![Careful planning and determination will get you to your goal of building and flying your own airplane. [Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pulsar-Sunset.jpg?w=534&h=462&crop=1 "Last Bits")
![[Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_262642207_AGCuesta.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Winging It")
![Lowell Farrand spent years serving as an FAA DAR and is in the EAA Hall of Fame. He offers sound advise to builders. [Credit: Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-4.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Think Like a Builder")
![The 160 hp turbocharged Rotax 916iS is a four-stroke piston engine with redundant electronic fuel injection and ignition. [Credit: BPR Rotax]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PIC_916-iS_iSc-2.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "2026 Engine Buyer’s Guide")
![The alternative to bending down as the propeller is pulled through the compression stroke is to keep the back straight and bend the knees slightly, stepping away in a crouch. [Credit: LeRoy Cook]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_1519-scaled.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Manual Starting Methods")
![The newly-restored F-24 enjoying the morning sun. [All Images Credited to Mike Davenport]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DSC_0001.jpg?w=324&h=235&crop=1 "Golden Age Revival")
Golden Age Revival
Werner Griesbeck's meticulous total rebuild brings a classic 1938 Fairchild F-24 back into the air after decades.
![Humberd and his daughter using the 701 for some farm duty transportation. [All Images Credited to Jon Humberd]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1-3.jpg?w=324&h=235&crop=1 "Builder’s Spotlight")
Builder’s Spotlight
Part 22 of an ongoing Zenith 750SD Xtreme build, pushing the design further into extreme STOL performance territory.
![[Credit: Viking Aircraft Engines]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/engine.jpg?w=324&h=235&crop=1 "Editor’s Log")
Editor’s Log
A wide-ranging look at the myriad engine choices facing today's homebuilt aircraft builders, designers, and pilots.
![[Credit: Lisa Turner]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Inspections-1-scaled.jpg?w=324&h=235&crop=1 "Last Bits")
![Author Bill Wilson takes a break from measuring and cutting the Lexan windshield during his Onex build. [All Images Credit to Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image-2.jpg?w=324&h=235&crop=1 "Think Like A Builder")
![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=235&crop=1 "Winging It")
![[Credit: JetStream Rider]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_345999332.jpg?w=324&h=235&crop=1 "2026 Avionics and Lights Buyer’s Guide")
2026 Avionics and Lights Buyer’s Guide
The Homebuilt market in 2026 has more choices In avionics and lighting than ever.
![1936 Model 75 Boeing Stearman, s/n 003 now CF-TCQ. [Credit: Mike Davenport]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DSC_5743.jpg?w=324&h=235&crop=1 "1936 Boeing Stearman Rebuild")
![[Credit: Chat GPT]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Generated-image.jpg?w=324&h=235&crop=1 "Homebuilder’s Insurance")
![Checking out East Tennessee scenery from the 701. [Credit: Jon Humberd]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/3.jpg?w=324&h=235&crop=1 "Builder’s Spotlight")
In Case You Missed It
Narrowed Focus
A seemingly complicated part layout can be simplified by narrowing your focus from...
Error Chain
First flight surprise! There's a reason you should follow the plans when installing a canopy latch. By Mike Newell.
Detail Man
Master craftsman Andy Paterson's innovative finish work on a Glasair Sportsman polished the airplane to near perfection.