![[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}
Ask the DAR
Major changes to your homebuilt aircraft require sign off by the FAA. Mel Asberry explains how to keep it legal.
Aero ‘lectrics
There are many ways to check the accuracy of your airplanes tachometer. From the commonplace to the offbeat, Jim Weir explains their benefits and drawbacks.
Interference Drag Adds Up
Barnaby Wainfan explains the role of properly designed wing-fuselage junctions in reducing interference drag.
Riding the Radial Rocket RG
The Radial Rocket TD already had a following, but with some tweaking and the addition of retractable gear, the new Radial Rocket RG is poised to take off. By Ed Kolano.
Editor’s Log
Mary Bernard discusses staff changes at KITPLANES and the new series and columns that are making their debut this month.
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.
In Case You Missed It
Ask the DAR
We begin a short series that looks at the particulars of a homebuilt aircrafts operating limitations. Have you read yours?
Letters
Tungsten
In Eric Stewart's article, "Titans of Tungsten" , he mentioned using tungsten as a...