Metal Magic: Using Reamers For Accurate Holes
Sometimes a drill bit just won't do. When you want accurate, perfectly round holes in aluminum, you need to use a reamer. KITPLANES editor...
Get Grounded
It’s almost cliche. You’re having intermittent noise or performance issues in your avionics suite, and someone says, “It’s probably a bad ground.” The truth...
Importing From Canada, Selling in Phase I
Question: There is this nice RV-4 available for sale in Canada. It’s been built by an experienced builder. They have flown the airplane for...
Dealing With Off-Nominal: Part 1
Taking a closer look at “off-nominal” flight experiences and what to do about them.
Avionics Dropout
In this case, the non-builder owner stated that the avionics, including his EFIS, would intermittently drop out while in flight and sometimes even on...
Prop Job
How often do you wander the flight line and see a classic aircraft with a propeller that just makes you stop and go “Wow!”...
Drills and Bits
Everyone has a drill in his or her toolbox. Many have the popular DeWalt cordless drill/driver that Home Depot and Lowe’s sell by the...
Being Cool
Despite Newton’s claims, those of us who have been upside down, under the panel, with sweat dripping uphill, know that there are sopping exceptions...
How the Bead Goes On
Welded assemblies (also known as weldments) can be found on just about every airplane. Even my Jabiru, which is 99% fiberglass, has a tubular-steel...
Tempest AA470 Oil Filter Cutter
If you’re doing your own routine maintenance—and if you’re not, why not?—you’re going to need a means to open your canister oil filter after...
In Case You Missed it
Around the Patch
Editor in Chief Marc Cook was skeptical early on about using the Primary Category to address the problem of over-reliance on commercial builder assistance. But further consideration made him think it may have a role to play in the FAAs revised guidance.
Build Your Skills: Fabric
If you want sound and long-lasting fabric covering, proper shrinkage is essential. And an accurately calibrated iron is a means to that end. Ron Alexander details the process and offers tips on how to avoid damage to the underlying structure during tautening.