![Maintenance technician William Vergonet conducts an inspection on a Cub. [Credit: Lisa Turner]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IMG_3535.jpg?w=534&h=462&crop=1 "Post-Flight Maintenance Debrief")
![Pat McKiernan has found that he and his dad who built this beautiful RV-7 simply learned to enjoy the build. [Credit: Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Builder.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Life Lessons From Building an Airplane")
![[Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_51865118.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "FAA MOSAIC Rule Fully Implemented")
![My 36 year old clipboard from when I started at Boeing. Engineering ruler and fastener/fastener hole cheat sheets. [Credit: Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Liaison_clipboard.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "What Is a Liaison Engineer?")
![At Sun ‘n Fun 2026, Viking Aircraft Engines surprised the crowd with its first complete kit — the V-42, a high-wing twin powered by two Honda-based engines. Here’s an early look. [Credit: Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/P1020293.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Viking V-42 Twin")
What’s New
Simplex Aeroplanes offers discounted plans for its Cloudster Ultralight, and Superior Air Parts has resumed shipping its Experimental XP Series engines to dealers.
Viewfinder
Mark Cook revisits George Happs RANS S-19 project to see how the Rotax 914 installation has panned out.
Alternative Energies
As the powers that be debate the future of 100LL, participants at the Fifth Annual Electric Aircraft Symposium pondered how to make the alternatives more practical and efficient. By Dean Sigler.
Down To Earth
The founders of the Solar Impulse Project build on their successes with a planned around-the-world flight and a stopover at the Paris Air Show. By Amy Laboda.
Light Stuff
Roy Beisswenger reports from Beach Blast 2011, the third annual PPG beach fly-in held each May at Panama City Beach, Florida.
Letters
The Thrill Is Gone...Somewhat I love KITPLANES magazine and haven't missed an issue in the past 15 years. Being a builder of one...
The Ultimate Upgrade
Veteran pilots and kit builders, Wendell and Martha Solesbee make the reasoned decision to embark on a Lancair Evo build—the ultimate upgrade to their already-impressive homebuilt fleet.
Ask the DAR
Ready to perform aerobatics with your new homebuilt? Not so fast! The operating limitations dictate what's required first.
In Case You Missed It
Rotax Training for the 9 Series
Lockwood Aviation helps you get a full understanding of the four-stroke Rotax.
Gear of the Year 2008
Most of the attendees at Oshkosh AirVenture each year seek out the latest, greatest, craziest, most innovative gear they can find, and our KITPLANES crew is no exception. This year we've come up with some brand new gadgets and some items that have escaped our attention till now but shouldn't have; a staff report.