Andrew Robinson
Andrew Robinson is an aerospace engineer who spent half his career in airplane and rocket design with the major aerospace companies before accidentally falling into telecom. He mentors EAA youth builds on Saturday mornings in conjunction with working to finish his Thorp T-18 so that he can get back to flying.
![My 36 year old clipboard from when I started at Boeing. Engineering ruler and fastener/fastener hole cheat sheets. [Credit: Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Liaison_clipboard.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "What Is a Liaison Engineer?")
What Is a Liaison Engineer?
This column is geared more toward the younger crowd looking to enter aviation, so if you know anyone that might benefit from this, please...
![At Sun ‘n Fun 2026, Viking Aircraft Engines surprised the crowd with its first complete kit — the V-42, a high-wing twin powered by two Honda-based engines. Here’s an early look. [Credit: Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/P1020293.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Viking V-42 Twin")
Viking V-42 Twin
Outside the exhibition hangers at Sun ‘n Fun, Viking Aircraft Engines had its usual location and as I walked up, I was greeted by,...
![[Credit: Wikimedia Commons]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/F-117_Nighthawk_Front.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Odd and Unusual Aircraft")
Odd and Unusual Aircraft
If you look at the books in my library, and by that, I mean the ones on the shelves, not the ones next to......
![Dragging it in low and slow for the STOL competition. [Credit: Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SnF_dragging_in.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Sun ’n Fun 2026 Recap: Avionics Upgrades, Thorp Kits, and STOL Action")
Sun ’n Fun 2026 Recap: Avionics Upgrades, Thorp Kits, and STOL...
I made my annual foray down to Lakeland Linder International (international for almost ten years now!) airport for two days of sweating off a...
![Making rare use of my drafting tools for the internal timing. [All Images Credited to Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/P1010535.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Conquering the Magneto, Part 2")
Conquering the Magneto, Part 2
The second installment continues demystifying the aircraft magneto, with deeper detail on service and troubleshooting.
![[Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_262642207_AGCuesta.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Winging It")
Winging It
Sometimes an aircraft feature matters a great deal, and sometimes the air simply doesn't care one way or the other.
![Andrew bought a Thorp T-18 project, which started him down the road to experimental aircraft project ownership and construction. [Credit: Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_7725-scaled.jpeg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Winging It")
![Aircraft control surface designs may include counterweights to offset and eliminate flutter. The counterweights should not be eliminated to save weight. [Credit: Kitplanes Archive]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/kitfox-s7-sti-04.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Weight and Flutter")
![[Credit: Eric Powell]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AdobeStock_1043661239-scaled.jpeg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Weight In The Balance")
In Case You Missed It
Lightning Strikes Again
Its been four years since we reviewed the Arion Lightning, and things have changed-for the better. Marc Cook had a chance to fly the old and the new, and he details the differences.
Letters
Engine Assembly Sealants and LubricantsI enjoyed Dave Prizio's article, "Choosing the Right Sealant" ....
