Jon Croke
As the founder of HomebuiltHELP.com, Jon Croke has produced instructional videos for Experimental aircraft builders for over 10 years. He has built (and helped others build) over a dozen kit aircraft of all makes and models. Jon is a private pilot and currently owns and flies a Zenith Cruzer.
Sun ‘n Fun 2024: First Impressions
Some quick, but candid impressions from my first day at the Sun ‘n Fun air show in Lakeland, Florida.
Scratch Build a Kit?
I want to present a strategy and method to get a few more prospective airplane builders off the fence and into the workshop. This...
Will That Be Paint or Powder?
There are two popular options for builders to consider for covering steel components.
How Fast Is a Speed Nut?
A “speed nut” is a somewhat generic term that is occasionally used for a one-piece spring steel fastener that we can use in our...
Countersinking for a Flush Fastener Fit
In last month’s column, we talked about the procedures needed for installing flush rivets and screws in our kit aircraft projects. As builders we...
Dimpling for Beauty and Speed
Each time you install a fastener on your airplane kit, consider whether the head of that fastener (rivet or screw) should protrude above the...
Don’t Get Bent Out of Shape With These Pliers
As a builder of a metal aircraft kit, you no doubt have heard the term “fluting” and fluting pliers. Let’s examine fluting pliers and...
Those Rivet Holes
In a prior Plane and Simple article (“Debunking Deburring,” March 2023), we discussed the importance of removing the burrs created by drilling holes in...
In Case You Missed It
Tilting the Mill Head
Most milling machines have the capability to tilt the head to make angled cuts....
Material Matters-Aluminum
Aluminum is usually marked by the manufacturer to indicate the alloy and temper....
Wind Tunnel
Recently, there has been increasing interest in the efficiency of all vehicles, including airplanes. Designers are seeking to make airplanes that perform better and burn less fuel. Barnaby Wainfan takes a close look at the aerodynamics and mathematics behind this deceptively complex process.