Vic Syracuse
Vic is a fixed-wing and helicopter 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 10,000 hours in 72 different kinds of aircraft. Vic volunteers as a Young Eagle pilot, has his own sport aviation business called Base Leg Aviation, and has written two books on aircraft prebuy and condition inspections.
Teflon Tape
Do not use Teflon tape on any fuel system connection. It can deteriorate and leave particles and remnants, which can clog the fuel system,...
Murphy and the Flight That Almost Wasn’t
Most of us fly airplanes for fun. I would even venture to say that all KITPLANES® readers understand the fun side of aviation, especially...
Broken Tailwheel Chain Link
Tailwheels and their associated linkage should be carefully preflighted. Here’s a partially broken tailwheel chain link that has the potential to cause a complete...
Out-of-Date Hoses
As the fleet ages, many owners and builders forget to check the date codes on rubber hoses, especially in the engine compartment. Rubber hoses,...
Angle of Attack vs. Airspeed
Angle of attack indicators have been used by the military and airlines for years and have made their way into general aviation as well,...
Building the ‘Beater – Part 4
It’s hard to believe that several months have gone by again and it’s time for an update. I’ve told Carol many times over the...
Unreadable Data Plate
Data plates are required to show the manufacturer, model and serial number, and they must be legible. It’s highly unlikely that one like this...
Wrong Fire Extinguisher
A Class BC fire extinguisher has no place in the cockpit of an aircraft. If activated, the powder residue will cause so much corrosion...
In Case You Missed It
Pack Your Spotted Cow and Go
I heard Jester’s coarse voice and felt the impact of each syllable, “You. Nev-er....
Antenna Installations
Sourcing the right antennas for your kits avionics suite is only half the chore. Placement, proper grounding, and routine upkeep are critical to performance.