![Ten hours of dual instruction in a tailwheel-equipped aircraft is usually required for proficiency. [Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_354747155.jpg?w=534&h=462&crop=1 "Learning How to Drag Your Tail")
![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=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")
Floating Nut Plates
The floating nut plate. It sounds like it should come with an allergy warning, but this is KITPLANES, not Pinterest, so we are discussing...
How Complete?
Back about 50 years ago, if you bought a kit for an aircraft, what you received was a set of crude plans, some notes...
Take Your Time Taking Delivery
There are identifiable times when flying becomes more dangerous. One that plays out in the homebuilt community is a new owner taking possession of...
Twice the Fun and Half the Cost
Everyone needs two airplanes—one for going places and another for fun. Getting that second plane, such as this Thorp, is a lot easier...
Timing
Building an airplane is something that requires not only specific shop skills and experience, it also takes a great deal of planning—at least if...
Screws Care, So Should You
A drill bit is not an heirloom. But if you have your grandpa's cigar box of drill bits, treat them as such and don't...
In Case You Missed It
A Highly Modified Gyroplane and a Piper, Christavia, Bearhawk, Zenith Mashup?
Question: I am building a gyroplane from pieces of an RAF 2000. I will...
Becoming a DAR
A designee is a private individual with the experience and skills necessary to do the work mandated for the FAA.