![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")
What’s New
Zeniths CH 750 kit is NKET compliant, Sportys launches new E6B app for iPhone and Inogens bottleless oxygen system. Edited by Mary Bernard.
Product Review: Spidertracks
As we move away from 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters, alternatives in the realm of personal locator beacons and trackers continue to flourish. Spidertracks of New Zealand is one of the newest. By Marc Cook.
Safety is No Accident: Avid and Kitfox
This month Ron Wanttaja looks at two similar designs, Avid and Kitfox, which have some major distinctions when it comes to the accident numbers.
The Dawn Patrol
Built in to any aircraft construction project is time for head scratching and trying to recall why you just walked from one end of the shop to the other. These are some of the most valuable moments.
What’s The Worst That Could Happen?
When you're tempted to take shortcuts during a build or repair without asking questions about the ramifications, it may be wise to contemplate the worst-case scenario.
Engine Beat
The Rotax 912 engine has become ubiquitous in homebuilt aviation, and now a company has found a way to improve its fuel efficiency. By Steve Ells.
Experimotive
Bud Warrens Geared Drives has entered the firewall-forward business with promising results thanks to a new PSRU. By Rick Lindstrom.
Ask the DAR
This month DAR Mel Asberry tackles questions about modifying an aircraft and the flight testing required, what should be on a dataplate, and what you need to know about getting an airworthiness certificate after completing a partially built aircraft.
Light Stuff
Another European SLSA reaches American shores in the form of Tecnams high-wing, high-style, partially carbon-fiber Tecnam P2008. By Dave Martin.
