Engine Beat
What makes an excellent Experimental exhaust system? High quality 321 stainless tubes, neat welds and flex points. By Steve Ells.
Light Stuff
Dave Martin finds a Light Sport seaplane at the 2009 Sebring LSA Expo that made a real splash.
Letters
Antennas Up! I have enjoyed following To Launch a Light Sport, by Bob Fritz. His recent effort discussed a couple of common problems...
What’s New
Lycoming offers zero-time, factory-rebuilt engines to pilots and owners for the cost of a factory overhaul, in exchange for a first-run core; RPX Technologies introduces the simple and straightforward DynaVibe prop and rotor balancer. Edited by Mary Bernard.
Around the Patch
Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook takes note of the good, bad and the uncapitalized in public reactions to a recent aircraft accident. He encourages knowledgeable pilots, builders and enthusiasts to counter the public rantings of armchair crackpots with kindness and courage. Also, a tip of the buttonless cap to Omar Filipovic, KITPLANES.coms new webmaster, for his savvy work to create a more lively and flexible web site.
25th Anniversary: Rutan’s Take
Burt Rutan's elegant and efficient aircraft-and spacecraft-designs are in a league of their own. Amy Laboda looks at Rutan's legacy, what he's doing now, and why he may never retire.
Insurance Update: Experimentals and LSAs
Despite recent economic traumas, the aviation insurance industry has continued to support Experimental and LSA aircraft. The keys for the builder/pilot? Proficiency, training, and availability of parts and service for the airplane.
Aero ‘lectrics
Jim Weir shows you how to create and install LED lights and run them from ships power inexpensively and easily.
Wind Tunnel
Barnaby Wainfan explores the optimum size of a wing and the best ways to balance performance and efficiency.
In Case You Missed It
To Dream The (Almost Impossible) Dream
Almost from the beginning of aviation, the idea of a plane you could drive/car you could fly has captured both the popular imagination and the hearts of some dedicated experimentalists. The dream remains alive, and realization, the author says, is fettered only by the lack of willing investors; by Murry L. Rozansky.
