![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")
Around the Patch
Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook discusses the many virtues of Kifoxs new Super Sport, which will be powered by a Rotec radial.
Safety Is No Accident: Canards
The appeal of canard-type designs hasn't faded, and the design was heralded as inherently safer because of its resistance to stalling. Ron Wanttaja reveals the veracity of that claim given the accident numbers.
So Long, Lead
As the prospect of leaded aviation fuels fades into the sunset, the search is on for a replacement, and you may not like where things are headed. By Marc Cook.
Hands On: Soup to Nuts
Mike Loehle, of Loehle Aircraft, discusses the development of his aero coatings system and details some of the pre-paint prep process.
The Dawn Patrol
Dick Starks offers some sage advice about how to get back to working on a project that has been sidelined for too long.
An Aussie Take on Throttle-Body Fuel Injection
Rotec has a new throttle-body injection system that's worth looking at.
Ask the DAR
When do service bulletins have the force of law with regard to Experimental/Amateur-Builts?
Free Flight
There are many reasons that building your own airplane takes awhile. Columnist Paul Dye details the pitfalls of completing one seemingly simple maintenance task, which brings into focus the bigger picture.
Light Stuff
What do you get when you combine the ambiance of a military fighter with the design constraints of a Light Sport Aircraft? The MySky MS-1. By Dave Martin.
Around the Patch
Its unclear what will constitute the standard fuel for General Aviation once leaded fuel is phased out by the EPA. But what is clear is that the stakeholders need to become informed and voice their opinions to the decision-makers. By Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook.
In Case You Missed It
Design Process: Span and Aspect Ratio
At this point in the design process we have determined the wing area. The...
Build It Better: Testing, testing, one, two, three
There's no substitute for real-world testing--;something homebuilders should keep in mind when moving from the theoretical to the actual application.
Another Alternator Gotcha
Well, it seems to be the season for alternator problems, as just this week...