![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?")
Consider a Second Look
I would chance a guess that most aircraft kits are primarily built by one person. While some projects are constructed by groups or teams...
Firewall Forward: Compression Testing
Unlock the mysteries of the aircraft-engine leakdown test, otherwise known as the differential compression test. KITPLANES engine meister Paul Dye breaks down the process...
Cogswell’s Molds
Some of the many cool details of Steve Cogswell’s RV project from last month’s column were the fiberglass parts made to conceal various lightening...
Can You Hear Me Now?
For those of you in aircraft with magnificent audio systems—stereo music and multi-input switching panels that have push-button selection of your half-dozen headphone inputs—this...
No Backshell and No Screw
I hate seeing D-sub connectors not supported or fastened correctly, as the wires will eventually break. In this case, two broken wires on the...
Design Process: Vertical Tail Functions–Yaw Stability and Damping
The vertical tail performs multiple tasks to stabilize and control the airplane. This month we will explore what the vertical tail contributes to the...
Firewall Forward: Spark Plug Maintenance
KITPLANES editor at large Paul Dye goes into detail on how to inspect and maintain conventional aircraft spark plugs in the latest installment of...
Dispatches from Florida
There was a time when we had multiple airshows and events in a year that had at their center (or near to it) Experimental...
Light Up
When I first started construction on my RV-10 in 2007, old-school incandescent lights were making their way out of the market and LEDs were...
In Case You Missed It
![The newly-restored F-24 enjoying the morning sun. [All Images Credited to Mike Davenport]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DSC_0001.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Golden Age Revival")
Golden Age Revival
Werner Griesbeck's meticulous total rebuild brings a classic 1938 Fairchild F-24 back into the air after decades.
Preparing for Your First Flight
The paperwork, the plane, and the pilot must come together for success.
Simulating Emergencies
Given the aviation accident statistics, its wise to stay sharp between flights, and one way to do that is to practice on a simulator. While that used to be cost prohibitive, todays simulators not only work well on your home computer, they offer homebuilt designs to fly; by Chuck Bodeen.
Metal Magic: Should You Bother Priming?
Paul Dye wraps up the KITPLANES Metal Magic series with a discussion of whether...