The Home Machinist
If you need to send a part out to be built by a professional shop, a good drawing, well identified, is essential. The KISS principle applies, and be sure you don't request closer tolerances or more exotic materials than you really need, or it will cost you.
To Launch a Light Sport
This month builder Bob Fritz searches for a better alternative to last-century circuit technology for his panel and finds it in a Polyfuse.
Build Your Skills: Fabric
Everyone could use a little sunscreen, and the fabric on a fabric-covered aircraft is no exception. This months installment, the last in the series, discusses pre-paint protection to minimize sun damage. By Ron Alexander.
Wind Tunnel
Aerodynamics Engineer Barnaby Wainfan dissects one of the most common and possibly least understood flight maneuvers: turns.
Grinvalds Orion
Jean Grinvalds’ plansbuilt four-seat pusher design was ahead of its time, predating the Bede BD-5, VariEze, Prescott Pusher and Cirrus VK-30. By Geoff Jones.
What’s New
Among the new products this month are personalized wheel chocks, a new online panel planner from Aircraft Spruce, a flexible TIG welding kit, and Britta Imports RV faring and dimmers.
25th Anniversary: Loran and GPS take over
Todays GPS technology has largely supplanted loran as a navigational aid in Experimental aircraft, and thats not a bad thing. By Marc Cook.
Light Stuff
Cub look-alikes have been popular for years, and CubCrafters Sport Cub S2 SLSA holds its own against the competition. By Dave Martin.
Letters
Hummel We Go Along I just received the January 2009, KITPLANES and was surprised to see that Hummel Aviation was not included in the...
In Case You Missed It
Alternative Energies
Dean Sigler checks in on the Green Flight Challengers of 2011 who didn’t make it to the competition to see what they’re up to now.
Design Process: End Plates and Winglets
A wing produces a pressure difference between its upper and lower surface. The pressure...
Troubleshooting 102: EFIS
Calibration and hardware installation errors are common sources of trouble, so follow the install manuals to the letter.