Wind Tunnel
Aerodynamic flutter has been a recent concern in the homebuilt world. What exactly is flutter? What causes it? Barnaby Wainfan clarifies an often misunderstood and potentially dangerous phenomenon.
Wind Tunnel
Airplanes are surprisingly flexible, and changes in their shape can affect aerodynamic characteristics. Barnaby Wainfan explains how the two are coupled.
Combating Carb Ice
Barnaby Wainfan examines a sneaky and sometimes little understood cause of in-flight scares and engine failures: carb ice.
Wind Tunnel
Barnaby Wainfan brings aerodynamics to life with an illustrated field guide to the various devices seen at AirVenture.
The Case for Strakes
These small additions to your aircraft can make a significant improvement in its pitch response and authority at high angles of attack. Barnaby Wainfan gives you the strake story.
Wind Tunnel
Got separation anxiety? Vortex generators can keep the airflow attached where it belongs.
Wind Tunnel
Fixed gear or retractable gear? Barnaby Wainfan examines the physics behind this longstanding design question.
Wind Tunnel
Barnaby Wainfan explores the optimum size of a wing and the best ways to balance performance and efficiency.
Wind Tunnel
Tail stalls have been in the news lately-Barnaby Wainfan dissects this phenomenon, and clarifies what to do and what not to do.
Wind Tunnel
Accelerate, pull and fly-thats not all there is to the takeoff. Barnaby Wainfan takes a second-by-second look at the aerodynamics of the takeoff: when it works, and when it doesn't.
In Case You Missed It
The Cost to Build
When a kit airplane or plans purveyor provides an estimated cost to complete a project, consider it with a wary eye that's tempered with real-world experience.
DIY Airport Glideslope Indicator
Author Chuck Deiterich details how to build your own simple but effective visual glideslope indicator using common household construction materials.
All About Avionics–The Electric Airplane
Its a new world in homebuilt avionics, driven by electronic instruments and powered by an electrical system tailored to meet each specific application. Resident Avionics Guru Stein Bruch walks you through numerous possible configurations for powering your equipment, and offers tips on how to do the installation right the first time.