![Pat McKiernan has found that he and his dad who built this beautiful RV-7 simply learned to enjoy the build. [Credit: Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Builder.jpg?w=534&h=462&crop=1 "Life Lessons From Building an Airplane")
![[Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_51865118.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "FAA MOSAIC Rule Fully Implemented")
![My 36 year old clipboard from when I started at Boeing. Engineering ruler and fastener/fastener hole cheat sheets. [Credit: Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Liaison_clipboard.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "What Is a Liaison Engineer?")
![At Sun ‘n Fun 2026, Viking Aircraft Engines surprised the crowd with its first complete kit — the V-42, a high-wing twin powered by two Honda-based engines. Here’s an early look. [Credit: Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/P1020293.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Viking V-42 Twin")
![A STOL CH 750 [Credit: Mike Davenport]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/STOL-CH-750.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Why Are So Many Airplanes Yellow?")
Over the Hump
For my wife and me, it was important to have our kids learn a musical instrument. We lost out to sports with our son,...
Fit and Trim
A first flight reveals truths that only air moving over an aircraft’s surfaces can reveal. Will the engine cool properly? Will the cockpit fill...
Gathering
Longtime readers may recall that before scribbling in aviation magazines I scribbled in automotive magazines. That seems like someone else’s life a long time...
Firewall Forward: Baffling
In the final installment of KITPLANES Firewall Forward, editor at large Paul Dye takes a close look at engine cooling for air-cooled aircraft. Learn...
Archive: May 2003
The Acro-Sport II was on our May 2003 cover, followed by a flight review of a “biplane with an interesting family history.” Well, who...
Building the ‘Beater – Part 1
In my “New Sojourn” column in the July 2022 issue, I told you I was committed to building a Hummingbird helicopter. I have begun...
What You Should Know About Hoses
KITPLANES editor at large Paul Dye takes you through a brief tour of the common firewall-forward hoses and discusses what to look for when...
Panel for the Idiot Light, Part 2
Given the compact nature of the Radiant Bingo 3 LED assembly, I figured mounting it would be a matter of finding some vacant real...
In Case You Missed It
Alternative Energies
Three new aircraft, Synergy, Pipistrel Panthera and Volta Volare, are pushing the innovation envelope with their propulsion systems, performance and fuel economy. By Dean Sigler.
Contributors
Stein Bruch
Starting the new year, we welcome Stein Bruch back to resume his extremely...
