May issue of Kitplanes is worth reading

gasman · #1 03-31-2010, 01:35 AM

Fixed pitch props.
Brake tech for builders
Building custom seats
Ask the DAR..... Mel
The story on ECI cyls
And how Cub Crafters fly their LSA on 180 hp.

PCHunt · #2 03-31-2010, 02:07 AM

Gee, I think ALL issues of Kitplanes are worth reading!!

My favorite magazine.

cjensen · #3 03-31-2010, 08:13 AM

Just got it yesterday, and have to agree...this is one of the best issues they have put out in a LONG time!!

Radomir · #4 03-31-2010, 08:23 AM

Let's not forget Stein's article on Pitot/Static system... Great article and long overdue.... This topic never gets the attention it needs..

KPmarc · #5 03-31-2010, 08:36 AM

Thanks, guys.

Bob Axsom · #6 03-31-2010, 08:39 AM

If you are building or into building Kitplanes is probably OK and I think that is the market. I personally would like to see a magazine that focused a little beyond the entry level into some serious experimental research to increase performance of the best products available - engines included. I don't mean marginal examples of people that have stuck some power plant on and made it work novelty stuff. And drag reduction results with objective and consistent test methods not some ivory tower classroom level gobbledegook with no hard evidence. And while they are at it report the results of air racing with some analysis and trend information.

Bob Axsom

Phil · #7 03-31-2010, 09:12 AM

I thought it was a good issue too...

It's amazing what a little competition from EAA's great improvements of in Sport Aviation. Right now I put the EAA publication in the lead, but it's nice to see kitplanes responding with some decent articles too.

Competition keeps the gravy train at bay and is good for all of us.

Phil

KPmarc · #8 03-31-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Axsom

I personally would like to see a magazine that focused a little beyond the entry level into some serious experimental research to increase performance of the best products available - engines included. I don't mean marginal examples of people that have stuck some power plant on and made it work novelty stuff. And drag reduction results with objective and consistent test methods not some ivory tower classroom level gobbledegook with no hard evidence. And while they are at it report the results of air racing with some analysis and trend information.

Are you volunteering to help, Bob? I'm all ears!

KPmarc · #9 03-31-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

It's amazing what a little competition from EAA's great improvements of in Sport Aviation. Right now I put the EAA publication in the lead, but it's nice to see kitplanes responding with some decent articles too.

Competition keeps the gravy train at bay and is good for all of us.

Well, I won't say that EAA's improvements aren't making me sit up a little straighter, but the truth is that the stories in the May issue were on the board late last year, and were probably only tweaked a little bit since then.

But I am compelled to respond. We have a few new writers and story concepts to debut through the summer, and one or two larger programs on a more distant horizon.

Through it all, understand that we're strongly cost constrained. Our great ideas always over-run our ability to execute them...but we're trying. And we're definitely open to suggestions like Bob's to do more hard-core performance evaluation and specific race coverage. I stopped carrying Reno stories a few years ago when I realized we were getting the same article every year with only the names of the winners changing. I would love to carry coverage that was technically savvy and useful to the typical builder, but it takes the right person with the right mindset to convey it.

mburch · #10 03-31-2010, 10:14 AM

Speaking with my homebuilt-enthusiast hat on...

I have to say, in my opinion Kitplanes was really going downhill before they shook things up at the top. Back then I was about to let my subscription lapse, but the improvements over the last several years (well, it's probably been longer than that now, I guess) have changed my mind, and now Kitplanes is full of great material that I look forward to reading every month. So kudos to Marc and the KP staff.

Similarly, Sport Aviation was gradually turning into AOPA Pilot, what with all the articles about Cherokees and Cirruses. I'm glad to see that they've woken up and started paying attention to the E in EAA again. I don't know if it was perceived competition with Kitplanes, or the drumbeat of feedback from the membership, but I do know that it's a great time for magazines about building your own airplane.

However... not to take away from either of these fine publications, but I must say that if I could only keep one magazine subscription, it would be Air & Space Smithsonian. If you don't subscribe, you ought to check it out. Of course I subscribe to all of 'em because I can't get enough aviation reading material.

mcb