What’s New
Lights, engines, action. Kuntzleman Electronics debuts landing-taxi-recognition LED lights; the Sherpa flies again behind the K650 Honeywell turbine; and Fisher Flying Products gets ready to resume production from its new factory in Ontario, Canada. Edited by Mary Bernard.
ACT III
With numerous world records in his pocket, Bruce Bohannon is trying to figure out his next trick.Holder of 30 world speed and altitude records, Flyin Tiger pilot Bruce Bohannon has even higher aspirations for his one-of-a-kind plane: a place in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Amy Laboda spent some quality time with Bohannon talking about the technology and the team behind Flyin Tiger, emergency training instruction, and looking ahead to his next goal.
Cool Runnings
Norm Ellis does the math and shows you how to select the right oil cooler for your engine-cooling package. Given the critical role oil temperature plays in engine health, its a good idea to go beyond selecting the smallest, lightest and cheapest cooler you can find.
To Launch a Light Sport
Bob Fritz presses on! In this installment, he powers up the Grand Rapids Technologies EFIS panel, solves a curious com antenna problem, installs the Zaon PCAS, fits the door to the fuselage’s curvature, and streamlines the air flow to the oil cooler.
Aero ‘lectrics
Jim Weir continues his series on digital logic (CMOS), and makes the little logic circuits do things that their inventors never considered.
Wind Tunnel
Accelerate, pull and fly-thats not all there is to the takeoff. Barnaby Wainfan takes a second-by-second look at the aerodynamics of the takeoff: when it works, and when it doesn't.
The Home Machinist
Phillips? Flat head? Double blade? Bob Fritz clears up questions you didn't even know you had about screwdrivers. When you're building a plane, the right tool for the right job (and right space) really does matter.
Cable-Exit Fairings
Don't let unsightly cable-exit holes spoil the look or performance of your aircraft.
All About Avionics: Autopilots
Want to be fresh at the end of a long flight? Experimental-only autopilots beat their certified counterparts. They're usually less expensive, more capable and far more user-serviceable (if you know what you're doing). By Stein Bruch.
![Last Bits 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)
![Winging It [Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_262642207_AGCuesta.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1)
![Think Like a Builder 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)
![2026 Engine Buyer’s Guide 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)
![Manual Starting Methods 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)












