Kerry Fores
Kerry Fores was born and raised in Oshkosh, WI and was interested in homebuilding by age 12. Between 1998 and 2003 he scratchbuilt and polished a Sonex, which he named Metal Illness. Kerry logged nearly 500 hours in Metal Illness and was awarded Plans Built Champion at AirVenture 2006. Kerry is retired from a 21-year career at Sonex Aircraft, most of it dedicated to supporting builders. Kerry is on the web at thelifeofdanger.com.
Whimsy
There’s no reason to participate in the hobby—for that matter, any hobby—unless it’s underpinned by fun.
Little Buddy, You Can Fly
As a design matures, more and more “upgrades” and “improvements” are thrust upon successive builders by those who have gone before. What they are thrusting, really, are opinions.
Beyond the Stats
Shoppin’ for a project, are ya? Here are some truths: Factory-stated build times are bare minimums. Double them and then toss that number out...
Inserting Bolts, Installing Nuts
I never set out to write a hardware trilogy, yet here we are. A little ditty on washer usage begat a column on bolt-length...
Length Matters
Last month I wrote about AN washer usage. This month I’ll take on AN bolts—specifically, their grip length. Riveting stuff, huh? No? Somewhat captivating?...
AN960 Washers, the Penny and My Thoughts
Not a week (sometimes a day) went by during my Sonex career that I wasn’t asked about washer usage on threaded fasteners. Often, a...
Get Bent
I harbor two writers within. A technical writer who favors brevity and a creative writer, an essayist, who wants to engage your senses and...
Self-Debriefing Your AirVenture Experience
Every flying lesson ends with a debriefing. What worked, what didn't, where can improvements be made? If you recently attended The Big Show in...
In Case You Missed it
What’s New
This months listing covers news from Avemco about aircraft insurance, a Europa update, a Sportys prop lock, and Sigma-Teks new electric attitude indicator; edited by Mary Bernard.
Around the Patch
Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook looks closely the TSAs proposed badging plan for GA aircraft, which was buried in the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP). Also, is there a chance for a Superior Air Parts revival?
The Fellowship of the Wing
In the classic J.R.R. Tolkien trilogy Lord of the Rings, a small band of...
Around the Patch
Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook offers an explanation of how the annual Aircraft Buyer's Guides are assembled, and his attempts to enhance the usefulness and relevance of the information provided.