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, steam-gauge-adjacent GlaStar based in western Oregon. Marc has 5000 hours spread over 200-plus types and four decades of flying.
Mistral Rotary Moves Closer to Certification
A step forward in what has been viewed as a stop-start development program for the Mistral rotary aircraft engine was announced today. The company says preparations are underway to begin flying the three-rotor engine on a Maule MX-7 testbed in Florida.
Commentary: Homebuilt Aircraft Safety Picture Blurred by Bad Data
When a Lancair IV-P lost power, began leaking oil over the windscreen and eventually landed on a Florida beach, the subsequent crash set off...
Aircraft Spruce Recognized for “Going Green”
In ceremonies this week at the company's Corona, California, headquarters, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty was recognized by the city for its recent green initiatives....
Zenair Ships First North American-made LSA Amphib Floats
This just in from Zenair LTD, Canada: Zenair light aircraft float production was returned to North American last year after being outsourced in the Czech...
Product Review: J.P. Instruments EDM-740
JPI is offering a new compact, capable engine monitor that is built and priced for the homebuilt market. By Marc Cook.
Product Review: PS Engineering PMA5000EX
At its heart, the PMA5000EX is a four-place stereo intercom in an audio panel that supports two each of coms, navs, switching aux inputs, music inputs plus having five unswitched aux inputs and a front-panel input for a music source or cell. By Marc Cook.
Around the Patch
A visit to the CubCrafters factory in a rural area of Washington state can get a guy thinking about leaving big city life behind. By Marc Cook.
Legislation Introduced in House and Senate to Correct FAA's "Through the...
This just in from the Through the Fence Organization. *** The "Community Airport Access and Protection Act of 2010" was introduced yesterday to Congress by the...
Brake Tech for Builders
Marc Cook talks theory, practice, technology and maintenance with Matco Manufacturings George Happ and Grove Aircrafts Robbie Grove. Consider it a primer for all things brake-related.
It’s a Cub Thing
With a bigger engine and lighter airframe, CubCrafters’ Carbon Cub EX kit aircraft takes the Cub experience to a higher plane. By Marc Cook.
In Case You Missed it
Bend It Like…A Pro
If you always wanted a custom exhaust for your homebuilt but were too afraid to ask, consider this alternative where you build the model and then send it in to the shop for professional fabrication. Author Bret Davenport found the Aircraft Exhaust four-into-one collector system for his Pitts S-1S more than satisfactory.
Hatz Classic: A Homebuilt Waco
First-time builder Ron Sieck’s Hatz Classic biplane comes charmingly close to perfection.