![[Credit: Lisa Credit]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Experimental.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Have You Seen Your Oplims?")
![[Credit: Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/737_VGs2.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Vortex Generators")
![[Credit: Van's Aircraft]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Vans_RV14A.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Something New On The Horizon")
![[Credit: Lisa Turner]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Chute-Topaz-Gigapixel-2x-scale.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Should You Consider A Whole Aircraft Parachute?"){kind=tracking}
Editor’s Log
As Editor-in-Chief Mary Bernard steps down from her post at KITPLANES, she thanks the team that helps create the magazine each month and welcomes her successor, Paul Dye.
What’s New
Rockwell BenchJaws introduced, Kitfox Aircraft offers engine options, and Garmin debuts new VHF, nav/com radios.
Light Stuff
The rules around Letters of Deviation Authority are labyrinthine, which helps explain why they are relatively rare. But the problems could be—and should be—corrected through a few regulatory changes. By Roy Beisswenger.
Free Flight
To fly or not to fly? Often it depends on the weather, which can be uncertain. That’s why it’s good to have IFR clearance, and crucial to have a backup plan.
The Dawn Patrol
They may not be comfortable, and they don't go fast, but flying a WW-I plane is just plain fun. When you can share the experience with some American heroes, its even better.
Alternative Energies
While researchers seek electric flight’s Holy Grail—a 10X battery—aviation’s innovators are busy determining ways to use less fuel with the technology available now. By Dean Sigler.
Letters
Bivalve Solution?Studying your article on fuel systems “Keep it simple. Keep it safe.” , I agree simple is good. But is it possible that...
Something Wild
When a homebuilder has a vision for a unique paint scheme on his RV-3, he assembles a team that can bring it to life.
Firewall Forward: Ignition Systems
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines...but how? Dave Prizio considers some of the choices.
In Case You Missed It
Poison Alert
On January 20, 2022, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) petitioned the FAA with...
