Bob Hadley
Bob Hadley is the R&D manager for a California-based consumer products company. He holds a Sport Pilot certificate and a Light-Sport Repairman certificate with inspection authorization for his Jabiru J250-SP.
Hankering for an Anchoring
Most airports provide provisions to tie down transient aircraft. I’ve seen everything from loops of rebar sticking out of asphalt to cables and ropes...
Fly Cutting a Cove With a Boring Head
Fly cutting is a great way to put a “finish” on a flat and true face. The sweeping tool marks are not only instantly...
Chemysteries
All machined things (parts, tools, etc.) eventually have to be “finished” in one way or another. This may include tumbling, sandblasting or burnishing, but...
Bleeder Coupling
Bleeding hydraulic brakes of trapped air is something everyone who builds or works on airplanes eventually has to do. The process is fundamentally simple....
Calling All Collets
Most metal lathes come with a three-jaw chuck for a good reason: They are the best option for general-purpose work. They accommodate the widest...
Alternative Energy Projects
This month I’m taking a step back from doing the usual aircraft-related project to look at some “off the grid” projects that take advantage...
It’s a Knockout
When it comes time to remove and replace bearings or bushings that are press fit into tubes or deep recesses, don’t be that mechanic...
Second-Thought Tie-Down Eye
Every aircraft has tie-down points. Most of us never give them a second thought until a catastrophe strikes—like the big storm that threatened early...
Reverse Engineering a Glasair Tailwheel
One day last summer, seconds after rolling from the hold short line to depart Las Vegas’ Henderson Airport, a freak wind gust caught David...
In Case You Missed It
Finding the Perfect Project
The information in our Buyer's Guide is just the start. Here are some additional insights to help you make the right decision.
Are All Battery Chargers Alike?
Bob Fritz tests battery chargers and desulfation systems, and finds its easier to keep a battery in good shape than to raise it from the dead—and that a good charger is a better bet than a new battery.