Vic Syracuse
Vic is a Commercial Pilot, CFII with ASMEL/ASES ratings, an A&P/IA, DAR, and EAA Technical Advisor and Flight Counselor. Passionately involved in aviation for over 40 years, he has built 11 aircraft and logged over 9000 hours in 72 different kinds of aircraft. Vic volunteers as a Young Eagle pilot and Angel Flight pilot. He chairs the EAA Homebuilt Council and is a member of EAA’s Board of Directors. He also has his own sport aviation business called Base Leg Aviation.
Alternate Air Opening
This was discovered on an aircraft during a condition inspection. It really was a poor installation. Nonetheless, the aircraft had been operating on unfiltered...
Missing ELT Batteries
Many aircraft owners don’t realize that some ELT control panels and audio alerters have their own separate batteries, which must be installed at installation...
Maxing Out the Fun Factor
For those who have experienced it, the fun of going on a flying trip with your friends and their families in the airplanes you...
Wrong Rudder Cable Nut and Missing Cotter Key
Wherever a bolt is subject to rotation, it is required to have a castellated nut and cotter key. A typical mistake I see on...
Lessons From Galesburg
I’ve had a number of readers ask me if I managed to make it to the Stearman National Convention, and I’m happy to report...
Checkpoints: AirVenture 2019
As I write this, we have been home from AirVenture 2019 exactly one week, and I am feeling much better than when I wrote last month’s column. Why? Because within 1 hour of landing back at home base last week, my son, neighbor, and I headed to the airport to hang the new engine on […]
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KITPLANES® magazine is the world’s #1 homebuilt aviation magazine. Written exclusively for enthusiasts like you, our editors pack each issue with need-to-know information on building, flying, designing and maintaining your own amateur-built category manned aircraft.
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KITPLANES® magazine is the world’s #1 homebuilt aviation magazine. Written exclusively for enthusiasts like you, our editors pack each issue with need-to-know information on building, flying, designing and maintaining your own amateur-built category manned aircraft.
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Unairworthy: Missing Safety Wire
Some bolts have drilled heads for a reason: They are supposed to be safety wired. The first example is a wheel pant bracket. The left wheel pant bracket on this airplane was missing the safety wire. A discussion with the builder ensued until the right wheel pant was removed—that bolt had gone missing! The second […]
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KITPLANES – The Independent Voice for Homebuilt Aviation
KITPLANES® magazine is the world’s #1 homebuilt aviation magazine. Written exclusively for enthusiasts like you, our editors pack each issue with need-to-know information on building, flying, designing and maintaining your own amateur-built category manned aircraft.
Subscribe Today
KITPLANES® magazine is the world’s #1 homebuilt aviation magazine. Written exclusively for enthusiasts like you, our editors pack each issue with need-to-know information on building, flying, designing and maintaining your own amateur-built category manned aircraft.
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Fuel Leak and Cracked Flare
A major fuel leak was discovered on this airplane not long after the first flight. The majority of the fuel in the tank leaked...
The 2-Mile Decision
For those of you who read my column last month on keeping the fires lit, I find it ironic that I find myself telling you about another engine failure that happened since then. Perhaps I shouldn’t write about engine failures? But it did happen, and my thoughts are to share the experience and decision-making with […]
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KITPLANES – The Independent Voice for Homebuilt Aviation
KITPLANES® magazine is the world’s #1 homebuilt aviation magazine. Written exclusively for enthusiasts like you, our editors pack each issue with need-to-know information on building, flying, designing and maintaining your own amateur-built category manned aircraft.
Subscribe Today
KITPLANES® magazine is the world’s #1 homebuilt aviation magazine. Written exclusively for enthusiasts like you, our editors pack each issue with need-to-know information on building, flying, designing and maintaining your own amateur-built category manned aircraft.
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Do’s and Don’ts of Aircraft Building, Part 2
Do’s and Don’ts of Aircraft Building, Part 2
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KITPLANES – The Independent Voice for Homebuilt Aviation
KITPLANES® magazine is the world’s #1 homebuilt aviation magazine. Written exclusively for enthusiasts like you, our editors pack each issue with need-to-know information on building, flying, designing and maintaining your own amateur-built category manned aircraft.
Subscribe Today
KITPLANES® magazine is the world’s #1 homebuilt aviation magazine. Written exclusively for enthusiasts like you, our editors pack each issue with need-to-know information on building, flying, designing and maintaining your own amateur-built category manned aircraft.
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In Case You Missed it
Build Your Skills: Composites (Part 11)
Author Bob Fritz offers a middle way to paint your airplane yourself, without surrendering your first born or breaking the bank. Hint: Preparation and the right equipment are essential.
What’s New
PS Engineering has introduced a new audio panel/com, Avemco creates a safety team, Comp Air offers special pricing incentives on its 6 kit, and UL Power of North America names Zenith as first OEM. Edited by Mary Bernard.
2011 Engine Buyer’s Guide
We take another look at the current offerings of traditional aircraft engines. Compiled by Marcie Moody with text by Marc Cook.
