![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")
2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer’s Guide
Some 320 current designs are arrayed with photos and specifications to beat the band. Compiled by Cory Emberson.
Safety Is No Accident: Zenith
Ron Wanttaja examines the accident data for two of Zenith Aircrafts most popular designs, the CH 601 and CH 701.
Record Opportunities
Disqualified from flying under the U.K.s strict aeromedical requirements, Steve Wood has nonetheless made a life of piloting his own airplane and promoting aviation while acquiring numerous world records along the way.
Product Review: Inogen Aviator
Marc Cook flies with the new Inogen oxygen system for aviation and offers a clear-headed appraisal of the systems benefits.
The Dawn Patrol
When the rains came to Oshkosh, it wasn't enough to get the intrepid Dawn Patrol coterie down. Dick Starks says thanks for the memories.
Free Flight
Filing IFR gives you the flexibility to take advantage during fluctuating weather conditions rather than being at the mercy of them.
Down to Earth
Amy Laboda has watched her first homebuilt (Kitfox) aircraft and her second daughter come of age in a way that illustrates some parallels between the two.
Letters
Shocking, Absolutely Shocking I was disappointed on many levels in your editorial Making electric aircraft exciting. I love KITPLANES for the diverse...
News from E-Mag, Levil, and Sensenich
E-Mag offers an electronic mag for the IO-540, Levil has a PC-based EFIS, and Sensenich introduces a composite ground-adjustable prop for the RV crowd. Edited by Mary Bernard.
In Case You Missed It
The Home Machinist
This months feature offers a three-in-one discussion that includes how to use the steady rest to work with any material that extends beyond the chuck, a review of Googles SketchUp program that will allow you to get designing on your home computer quickly, and notes on how to make an indispensable tool for the home machinist; by Bob Fritz.
