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.
Oregon Aero to Offer $23 Off Headset Upgrade Kits at SnF
Oregon Aero has announced that it will discount its Aviation Headset and Helmet Upgrade kits by $23 as show special during Sun 'n Fun...
MGL Avionics Launches Generation 2 EFIS
MGL Avionics "is pleased to announce a major step that represents the culmination of over 10 years of avionics development by the company." The firm has launched the Generation 2 versions of the popular Odyssey (10.4-inch) and Voyager (8.4-inch) EFIS units.
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.
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The "Community Airport Access and Protection Act of 2010" was introduced yesterday to Congress by the...
In Case You Missed It
Letters
Whole-Plane ParachutesI enjoy KITPLANES very much and look forward to every issue. But I've...
Fast Squeeze
Todd Rudberg’s RV-8 helps usher in a modern era of nitrous-oxide-assisted sport planes.
Flight Review: Back to the Future
Bob Grimstead offers an appreciation of the VariEze and its designer, Burt Rutan. Both the man and the design were ahead of their time.
Fast, Flat and Simple
Nearly every kit aircraft will require a large, flat worktable for some part of...