![Trimming composites gets the full PPE job. [Credit: Eric Stewart]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7-2.jpg?w=534&h=462&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")
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.
Why You Should Do Engine Oil Analysis
Engine oil analysis for aircraft is an essential element of long-term powerplant health, for both Experimental and certified aircraft. KITPLANES' Marc Cook shows how...
In Case You Missed It
The Ultimate Upgrade
Martha and Wendell Solesbee begin the painstaking process of installing systems on their Lancair Evo kit-from engine and fuel, to electrical and landing gear.
Manufacturing Automation at CubCrafters
On a recent visit to CubCrafters to help build a Carbon Cub UL, our...
Those Rivet Holes
In a prior Plane and Simple article (“Debunking Deburring,” March 2023), we discussed the...
