![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")
The Process
To the uninitiated, it looks like it’ll be done soon, doesn’t it? But “The Process” still has a long way to go.
Fear Not the Rivet Cutter
Kits these days are pretty good, as are their instructions. When they tell you to use an AD4-7 rivet in a particular hole, it's...
Hurricane Helene Relief Effort with a Can-Do Attitude
Hurricane Helene hit the Florida panhandle as a Category 4 storm—with winds of 130 to 156 mph—and then tracked north through Georgia, South Carolina...
We Have a Fixture!
I needed a fixture – and I decided that I’d just “Go Big” ad make it out of steel. This baby isn’t going anywhere!
Las Cruces Confidential
With so much new at Las Cruces last weekend there are details behind the racing worth noting.
Las Cruces A Win
From a Sport Class air racing perspective the Las Cruces Air and Space Expo held last weekend was a great success.
Sonex Approves Gross-Weight Increase
Sonex and Waiex owners may designate a max gross weight of 1220 pounds for aircraft with 100 hp or more.
Las Cruces Sport Qualifying
Expected top-qualifier Andrew Findlay ran into injector issues thanks to minor debris floating around the fuel system.
Sport Air Racing Livestream
A livestream feed from the Sport Class races so we can all follow the action as it happens.
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.
No Backshell and No Screw
I hate seeing D-sub connectors not supported or fastened correctly, as the wires will...