Leakdown-Tester

The Big Scare

3
You look down at the instruments, and instantly energy drains down your body as if bomb bay doors on the soles of your feet had opened and the concrete floor were a sponge.

The Usual Suspect, Part 2: Missing Power

1
The dark interior of a hangar comes into focus as an announcer says, “Building Time Theater presents, ‘The Usual Suspect, Part Two: The Missing...

Build, Maintain, Inspect

0
One of the big reasons that people build their own airplane is the flexibility afforded by the FAA when it comes to maintenance and...

Round-Trip Flight

6
Let’s see. Where was I? When we last spoke, I was headed back into the motorcycle realm, where I eventually got to be editor in...

Do’s and Don’ts of Aircraft Building, Part 2

7
Do’s and Don’ts of Aircraft Building, Part 2

Keeping the Fire Lit

0
Air. Fuel. Spark. Right?
Starduster too on the ramp

Rear Cockpit: The Other Guy’s Plane

1
In a parallel life of mine—auto journalism—shop talk occasionally got around to just how few cars the average person probably drives in their lifetime....
light gun signals

Rear Cockpit: Light Gun Signaling

0
Silent running.

Editor’s Log: Crew Change

0
Marc Cook, former editor in chief, is once again going to hold that position here, as Paul Dye steps into the role of editor at large.

The Misfire

0
The Usual Suspect, Part 1.

In Case You Missed It

Your Head, Your Heart, Your Hands and the Truth

4
Three chords and the truth. That’s how songwriter Harlan Howard, who, with Hank Cochran,...

Wind Tunnel

0
The author discusses the theory and effect of constant-speed propellers on piston-engine airplane performance, and compares fixed-pitch versus constant-speed props, effect on thrust HP and propulsion, the comprises involved in choosing a prop, how props perform in various conditions and phases of flight, how variable-pitch props work, and why a constant-speed prop is the best choice for high-performance aircraft.

Excess Horsepower!

1
Kitfox’s Super Sport gets more than new pep from Rotax’s turbocharged 916 iS.

Heat Shields Up!

0
Protecting your cowling from excess heat.