Ron Wanttaja
Ron Wanttaja is a retired space systems engineer. Over a 40-year career, he helped design, build, test, launch, and operate 18 spacecraft, up to and including the International Space Station. He has owned a Bowers Fly Baby since 1996 and flew the original prototype for seven years before buying his own. He is married to romance novelist Lisa McAllister and lives just outside of Portland, Oregon.
Where Have All the Homebuilts Gone?
Thousands of E/A-B aircraft have been removed from the rolls, but most of them haven’t existed for decades.
Homebuilt Accidents: Fire!
Quite possibly, your eyes glazed over a bit when you saw the title of this article. Quite possibly, you’re poised to skim forward a...
Homebuilt Accidents: Evaluating Engines
Statistics show traditional certified engines have the best reliability.
In Case You Missed It
Wind Tunnel
The aerodynamics of an airplane sometimes don't cooperate with the pilots desire to roll, and instead produce both yaw and roll. Contributing factors are aileron parasite drag, induced drag between the wings and changes in the roll rate itself;
Champions
We talk with Grand Champion builders about their experiences building some of the finest airplanes in the world.