![A sleek Glasair II. [Credit: Glasair]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Glasair-II_2863.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Class of ’86: How 1986 Transformed the Modern Kit Building Industry")
![Careful planning and determination will get you to your goal of building and flying your own airplane. [Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pulsar-Sunset.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Last Bits")
![Making rare use of my drafting tools for the internal timing. [All Images Credited to Andrew Robinson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/P1010535.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Conquering the Magneto, Part 2")
![[Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_262642207_AGCuesta.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Winging It")
![Lowell Farrand spent years serving as an FAA DAR and is in the EAA Hall of Fame. He offers sound advise to builders. [Credit: Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-4.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Think Like a Builder")
![Humberd and his daughter using the 701 for some farm duty transportation. [All Images Credited to Jon Humberd]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1-3.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Builder’s Spotlight")
![[Credit: Viking Aircraft Engines]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/engine.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Editor’s Log")
![Author Bill Wilson takes a break from measuring and cutting the Lexan windshield during his Onex build. [All Images Credit to Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image-2.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Think Like A Builder")
![[Credit: Chat GPT]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Generated-image.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Homebuilder’s Insurance")
![[Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_1172095184.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Editor’s Log")
In Case You Missed It
Ask the DAR
When can an ELSA be used commercially? Can an E/AB aircraft be certificated without a transponder?
Free Flight
Surprisingly, building a metal aircraft may also mean getting familiar with fiberglass. Here are some tips to make that portion of the build less painful.