![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=534&h=462&crop=1 "Viking V-42 Twin")
![[Credit: Van's Aircraft]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_5238.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Part 22 Gets Real: Van’s Delivers the First MOSAIC-Certified Airplane")
![Backcountry manners intact: the ULT sits on a grass strip with the turbine spun up, built on the STOL-capable Carbon Cub UL airframe. [Credit: CubCrafters]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-20-at-11.12.13-AM.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "The New Jetprop Carbon Cub")
![[All images credited to Mike Davenport]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/DSC_6716.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Glasair Sportsman 2+2, Part Two")
![Dragging it in low and slow for the STOL competition. [Credit: Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SnF_dragging_in.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Sun ’n Fun 2026 Recap: Avionics Upgrades, Thorp Kits, and STOL Action")
National Association of Flight Instructors Helps Kit Builders Become Safe Fliers
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) held its Master Flight Instructor Breakfast Friday morning at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, and one Master...
Aerospoiler System Foils Storm Damage
Tim Tuinder knows about hurricanes. He and his wife, Sharon, run a missionary air service, Harvest Air, out of Puerto Rico, supporting orphanages in...
Lightspeed Aviation Announces Improvements to Zulu Headset
http://www.lightspeedaviation.com/ A lot of buzz has surrounded LightSPEED Aviation's newest ANR headset, the Zulu, introduced at AirVenture 2007, with the first sets shipping in September 2007. Featuring Bluetooth connectivity between the headset and your cellphone, MP3 player or other compatible devices, LightSPEED has integrated current (and convenient) technology with the headset's aviation-specific features. It's drawn a natural comparison with Bose's Headset X, however, at $850, it's priced about $150 below the Bose price point. …
A New Spin on Plane Power
http://www.msquaredaircraft.com/ While this M-Squared ultralight may not look like a Mazda RX-8 sports car, its powerplant does share the same rotary-engine technology, with a single-rotor mill that made five big guys strain to hold it back during a runup test in Paradise City. So power, apparently, isn't lacking.Better still, M-Squared boss Paul Mather (second from left) tells us he's shooting for an engine-and-all price for this machine in the $15,000 range.…
LightSPEED Aviation Announces Improvements to Zulu ANR Headset
A lot of buzz has surrounded LightSPEED Aviation's newest ANR headset, the Zulu, introduced at AirVenture 2007, with the first sets shipping in September...
First Corvair-Powered 701 at Sun 'n Fun! Well… Almost
A funny thing happened on the way to Sun 'n Fun this year. Pilot Gus Warren and the first Corvair-powered Zenith CH 701 were...
A New Spin on Plane Power
While this M-Squared ultralight may not look like a Mazda RX-8 sports car, its powerplant does share the same rotary-engine technology, with a single-rotor...
Cub Reporter Mandy Wainfan on Sun 'n Fun
Imagine seeing an airshow from the eyes of a nine-year old.Mandy Wainfan has been taking photos for, oh, 4 months now and has been...
InDUS Aviation Announces Diesel LSA
The folks at InDUS Aviation, manufacturers of the Thorpedo Light Sport Aircraft and kit have done it again. The Thorpedo was the first new...
Say "Hello" to the Xenon Gyroplane…
KITPLANES' own Amy Laboda took up the opportunity to fly something new in rotorcraft and put to use her gyro rating with a turn...
In Case You Missed It
Ask the DAR
How do you know when the sum of purchased parts exceeds the 51% rule? Does the data plate have to match the registration? DAR Mel Asberry answers these questions and more.
What’s the Future of Homebuilding?
Some builders of Experimental/Amateur-Built aircraft are builders in name only, deferring primary construction of the aircraft to the pros. So concluded the FAA, which is determined to clamp down on those who would flout the 51% rules. What does it mean to regular homebuilders? Those who are building now will be unaffected, but for future builders, the FAAs guidance revisions could be significant.
Ask the DAR
Is replacing one panel with another considered a major modification? And what is a “significant” change to weight and balance?
