![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?")
Homebuilt Aircraft Directory 2022
Here we are again with our annual “directory” of homebuilt aircraft that are available as kits, plans or both. The 2022 Homebuilt Aircraft Directory...
Trouble With Numbers
For better or worse, pilots can be an analytical bunch. Not all of them, of course, since many are what you’d call seat-of-the-pants types...
Garmin Smart Glide
New software that’s an extra layer of automation for
backstopping emergency deadstick landings.
Metal Magic: Making Square Instrument Holes In Aluminum
You've built most of your airplane, now it's time for cutting the instrument panel blank. KITPLANES editor at large Paul Dye shows you how...
Mike and Laura Starkey’s RANS S-21: Part 12
We have finally arrived at the “last 10%” of our RANS S-21 Outbound build—our to-do list whittled to a handful of items. In many...
Easy Slider: Part 3
In Part 2 we applied the last coat of primer and fixed any flaws. After wet sanding with 800-grit and one last cleaning, we’re...
E-Hawk in Paradise
A small group of students in a well-equipped private school have constructed an electric Experimental/Amateur-Built ultralight aircraft. They have done a spectacular job performing...
What’s the Deal With AN Hardware?
As a new kit builder, you may have wondered about that gold-colored AN hardware that must be used. What’s so special about this grade...
Solving a Calibration Conundrum
Of all things, I never dreamed that out of the 40+ screwdrivers and dozens of driver bits that I own, one day I’d need...
In Case You Missed It
All About Avionics, Part 9
One of the final steps in getting your avionics suite to work is installation of some sort of antenna to capture various radio frequencies. Failing to choose the right antenna and install it properly can compromise the whole installation. Rather than focusing on the intricacies of antenna design, the author discusses the merits of internal versus external for particular equipment plus where to place them; by Stein Bruch
17 Kits For Under $25K
Building economically can be done, but you’re going to be part of the cost savings.
