![Careful planning and determination will get you to your goal of building and flying your own airplane. [Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pulsar-Sunset.jpg?w=534&h=462&crop=1 "Last Bits")
![[Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_262642207_AGCuesta.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Winging It")
![Lowell Farrand spent years serving as an FAA DAR and is in the EAA Hall of Fame. He offers sound advise to builders. [Credit: Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-4.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Think Like a Builder")
![The 160 hp turbocharged Rotax 916iS is a four-stroke piston engine with redundant electronic fuel injection and ignition. [Credit: BPR Rotax]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PIC_916-iS_iSc-2.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "2026 Engine Buyer’s Guide")
![The alternative to bending down as the propeller is pulled through the compression stroke is to keep the back straight and bend the knees slightly, stepping away in a crouch. [Credit: LeRoy Cook]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_1519-scaled.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Manual Starting Methods")
Maintenance Matters
Veteran A&P Steve Ells explains the basics of setting up and organizing your home workshop, and the tools you'll need to complete and maintain your project.
The STOL Equation
Barnaby Wainfan explains the challenges designers face in creating viable STOL aircraft.
2012 Plansbuilt Buyer’s Guide
The 2012 Plansbuilt Buyer’s Guide features 138 designs for those who prefer the challenge of building an aircraft from scratch.
Steen Skybolt
The Steen Skybolt is a fabric-covered, wood-ribbed biplane that is built for aerobatics—and doesn’t disappoint. By Ed Wischmeyer.
Letters
Hot or Not?Since it's blazing hot here on the Great Plains, I was excited to see the September issue when I opened the mailbox....
Editor’s Log
Editor Mary Bernard makes the case for presenting the annual Aircraft Buyer's Guides data in a new, more useful form.
What’s New
Find welding resources at USAWeld.com, Ztron Labs offers an alternative to conventional aircraft circuit breakers, and record your flights with the AV-HD video system from Data Toys. Edited by Abby Ventzke.
Viewfinder
Marc Cook looks at the possibility of Glasair Aviation initiating a new Two Weeks to Taxi builder-assistance program for the Van's RV-10.
The Dawn Patrol
Dick Starks and the members of The Kansas City Dawn Patrol head out to take part in the Annual Salute to Veterans Airshow in Columbia, Missouri.
In Case You Missed It
Letters
Engine Assembly Sealants and LubricantsI enjoyed Dave Prizio's article, "Choosing the Right Sealant" ....
Finding the Source
While on a routine technical counselor consultation, Paul Dye discovered hidden treasure: Richard VanGrunsven’s original RV-1. He details a bit about its history and preparations for its planned tour this summer.
