Exploring

Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook takes note of the good, bad and the uncapitalized in public reactions to a recent aircraft accident. He encourages knowledgeable pilots, builders and enthusiasts to counter the public rantings of armchair crackpots with kindness and courage. Also, a tip of the buttonless cap to Omar Filipovic, KITPLANES.coms new webmaster, for his savvy work to create a more lively and flexible web site.

Burt Rutan's elegant and efficient aircraft-and spacecraft-designs are in a league of their own. Amy Laboda looks at Rutan's legacy, what he's doing now, and why he may never retire.

Despite recent economic traumas, the aviation insurance industry has continued to support Experimental and LSA aircraft. The keys for the builder/pilot? Proficiency, training, and availability of parts and service for the airplane.

Amy Laboda takes a slow flight down Memory Lane. The rich history of the Kitfox over the last 25 years has had its challenges and happy endings.

As Dick Starks rouses the Dawn Patrol, he recalls his aeronautically inspired familiarity with grain crops, and a nimble performance of the Nieuport Stomp.

As Lycoming and Continental vie for market share, the two power players are updating and improving long-existing engine designs and introducing new products to meet demand. By Steve Ells.

As environmental regulations and market pressures converge on avgas boutique industry, Amy Laboda investigates whats going on in energy research… and whats to come.

Do you need to run your engine for the DAR? How does using a certified engine and prop affect your Phase I test period? How about the gray areas regarding dual flight instruction? DAR Mel Asberry gives you the straight scoop.

A bit of Brazil: Dave Martin flies the Paradise P-1 SLSA at the Sebring LSA Expo show.

Attendance may have been down a bit with the slumping economy, but that didn't stop innovators from introducing new products for homebuilt aviation. A Staff Report.