![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=534&h=462&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")
Bob’s Donut Shop
In my April 2021 column, I described making custom rivet nuts to replace self-tapping screws for the wing root fairings on my Jabiru. While...
Chattering Timers
Back in November 1999, I sadly consigned my old battery eating “buzz box,” a WW-II 1940s-era mechanical doorbell-ringer magneto timer, to that big buzz...
Start Building Your Aircraft With a Subkit
Deciding to build an aircraft does not have to be one big, final decision.
Hang Up!
I have been flying my RV-9 for 14 years and a thousand hours. You would think that by now I’d have this figured out,...
Broken Battery Hold-Down Bracket
This battery hold-down bracket was discovered in an RV-10 during a condition inspection. It is a very serious safety issue that probably needs no...
Installing and Maintaining Your Pitot-Static System
The pitot-static system is usually one of those items appearing on your to-do list when you are at the point of being 90% done...
Oil in Line
Look very closely and you will see liquid in the tubing. This is the manifold pressure line to the electronic ignition system.
The fluid in...
I Need Help—Where Do I Look?
Aside from the manufacturer’s supplied materials, what is the next line of action for obtaining help while building something as complicated as an aircraft?
In Case You Missed It
Geared Drives Remembered
The innovative work of Bud Warren contributed much to the homebuilt community and saved many an engine from being relegated to the scrap heap. By Rick Lindstrom.
