Flight Reports Comp Air 9 Chuck Berthe flies the turbine-powered Comp Air CA9, an impressive work in progress. With a combination of a massive airframe and a Honeywell turbine, the CA9 is a heavy hauler that will really scoot. Taylor Monoplane Bob Grimstead has way too much fun and gets plenty of wind in his face as he flight-tests the plansbuilt Taylor Monoplane. Builder Spotlight Designer Spotlight: Lawrence B. Sperry Amy Laboda takes a look at the life of inventor Lawrence Sperry, whose childhood fascination with a spinning top led to his development of critical flight control systems...and even the aircraft seat belt. The Price of Power More power! Bob Fritz takes a close look at what makes batteries go, what kind is best for your plane, and how to get the most out of your battery. Freedom to See It Differently Jeff Van West flight-tests two popular EFISes in a Remos GX LSA, and examines their accuracy, user interface and reliability. After all the stones have been unturned, your choice can be simplified: Are you a Mac or a PC? To Launch a Light Sport It’s 90% done with 90% to go! Bob Fritz has a flyable airplane and a semi-long list of things still left to do to improve it. Completions Builders share their successes. Shop Talk Aero ‘Lectrics Jim Weir uses quarter-wave magic to make a coaxial balun and a VOR/LOC splitter. Designer's Notebook Wind Tunnel Tail stalls have been in the news lately—Barnaby Wainfan dissects this phenomenon, and clarifies what to do and what not to do. Exploring Around the Patch Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook takes a moment to put life’s challenges in perspective as Senior Editor Bob Fritz enters the fight of his life with his characteristic positive attitude. What's New CubCrafters ships CarbonCub kits; Forward Vision’s EVS-100 system will be available in RotorWay Experimental/Amateur-Built helicopters; and MotoPOD will produce cargo pods to haul a street-legal motorcycle underneath the RV-10. Edited by Mary Bernard. Report from Friedrichshafen 625 exhibitors in 11 exhibit halls? Amy Laboda was up for it at AERO Friedrichshafen, Germany’s extravaganza of a trade show. Engines of all kinds were the order of the day. Product Review: Wicks Adel Clamp Pliers No hangar assistants or third hand to wrangle those tricky wiring or tubing installations using Adel clamps? Wicks has come up with the perfect kit to help. By Marc Cook. SPOT, Checked Navigation expert Langley R. Muir, Ph.D.’s in-depth study of the SPOT Personal Tracker reveals its capabilities…and what you need to know to use it most effectively. The Little Bush Plane That Could Amy Laboda takes a slow flight down Memory Lane. The rich history of the Kitfox over the last 25 years has had its challenges and happy endings. Unusual Attitude As Dick Starks rouses the Dawn Patrol, he recalls his aeronautically inspired familiarity with grain crops, and a nimble performance of the “Nieuport Stomp.” Engine Beat As Lycoming and Continental vie for market share, the two power players are updating and improving long-existing engine designs and introducing new products to meet demand. By Steve Ells. Down to Earth As environmental regulations and market pressures converge on avgas’ boutique industry, Amy Laboda investigates what’s going on in energy research… and what’s to come. Ask the DAR Do you need to run your engine for the DAR? How does using a certified engine and prop affect your Phase I test period? How about the gray areas regarding dual flight instruction? DAR Mel Asberry gives you the straight scoop. Light Stuff A bit of Brazil: Dave Martin flies the Paradise P-1 SLSA at the Sebring LSA Expo show. News from Sun ’n Fun Attendance may have been down a bit with the slumping economy, but that didn’t stop innovators from introducing new products for homebuilt aviation. A Staff Report. Kit Bits Letters List of Advertisers Builders' Marketplace The Classified Builder Kit Stuff Drawing on experience; by cartoonist Robrucha. Download KITPLANES® in PDF Download the complete July 2009 issue of KITPLANES® in one PDF file.
Follow these links to visit the web sites of companies you read about in the July issue.
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.
In this exclusive KITPLANES video, we get the low down on the new Garmin G3X with synthetic vision.
CubCrafters' Carbon Cub EX may look old-timey on the outside, but it's high-tech on the inside, not just in the materials used but in the production processes.
KITPLANES sits down with Advanced Flight Systems' founder Rob Hickman to examine his new synthetic-vision EFIS.
JPI's Lance Turk explains the features of the new JPI EDM-740.
Ever wonder what it takes to be the largest kit manufacturer in the world? KITPLANES editor Marc Cook takes a tour of Van's Aircraft in Aurora, Oregon.
Flight Reports
