Table of Contents
January 2012 Issue
Buyer's Guide
The 2012 Plansbuilt Buyer’s Guide features 138 designs for those who prefer the challenge of building an aircraft from scratch.
Flight Reports
The Steen Skybolt is a fabric-covered, wood-ribbed biplane that is built for aerobatics—and doesn’t disappoint. By Ed Wischmeyer.
Builder Spotlight
Wendell and Martha Solebee’s experience in the automotive restoration business came in handy when it was time to prep their Lancair Evolution for paint. By Dave Prizio.
Electrical components ahead of the firewall are crucial to the operation of the engine and aircraft systems. Stein Bruch presents a primer on wiring these vital elements of your electrical system.
Mel Asberry looks at who can and cannot sign off on homebuilt aircraft inspections.
Veteran A&P Steve Ells explains the basics of setting up and organizing your home workshop, and the tools you’ll need to complete and maintain your project.
Designer's Notebook
Barnaby Wainfan explains the challenges designers face in creating viable STOL aircraft.
Exploring
Editor Mary Bernard discusses the reward of simplicity that a homebuilder can find when building from plans.
ZuluLog offers a pilot logbook for Android devices, Zenith and UL Power announce a firewall-forward kit for the CH 650, and Garmin introduces the aera 796, its new flagship portable navigator.
Marc Cook reminisces about the hours of enjoyment he found working on his GlaStar Sportsman.
Van’s Aircraft founder Richard VanGrunsven considers flight safety, and how improving our building and piloting skills would do more to reduce the number of mishaps than additional regulations would.
Electric Light Sport Aircraft are few and far between, owing primarily to the heavy batteries eating into LSA weight restrictions. The Alternair Amp is poised to change all that. By Dean Sigler.
Homebuilt aircraft played a key role in bringing aid to the Bahamas after Hurricane Irene. Amy Laboda explains how you can join in future relief efforts.
Interested in ultralights? Roy Beisswenger explains what is available and how to make the right choice for your needs.
The words “test pilot” conjure images of steely-eyed derring-do, but the reality is often a world away from all that. By Paul Dye.
Kit Bits
List of Advertisers, Builders' Marketplace and the Classified Builder.
Drawing on experience; by cartoonist Robrucha.
Download the complete January 2012 issue of KITPLANES in one PDF file.
Web Links in this Issue
What's New
ZuluLog
Zenith Aircraft
Garmin
Steen Skybolt
Steen Aero
Lancair Evo 4
Lancair
All About Avionics
Battery Tender Jr.
Maintenance Matters
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty
Avery Tools
Aviation Tool Supply
Brown Aviation Tools
Harbor Freight
Plane Tools
Snap-On Tools
Summit Racing
U.S. Tool
Alternative Energies
Alternair, Inc.
CHAdeMO charging systems
eXtreme Capacitors, Inc.
LaunchPoint Motors
Down To Earth
Bahamas Habitat
Charities that need help from pilots
View Reader Links from previous issues
Our Sister Aviation Publications:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
IMPORTANT CUSTOMER SERVICE NOTICE TO KITPLANES SUBSCRIBERS:
The Kitplanes Magazine Customer Service Center has moved from Palm Coast, FL to Big Sandy, TX. Our toll-free number, 800-622-1065, and website, kitplanes.com, remain the same. All mailed correspondence, including subscription invoices, renewals, and gift notices, will bear our new address:
PO BOX 8535
Big Sandy, TX 75755
We look forward to serving you from our new location.
KITPLANES tours the Whirlwind Propeller factory where the firm's fixed-pitch and ground-adjustable propellers are made, as well as the blades for Whirlwind constant-speed props.
At AOPA Summit in Hartford, Garmin will unveil its latest portable, the touchscreen aera 796. Take a video tour of the navigator's features, which include synthetic vision, enhanced chart functions, and a new touchscreen interface.
Advanced Flight Systems' Rob Hickman details the company's new 5000-series big screen EFIS at Oshkosh 2010.
Spidertracks introduced a new, smaller, less expensive GPS tracker here at Oshkosh 2010. Rachel Donald explains the main features of the unit and the website that supports it.
CubCrafter's Randy Lervold gives us the skinny on the new Carbon Cub Adventure package introduced here at Oshkosh.
Glasair Aviation’s Mikael Via introduces the new turbocharged, carbon-fiber-bodied Sportsman TC at Oshkosh 2010.
