On a recent visit to CubCrafters to help build a Carbon Cub UL, our editor in chief got a first-hand look at the company’s latest bit of manufacturing tech: a semi-automated Haas six-axis milling machine. The coolest part? The robotic arm that manages raw billet blocks going in and, almost tenderly, extracts the finished piece from the mill when it’s done some 40 minutes later.
In Case You Missed It
Pre-War Porterfield
A rare bird designed to compete with the Cub, Champ, and T-Craft.
A Hole Where an Airshow Should Be
EAA’s decision to cancel AirVenture 2020 as a precaution against the coronavirus has created...
The Owner Assisted Interior
Working with an upholstery expert can save you money and time when designing and installing an interior in an Experimental aircraft. By Mike Manning.
A Great Compromise
Building an airplane usually requires a long-term commitment, not entirely dissimilar to the one that is made when saying I do. Yet many builders lose sight of this when building, sometimes even forgetting that they have a spouse. The commitment to the project must be matched by the commitment to maintaining a spousal relationship, and a little forethought and planning can help both builder and spouse enjoy not only the process, but the end result.









![Pre-War Porterfield [Credit: Mike Davenport]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DSC_0053.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1)


Reading about Vans financial problems, the entire general aviation community is faced with astronomical cost increases. The average Joe six pack can no longer build an Elsa aircraft due to material and engine cost. At 77 years of age flight is becoming a past memory due to cost of building, rental, insurance cost and fuel. Kit prices have escalated to a point that building your own aircraft had become a past dream unless you are rich.
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