KITPLANES

Welcome to Kitplanes Magazine! Here, we aim to give you an inside look at what it takes to create a magazine specifically designed for aircraft builders. You’ll find updates and images that may not have made it into our standard editions. Or perhaps something different entirely!

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The Hummingbird Airworthiness Inspection

4 days ago | kitplanes.com | Vic Syracuse

Many builders think that because I am a DAR (Designated Airworthiness Inspector) I can do my own airworthiness inspections. But that is not the case. I must go through the same process as everyone else, and I am OK with that. I am a firm believer that you can’t ever have too many eyes on an aircraft. Ever. So, for those of you who are building, I am going to walk you through the process. It’s always a good idea to introduce yourself to the DAR sometime during the building process.
AirVenture Oshkosh Gatherings - KITPLANES

1 week ago | kitplanes.com | Omar Filipovic

When you go to Oshkosh, do you attend the type-specific gatherings organized by the builders and owner’s associations? If you don’t, you’re missing out on the essence of what is AirVenture Oshkosh—the meeting place for folks who are building or flying the same kind of airplane as you. These gatherings are an opportunity to meet the people you might know only by their internet forum username. Some of them have really good food, too.
Cable Ties For Ballast

1 week ago | kitplanes.com | Vic Syracuse

These lead weights were found cable-tied in place at the aft end of an aircraft during the initial airworthiness inspection. Cable ties will become brittle over time and can break. Having weights come loose during flight, especially near the control system, could really ruin your day. Vic is a fixed-wing and helicopter commercial pilot, CFII with ASMEL/ASES ratings, an A&P/IA, DAR, and EAA technical advisor and flight counselor.
ADS-B Privacy and Sport Turbine Racing

2 weeks ago | kitplanes.com | Thomas Wilson

Living in the small airplane world polarizes between a time warp where nothing changes and a techno-political maelstrom where everything flies around the barnyard tornado style. Lately, it seems there are plenty of sacred cows zooming past my windows, so it seems a good time to touch on several subjects. ADS-B PrivacyNot that I want to say I told you so, but back in our February 2019 issue of KITPLANES I grumbled regarding the inevitable governmental misuse of ADS-B.
Sonex Highwing First Engine Start

2 weeks ago | kitplanes.com | Omar Filipovic

Progress on the Sonex Highwing prototype continues with a major milestone reached on Friday, June 6: the aircraft’s first engine start. The 130-hp UL Power UL350iS fired up smoothly, followed by successful brake checks and a short taxi test—marking a significant step toward first flight. The Sonex team reports that only a few tasks remain before inspection and registration are complete, and they’re aiming for first flight ahead of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025.
RV-15 Test Flight With a New Wing

2 weeks ago | kitplanes.com | Omar Filipovic

With the new wings completed, Van’s Aircraft has taken a major step forward in RV‑15 development. The prototype, still built around the original fuselage, took flight recently with a completely redesigned wing—its first time aloft in this configuration. Chief engineer Rian Johnson was at the controls for this critical test flight. “Flaps Are Now Perfect”The new wing features a cable‑actuated, floor‑mounted flap handle with a slot‑hinge design.
Change Is a Constant

2 weeks ago | kitplanes.com | Paul Dye

About 16 years ago, I received an email from the editor in chief of KITPLANES magazine (Marc Cook) asking if I’d like to become a regular contributor, writing columns, features, and flight reviews. He’d seen my words on various internet forums and thought I might have something to say.
Magnet Trick for Precise Hole Placement

3 weeks ago | kitplanes.com | Paul Dye

One of the challenges with a traditional build—where everything isn’t defined by plans or a kit—is figuring out where to drill “arbitrary” holes. You might know you need a hole in the firewall to route wiring, but where exactly should it go? There are usually many viable options—but some locations that look perfect on one side might conflict with a weldment or structure on the other. The plans often won’t help—you’re on your own.
VoltAero Debuts Hybrid Propulsion Aimed at Kit Market

3 weeks ago | kitplanes.com | Omar Filipovic

VoltAero has announced the launch of its new HPU 210 hybrid-electric powertrain, designed to bring hybrid propulsion to the Experimental aircraft market. Debuting this week at France Air Expo in Lyon, the system pairs a high-performance Kawasaki thermal engine with a 60-kW electric motor for what the company calls “push-to-climb” capability—a claimed 40% power boost when needed for takeoff or obstacle clearance.
Why Alternative Engines Rarely Save Money

3 weeks ago | kitplanes.com | Paul Dye

If you want to start a lively (never-ending) debate on any experimental aviation internet forum—or in the airport pilot lounge—just bring up the idea that you’re thinking about an alternative engine for your next project.