![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")
Safety Is No Accident: Canards
The appeal of canard-type designs hasn't faded, and the design was heralded as inherently safer because of its resistance to stalling. Ron Wanttaja reveals the veracity of that claim given the accident numbers.
So Long, Lead
As the prospect of leaded aviation fuels fades into the sunset, the search is on for a replacement, and you may not like where things are headed. By Marc Cook.
Hands On: Soup to Nuts
Mike Loehle, of Loehle Aircraft, discusses the development of his aero coatings system and details some of the pre-paint prep process.
The Dawn Patrol
Dick Starks offers some sage advice about how to get back to working on a project that has been sidelined for too long.
An Aussie Take on Throttle-Body Fuel Injection
Rotec has a new throttle-body injection system that's worth looking at.
Ask the DAR
When do service bulletins have the force of law with regard to Experimental/Amateur-Builts?
Free Flight
There are many reasons that building your own airplane takes awhile. Columnist Paul Dye details the pitfalls of completing one seemingly simple maintenance task, which brings into focus the bigger picture.
Light Stuff
What do you get when you combine the ambiance of a military fighter with the design constraints of a Light Sport Aircraft? The MySky MS-1. By Dave Martin.
Letters
Confluence Avenue I enjoyed Paul Dyes Free Flight column, A confluence of little things, in the August issue. Id like to make my...
In Case You Missed It
Buying Trouble-Purchased Homebuilt Accident Rates
Up to half the homebuilt fleet is owned by non-builders.
Second Hand is First Rate
Pitts happens when you have 11 months, talent, friends, spare parts, and a little cash.
Safety Is No Accident: Glasair and GlaStar
Ron Wanttaja examines the accident data for the Glasair and GlaStar designs and finds structural support may play a key role.
DIY Adjustable Rib Centerline Marking Tool
As a new builder I came quickly to the step of needing to mark rib centerlines to align the ribs with the predrilled holes in the skin.