![SR-1 cowl being integrated with spinner and cooling ducts. The cowl is assembled to itself/to the fuse primarily with countersunk #8 screws. [All images credited to Eric Stewart]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1KP.jpg?w=534&h=462&crop=1 "Custom Cowl Fabrication: Building the SR-1 Composite Cowl")
![Trimming composites gets the full PPE job. [Credit: Eric Stewart]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7-2.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "A Few of My Favorite Tools")
![Lowell Farrand spent years serving as an FAA DAR and is in the EAA Hall of Fame. He offers sound advise to builders. [Credit: Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-4.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Think Like a Builder")
![Author Bill Wilson takes a break from measuring and cutting the Lexan windshield during his Onex build. [All Images Credit to Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image-2.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Think Like A Builder")
Smooth Out Your Ride
Dynamic propeller balancing can smooth out your ride and reduce wear and tear on engine parts.
Measuring Antennas
Freely admitted, my very early experience with antennas was confined to looking at a newspaper picture of Sputnik 1 (Prosteyshiy Sputnik-1) in October 1957...
Metal Magic: Driving and Squeezing Countersunk Rivets
Paul Dye explains how to both drive and squeeze flush rivets and offers handy tips to getting good, repeatable results.
Listen To the Engine
This month’s column is the start of a new series based upon feedback from KITPLANES® subscribers who said they missed my contributions. Thankfully, Marc...
Are Your Wings in the Right Spot?
If you haven’t yet decided on whether to pick a high- or low-wing aircraft kit to build, you might wonder how other builders have...
Metal Magic: Dimpling and Countersinking
Before you can start driving countersunk rivets, you need to know how to dimple or countersink aluminum.
Poka-Yoke Cable Clamp
From a machinist’s point of view, the clamp couldn’t be simpler: A couple of grooves, some bolt holes and you’re done.
Unlabeled Controls
It is a requirement that the engine controls are labeled as to their function and operation. In this case, labeling the blue knob “Prop—Push...
Metal Magic: Driven Rivets
An introduction to driving round-head rivets with a rivet gun and bucking bar, the staple skill needed for building a metal airplane.
In Case You Missed It
Birds of a Different Feather
Flying Legend’s Tucano replicas are a far cry from the common Experimental.
Unusual Attitude
Oshkosh AirVenture gave Ed Wischmeyer the opportunity to look around at the newest ideas in aviation and to think about the larger implications of what he was seeing. He speculates about what works, what doesn't and how manufacturers and consumers alike could make the world of flying a better place.
Archive: February 1989
On our February 1989 cover we celebrated the “Return of the Cub.” From today’s...
Rotaxs 915 iS is Ready to Roll
It's got a great power-to-weight ratio, but also a complex installation procedure. Don't be surprised if it inspires a new design or two.