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.
Ripples
I wrote this in April to meet a May deadline for this September issue of KITPLANES®, which came out before AirVenture in July. I...
Bill Brennand Lied to Me
You’d be forgiven if you don’t recognize the name. Bill Brennand went quietly about his life yet a life so full it warrants a...
It’s Not Like You’re Building an Airplane
The skills needed to build an airplane are not unique to aviation, nor are they uncommon.
Pilot Not In Command
An audible sigh and an acceptable landing punctuated the end of a stuttering cross-country. It punctuated it on a Wednesday, however, not the previous...
The Art of Putzing About
Ahhh, putzing about. Is there anything more satisfying? Of course there is. Thousands of things, I’m sure. But like an ointment on an itch,...
Tail First
“Where did you get this?” my mom demanded, shaking a thick brown envelope at me. One that had been hidden under my mattress. I...
No One Is Watching
For better or worse, kit manufacturers are under no FAA oversight. There are no independent engineering reviews. No mandatory wing loading or landing-gear drop...
A Cautionary Tail
One Monday morning I opened an email from the second owner of a Onex. It was sent at 8:12 p.m. on Saturday. An attached...
Executing the Execution
Airplanes are born of time and tedium. Mostly tedium. A harsh statement, yet a true one. There’s just no way around deburring the thousands...
Hand Tools: Modified, Made and Improvised
Merriam-Webster defines a tool as “A self-absorbed male prone to wearing a necklace”…wrong one…here it is: “A handheld device that aids in accomplishing a...
In Case You Missed It
Design Process: Wing Design
At this point in the design process, we have gotten the airplane sized, balanced,...
Turnbuckle Safety Wire
Turnbuckles are usually used in control systems to apply the proper amount of tension...
Understanding Lithium Batteries
Kathy and Reg Nicoson of EarthX, Inc. explain what you need to know.
What’s New
Zenith offers a reduced price for its STOL CH 701 kit, featuring the 85-hp Jabiru 2200A engine. Dynon offers a rebate for Blue Mountain EFIS owners who trade in for the new SkyView units, as well as special upgrade pricing. Edited by Mary Bernard.