Marc Cook
Marc Cook is a veteran special-interest journalist who started as a staffer at AOPA Pilot in the late 1980s. Marc has built two airplanes, an Aero Designs Pulsar XP and a Glasair Aviation Sportsman, and now owns a 180-hp, recently modernized GlaStar based in western Oregon. Marc has 5000 hours spread over 200-plus types and four decades of flying.
AI Amuses, But It Can’t Replace Aviation Experts
AI can't replace real aviation expertise—building safe aircraft requires hands-on knowledge, experience, and a well-calibrated BS meter.
CompAir 6.2 Piston and Turbine Singles at Sun ‘n Fun 2025
The newest iteration has a walter 601D on the nose and provides impressive cruise numbers in addition to room for six-plus people inside the cavernous interior.
AeroLEDS from Sun ‘n Fun 2025
Ryan Edmark introduces the new AeroLEDS Nano strobe and position lights as well as the recently released SunBeam Equinox rectangular taxi and landing light at Sun 'n Fun 2025.
Dynon Corgi Servos
Dynon Avionics showed off its new Corgi electric servos designed for trim and other applications.
One Thing Leads to Another
It started simply enough. With a mistake. OK, maybe just a misapplication of learned behavior.
Wanted: Engine Competition
Imagine a time not too long ago when pilots embarking on the delicious endeavor to build their own airplanes could consider multiple sources for just about any engine on the menu.
Van’s Aircraft Year-End Update: “Significant Strides”
Van’s Aircraft celebrates 2024 achievements: reduced kit lead times, RV-15 progress, and a new avionics department launch.
In Case You Missed It
Firewall Forward: Choosing Your Engine
Many factors go into choosing the right engine for your homebuilt. In Part 1 of this new series, Dave Prizio provides an overview of the options available in Lycoming and Lycoming-type engines, and what you need to consider when making a decision.
Modern Exterior Aircraft Lighting
It’s your best way of letting other making your presence known to other pilots, so your exterior lighting system deserves careful thought and planning early on in the build process. Fortunately, there are choices for every plane and budget.
Ask the DAR
Is an aircraft’s empty weight required on the data plate? Does the gross weight change when an LSA is converted from conventional landing gear to floats? Should engine maintenance be entered in the builder’s logbook? Does the Minimax still qualify as an ultralight?
Take a Ride In a Thorp T-18
Join Phil Mandel for a walkaround description and a brief flight in his Thorp...