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
![Trimming composites gets the full PPE job. [Credit: Eric Stewart]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7-2.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "A Few of My Favorite Tools")
A Few of My Favorite Tools
Occasionally I see articles by colleagues on their favorite tools (a somewhat less controversial...
Tilting the Mill Head
Most milling machines have the capability to tilt the head to make angled cuts....