![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")
All About Avionics: Wire Stripping and Crimping
Wire stripping and crimping might seem like a basic skills, but when done improperly can have nasty consequences. Stein Bruch gives an overview of the proper tools and methods you'll need to keep your avionics humming.
Experimotive
The Dyna-Cam engine has a long history and an uncertain future. Despite its positive attributes, you still cant buy one.
Sim World
With X-Plane, you don't have to wait until the paint is dry to start test-flying your homebuilt project. A remarkable simulation will allow you to do that early on. By Chuck Bodeen.
Ask the DAR
Periodic inspections are a necessary part of homebuilt aircraft ownership. Mel Asberry explains which ones are needed and how they differ from the certificated aircraft variety.
Aero ‘lectrics
Break out your laptops, iPhones and iPads. There is a new batch of apps and other software that can help pilots chart their course when traveling cross-country.
Understanding and Avoiding Spins
A pilots ability to recover from a spin depends just as much on the design characteristics of the airplane as on stick-and-rudder skills.
Higher, Faster, Stronger
Glasair’s decision to turbocharge its Sportsman model opened up the door to additional design considerations and refinements. But getting to the desired performance has proved challenging. By Marc Cook.
The Dawn Patrol
Hummel UltraCruiser builder Dennis Brooks came to Liberty Landing looking for a place to store his airplane, and left with some new friends and a test flight courtesy of The Dawn Patrol.
Light Stuff
Roy Beisswenger discusses the impact of the FAAs LODA order allowing Light Sport instructors to resume training with their Experimental aircraft.
In Case You Missed It
The “Flying by Feel” Fallacy
Smart pilots embrace tools like AoA systems to reduce risk—not ego-driven notions of flying solely 'by feel.'
2012 Engine Buyer’s Guide
In Part 1 of our 2012 Engine Buyer’s Guide, Marc Cook explores what’s currently available in traditional powerplants, and why such engines might be the best choice for your homebuilt aircraft needs.
