You Don’t Need a Weatherman to Know Which Way the Wind...
Yes, you do, if you’re going to fly safely. And while there are a lot of websites out there that give...
News: On Changes to 51% Rule Guidance, VanGrunsven “Cautiously optimistic.”
Among the current kit manufacturers, Van’s Aircraft is indisputably the volume leader. Nearly 5600 RVs are flying, and like all other kit manufacturers, the...
Update: Dan Parker's Altitude Attempt
KITPLANES readers will recall a recent article about Dan Parker and his High Flyer (January 2008 issue). He is in the process of...
News: Reworked Guidance for Kitbuilt Aircraft on the Way
Will revised Advisory Circulars kill builder assistance?Last Friday, the FAA published the final report from the Amateur-Built Aircraft Aviation Rulemaking Committee that outlines plans...
KITPLANES Magazine Newsblog Goes Live!
Welcome to the KITPLANES newsblog, where you will find the latest news and views on the world of homebuilt aviation. This is not intended...
2008 Plans Aircraft Directory
If cash is scarce and time is abundant, building an airplane from plans may be the best option. The variety of plansbuilt projects is surprisingly diverse, as a review of this years directory will show. Included are specifications, photos, contact information and a handy cross-reference that allows you to locate the company from the design name.
Van’s RV-8: Sport Plane Standard Setter
The RV-8 arguably is the standard sport plane of our era. As we went to press in early July, there were 714 RV-8s flying among the 5200 RVs of all types. The only models with larger fleets samong RVs are the -4 and the -6/6A. It trails the -4 by 500 units, but you could easily see the RV-8 making up the gap in its lifetime, especially now that the whole kit is built with pre-punched (or matchhole) components. It has set the standard--in performance and handling--for today's sport planes.
In Case You Missed it
Blade Inflow Angle
As the propeller moves through the air, each point on the blade follows a helical path.
Firewall Forward: Oil Coolers and Oil Lines
The right oil cooler, installed correctly, can maximize your engine’s life. Of course, you’ll also need to consider crankcase breathers, oil separators, oil filters, oil lines and connections.
