Exploring

Two RANS kits return to production, Aircraft Spruce offers the Castleberry electric attitude indicator, and two Six Chuter SLSAs are certified.

Surviving an emergency or crash landing in a remote area is just the beginning of staying alive long term. Thinking about what you might need and equipping yourself adequately for the type of flying you intend to do are essential to making it until help arrives.

When faced with the choice of going commercial or flying his RV-6 to Alaska, author Ken Scott opted to be pilot in command. Having never flown his plane on trips long enough to require an en-route fuel stop, he figured it was time. What ensued was the trip of a lifetime, with scenery only Alaska can offer, glimpses of aviation history, and flying challenges tempered by friendly encounters with the natives.

Sometimes its surprising to see homebuilt aircraft kits languishing in garages or hangars or workshops. Especially the quickbuilds, which raises the question of whether there's something about buying a QB kit that leads to procrastination. Columnist Dan Checkoway ponders the question, looking to his own experience for an answer.

Now in its fourth year, the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo, aka Sebring Expo, continues to grow, and presents a golden opportunity for Light Sport aircraft enthusiasts to see the latest and greatest additions to the category. Jim Lauerman of Avemco Insurance was also on hand to present a forum about insurance for LSAs.

Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook discusses the potential impact of changes to the FAAs 51% rule, which are the result of increasingly complex aircraft being constructed with the aid of builder-assistance programs.

The Jabiru LSA was certified, a new Sport Hornet is introduced, Vertical Power offers climate control in the cockpit, Cirrus is taking orders, an old favorite book title is back in print, the PT-6 firewall-forward package is now on a Turbo Grizzly, and an LED pilot pen lights the great write way; edited by Mary Bernard.

Few people have the opportunity to tour the kit manufacturers shop, let alone the manufacturing facilities of ancillary items such as engines, avionics and props. Author Bob Fritz remedies that last one by taking us on a tour of Sensenichs plant, and you'll marvel at the company's unique blend of old school and high tech.

Given the aviation accident statistics, its wise to stay sharp between flights, and one way to do that is to practice on a simulator. While that used to be cost prohibitive, todays simulators not only work well on your home computer, they offer homebuilt designs to fly; by Chuck Bodeen.

Is the mainstream medias portrayal of aviation incidents sensationalized or on target? Turns out they are right in some aspects, but lacking in others. Either way, the aviation accident rate illustrates that there's still room for improvement; by Amy Laboda.