Flying in the Ford World
Sage philosopher and aviation nut Uncle Ishmael explains how, for about the price of a 4-year-old Ford pickup truck, you can own a serviceable homebuilt aircraft. Youll probably have to forgo anything certified, and hone your scrounging skills, but when all is said and done, isn't getting up in the air flying better than sitting on the ground dreaming?
Light Stuff
Inherent biases or previous experience can alter the perceptions of any product reviewer, but perceptions may change when one takes the time to investigate further, sometimes turning what was thought to be a detriment into something less significant. Such was the case when columnist Dave Martin revisited one feature (pilot visibility) of the Remos G-3 SLSA.
Around the Patch
Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook highlights an intriguing product that caught his eye at AirVenture Oshkosh 2007, and he reiterates the difficulty of bringing new engines to market.
What’s New
This months listing covers news from Avemco about aircraft insurance, a Europa update, a Sportys prop lock, and Sigma-Teks new electric attitude indicator; edited by Mary Bernard.
Product Review: Glass Panel
While new electronic flight instrument systems (EFISes) sometimes seem ubiquitous, PC Avionics new yourGlassPanel line stands out as an easily retrofittable blend of form and function that may fit the bill for homebuilders seeking a moderately priced primary or backup EFIS; by Marc Cook.
Common Cents
Home equity loans, building loans, credit cards: These are only a few of the ways that one can finance an airplane building project. But beware: Each option has its benefits and disadvantages, and the wise builder will consider these carefully before signing on the dotted line; by Dave Higdon.
Light Stuff
The Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association presented its 16th annual Presidents Award to Rotaxs Eric Tucker at Oshkosh/AirVenture this year. Tuckers history dovetails with LAMAs history, and each will play a significant role in the growing Light Sport Aircraft market; by Dave Martin.
Gear of the Year 2007
There's always something new to be had in the field of aviation-related equipment, and this year we stay on the beaten trail and wander off of it a bit with a new EFD/MFD, a build-it-yourself headset, a readily stowable inflatable tent, a headset boom light, a digital attitude indicator, an electronic flight bag and spiffy, low-draw LED landing lights; a Staff Report.
Around the Patch
Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook weighs the relative merits of perfectionism in building and maintaining homebuilts versus using the aircraft for its intended purpose: flying.
Unusual Attitude: GPS and Reality
While he admires and uses them, author Norm Ellis laments the lack of user-friendliness in todays GPS units. Editor Marc Cook counters that argument and extols the virtues of GPSes, complications or no, and their value in the cockpit.
In Case You Missed It
Are We There Yet?
We all know that building your own airplane is a project thats never really finished, and having a partner only complicates the process, as two viewpoints about necessary equipment must be reconciled before progress can be made. Such was the case when these two partners in an RV-9A tried to come to terms with what avionics a panel (and the pilots) really needs; by Roger Molthuis.
