![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")
![[Credit: Wikimedia Commons]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/4_rutan_a_longez.jpg_preview.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Rutan Symposium Turns to the Coming Canard Maintenance Crisis")
![[Credit: Flight Desgn GmbH]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1_mosaic_flightdesign.jpg_preview.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "FAA Accepts ASTM Standards, Clearing the Last Hurdle for MOSAIC")
![[Credit: magniX]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magnix.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "magniX Opens Pre-Orders for an Electric Engine Aimed at Homebuilders")
Michel RV-9A
On July 2016 my RV-9A F-PRVN had its first flight. The building took 9 years and 15 days, really a slow build. To speed...
Booker Zenith Cruzer
After 3 years and 800 hours, N553BD made its inaugural flight. The Lycoming O-235-powered aircraft flew hands-off and climbs like a homesick angel. This...
Zenith Industry Spotlight
With no Sun ’n Fun happening this year, we took the opportunity to catch up with Zenith Aircraft’s Sebastien Heintz.
Garmin’s virtual Sun ‘n Fun experience with aviation webinars
With the cancellation of several marquee aviation events, Garmin is bringing an educational line-up of webinars to its customers. Ranging from an overview of...
The Virtual Fly-In
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and in these days of social isolation from COVID-19, aviators who still want to congregate for community support...
My New Toy: Rhino Label Maker
I’ve been accused of being interested in building and maintaining airplanes and motorcycles as cover for a bad case of tool want. From the...
Sun ‘n Fun Postponed Until 2021
The 46th annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo will not take place this year due to efforts to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Instead,...
Virtually There: Zenith Takes Next Builder Workshop Online
Instead of canceling an upcoming builder workshop, kit manufacturer Zenith Aircraft has turned it into a virtual affair. Zenith has been running a hands-on...
Ride the Wave!
Oh, for a sailplane on a day like today! I took off on a short after-breakfast flight to do a little post-maintenance test hop....
Kit-Aircraft Manufacturers: Okay So Far (UPDATED)
Many small manufacturers have been able to stay open with a combination of work-from-home employees, reconfigured manufacturing, and other tweaks.
In Case You Missed It
Alternative Energies
Electric Light Sport Aircraft are few and far between, owing primarily to the heavy batteries eating into LSA weight restrictions. The Alternair Amp is poised to change all that. By Dean Sigler.
Roll Your Own
Builders Ken Scott and Ken Kruegers unique project is off the drawing board and into production. They're working with the engine builder, the wing is behind them, the nosebowl is taking shape-and the fuselage is taking over the living room;
Fixed-Pitch Props
Choosing a prop for your homebuilt is always a compromise that involves consideration of cost, performance, how you'll fly and more. Still, sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.