Monthly Archives: May 2012
New Wingtip LED Light System
Kuntzleman Electronics introduces the LED Combo, a new wingtip strobe anti-collision/navigation light system. This cluster of very bright LEDs uses a common controller that...
NTSB Reviews Homebuilt Safety Record
The National Transportation Safety Board released findings this week indicating that pilot errors during Phase I flight testing and pilot transition into homebuilts are...
Dave Smith's RV-7
On Friday, March 9th 2012, it had been 4 years, 7 months and 17 days since taking over the RV7 project. It was a...
Stan Tew's Rans S-7S
N29TD was given airworthiness in October 2010 after 6 years of construction. It was awarded Champion Custom Tube & Fabric at the South East...
Steve Rush's RV-12
Van's RV-12 kit number 18 was ordered the first day orders were accepted by Van's and completed 2 years and 2 months later. It...
Tempest Introduces AT5K Spark Plug Resistance Tester
To test the internal resistance in all aviation spark plugs, Tempest has released its new AT5K resistance tester.
Using the tester is simple: Place the...
Aero ‘lectrics
This month, Jim Weir describes how to create an LED strip with any three colors and offers a brief lesson on human optics too.
Ask the DAR
Can a former Part 103 aircraft be registered as an LSA? And how is an appropriate Phase I flight-test area determined?
Wind Tunnel
Certain situations and configurations just call out for a ducted-fan installation. Barnaby Wainfan explains the benefits and drawbacks.
In Case You Missed It
Safety Is No Accident: Buying a Previously Owned, Flying Homebuilt
Ron Wanttaja looks at the accident data to determine whether its safer to buy than build an Experimental, and he identifies the key factors to ensuring a successful outcome.
Tricked-Out Tailwheel
T3 suspension system eliminates relaunches when touchdowns are a bit too firm.
The Dawn Patrol
Built in to any aircraft construction project is time for head scratching and trying to recall why you just walked from one end of the shop to the other. These are some of the most valuable moments.