build RV-9As, each employing significantly different outlays of cash. The results are impressive in both cases, but for different reasons. They help us ponder the question as we build: “What is something worth?” By Marc Cook.

Flight Reports

The $30,000 RV-9A

Two builders helped each other build RV-9As, each employing significantly different outlays of cash. The results are impressive in both cases, but for different reasons. They help us ponder the question as we build: “What is something worth?” By Marc Cook.

Builder Spotlight

Unbreaking the Bank

Although many more than eight Light Sport Aircraft can be built for less than $40,000, Dave Martin highlights some of the aircraft he has flown and offers personal insights on why they may be the way to go for you.

PS Engineering PMA9000EX

After a quick and easy installation, PS Engineering’s new PMA9000EX audio panel is test-flown by Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook in his Glastar Sportsman.

All About Avionics--The Electric Airplane

It’s a new world in homebuilt avionics, driven by electronic instruments and powered by an electrical system tailored to meet each specific application. Resident Avionics Guru Stein Bruch walks you through numerous possible configurations for powering your equipment, and offers tips on how to do the installation right the first time.

Aspen Avionics AT300

Aspen Avionics’ AT300 is designed to be a drop-in replacement for a vertical speed indicator, but you’ll get a lot more usable information in the cockpit when you couple it to your GPS; by Rick Lindstrom.

Completions

Builders share their successes.

Shop Talk

The Home Machinist

How do you turn out non-cylindrical objects with your lathe? Why, by using a four-jaw chuck, of course. And there’s a way to effectively employ that 'ole' adjustable wrench that might have escaped you for years; by Bob Fritz.

Designer's Notebook

Wind Tunnel

The diagnosis of pitch sensitivity problems boils down to one of two things: too little static margin or control system problems. This month we discuss how to modify the airplane to fix them; by Barnaby Wainfan.

Exploring

Around the Patch

Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook discusses the potential impact of changes to the FAA’s 51% rule, which are the result of increasingly complex aircraft being constructed with the aid of builder-assistance programs.

What's New

The Jabiru LSA was certified, a new Sport Hornet is introduced, Vertical Power offers climate control in the cockpit, Cirrus is taking orders, an old favorite book title is back in print, the PT-6 firewall-forward package is now on a Turbo Grizzly, and an LED pilot pen lights the great write way; edited by Mary Bernard.

Getting Its Props

Few people have the opportunity to tour the kit manufacturer’s shop, let alone the manufacturing facilities of ancillary items such as engines, avionics and props. Author Bob Fritz remedies that last one by taking us on a tour of Sensenich’s plant, and you’ll marvel at the company’s unique blend of old school and high tech.

Weather to Fly and Weather On the Web

Whether you want to learn more about weather or already understand it and are looking for better pre-flight weather resources, author Bob Fritz fills you in on the latest and greatest assets on DVD and on the web.

Simulating Emergencies

Given the aviation accident statistics, it’s wise to stay sharp between flights, and one way to do that is to practice on a simulator. While that used to be cost prohibitive, today’s simulators not only work well on your home computer, they offer homebuilt designs to fly; by Chuck Bodeen.

Down to Earth

Is the mainstream media’s portrayal of aviation incidents sensationalized or on target? Turns out they are right in some aspects, but lacking in others. Either way, the aviation accident rate illustrates that there’s still room for improvement; by Amy Laboda.

Light Stuff

Columnist Dave Martin flies one of the best-selling Special Light Sport Aircraft (factory-built), the Flight Design CTSW. Although he encounters a few surprises, transition training for pilots new to the design would likely alleviate such things.

Kit Bits

Contributors

Letters

List of Advertisers

Builders' Marketplace

The Classified Builder

Kit Stuff

Drawing experience; by cartoonist Robrucha.