A SubSonex personal jet in aerobatic flight. Thea design will expand with a two-place model kit in the months ahead. [Credit: Sonex Aircraft]

Sonex Reopens

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On the last Friday in March, Mark Schaible sat down in front of a camera at the Sonex factory in Oshkosh and told the...
A CubCrafter’s Carbon Cub headed to Sun ‘n Fun in the time-honored tradition. [Credit: CubCrafters]

Sun ‘n Fun 2026 Highlights: Electric RV-10, Modular Avionics, and MOSAIC

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By the time the first twilight aerobatic act lit up the new “Composite Airshow” on Wednesday night, it was obvious that Sun ’n Fun...
A CFI talks a pilot through the checklist — a step toward scraping off years of rust and getting back into the air. [Credit: LeRoy Cook]

Returning to Flying

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"I haven’t flown for quite a while," starts the conversation. “I was wondering if you could brush me up a bit and get me...
[Credit: Mike Davenport]

Glasair Sportsman 2+2 Build Part 3

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In parts one and two of this builder’s story, I described Sean Walker’s progress to get from opening the first crate through to the...
A sleek Glasair II. [Credit: Glasair]

Class of ’86: How 1986 Transformed the Modern Kit Building Industry

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Forty years ago this year, Chris Heintz’s CH701 first flew. That alone would be reason enough for a celebration. The 701 is one of...
[Credit: ChatGPT]

Last Bits

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Becky stood back from the RV-7 and admired every inch of the newly constructed airplane. She’d made her first flight a month ago and...
The best builders learn to combine both mindsets. They build like engineers but think like future mechanics. [Credit: Bill Wilson]

Building vs. Fixing

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Somewhere during every aircraft project, a builder faces a quiet moment of truth. It might happen while drilling a hole in a structural member,...
[Credit: Wikimedia Commons]

Odd and Unusual Aircraft

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If you look at the books in my library, and by that, I mean the ones on the shelves, not the ones next to......
After nearly 75 years, the basic Tailwind design remains sound. [Credit: LeRoy Cook]

The Wittman Tailwind

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Still viable in an age of uber-expensive composite homebuilts, the Wittman Tailwind continues to attract builders seeking maximum performance on minimum cost. Plans for...
Trimming composites gets the full PPE job. [Credit: Eric Stewart]

A Few of My Favorite Tools

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Occasionally I see articles by colleagues on their favorite tools (a somewhat less controversial topic than favorite airplanes). I’ve had a growing list in...

In Case You Missed It

Ask the DAR

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This month DAR Mel Asberry addresses what it takes to build to LSA requirements, why importing an ultralight from Canada can be problematic, and when ELTs are required.

Firewall Forward: Choosing Your Engine

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Many factors go into choosing the right engine for your homebuilt. In Part 1 of this new series, Dave Prizio provides an overview of the options available in Lycoming and Lycoming-type engines, and what you need to consider when making a decision.
Thorp T-18 rudder with taillight

Adding a Taillight to a Completed Rudder

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A creative, low-impact solution for mounting a light without cutting up your rudder.

Going Retractable

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The ups and downs of retractable gear.