![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?")
Working With Experience
Part of my job is surprisingly solitary, moving words and photos around from my home office and corresponding with my staff and regular contributors...
Metal Magic: Using Reamers For Accurate Holes
Sometimes a drill bit just won't do. When you want accurate, perfectly round holes in aluminum, you need to use a reamer. KITPLANES editor...
Get Grounded
It’s almost cliche. You’re having intermittent noise or performance issues in your avionics suite, and someone says, “It’s probably a bad ground.” The truth...
Importing From Canada, Selling in Phase I
Question: There is this nice RV-4 available for sale in Canada. It’s been built by an experienced builder. They have flown the airplane for...
Dealing With Off-Nominal: Part 1
Taking a closer look at “off-nominal” flight experiences and what to do about them.
Avionics Dropout
In this case, the non-builder owner stated that the avionics, including his EFIS, would intermittently drop out while in flight and sometimes even on...
Prop Job
How often do you wander the flight line and see a classic aircraft with a propeller that just makes you stop and go “Wow!”...
Being Cool
Despite Newton’s claims, those of us who have been upside down, under the panel, with sweat dripping uphill, know that there are sopping exceptions...
How the Bead Goes On
Welded assemblies (also known as weldments) can be found on just about every airplane. Even my Jabiru, which is 99% fiberglass, has a tubular-steel...
In Case You Missed It
Design Process: CG Loading
Empty weight and empty CG of the airplane are fixed and do not vary from flight to flight. The same cannot be said of its contents.
The Dawn Patrol
They may not be comfortable, and they don't go fast, but flying a WW-I plane is just plain fun. When you can share the experience with some American heroes, its even better.
Importing From Canada, Selling in Phase I
Question: There is this nice RV-4 available for sale in Canada. It’s been built...