![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=534&h=462&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=265&h=198&crop=1 "Golden Age Revival")
![[Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AdobeStock_176619176.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Instructional Inflexibility")
![sideview shows the Better Half with the full VW case. [Credit: Legal Eagle Airplane]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Milholland-V-Twin_Side-View.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Better Half VW")
What’s the DAR’s Role?
Question: I know that you are active on the Van’s Air Force (VAF) site, so I thought I might direct some questions to you...
Learning Glass
Old dog, new tricks. We see the discussion of EFIS digital instruments versus round steam gauges on homebuilders forums every week. There are all...
Museum of Flying Art
Being a military brat, we moved around some when I was a kid. Having good parents meant we sampled the local fare as much...
Good Fundamentals
I am often asked what it takes to fly many different airplanes, especially when some are prototypes for which very little data exists. My...
Failure to Launch
This month’s column is not about unmotivated or overaged adolescents living in Mom’s basement, nor honeymoon disasters. This is much more serious than those...
Shop in Comfort
I’ve confessed to building Metal Illness in a space that many, or most, would rate less than ideal. In my defense, my brain’s right...
In Case You Missed It
Installing and Maintaining Your Pitot-Static System
The pitot-static system is usually one of those items appearing on your to-do list...
![Air Salvage of Dallas is one of the largest and longest-established aircraft salvage yards, with a very large inventory. [Credit: Air Salvage of Dallas]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/5225124_orig.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Salvage Parts")