![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")
Yearly Condition Inspection, Part I
If you own a Cessna or other certificated airplane, you need to get an annual inspection every year. If you own an Experimental/Amateur-Built airplane,...
Billet or Weldment With Off-Axis Turning?
People tend to design around their particular expertise. A machinist will design based on machining parts out of solid billet, a welder will design...
Leaky Static Lines
Ever wonder why static systems often start to leak after a couple of years? See the little plastic insert between the two tubes in...
The Solar HOG
So, we’ve got this huge furnace about 94 million miles away from us, and we want to tap into that furnace’s power. Since this...
Ye Olde Slip Roll
This month’s project is a follow-on to the Pietenpol muffler that was the subject of the Home Shop Machinist column in the May 2019...
Alternator and Voltage Regulator Problems
As everyone moves toward electronic instrumentation, the alternator is taking on a more and more important role. Alternators and their indispensable partners, voltage regulators,...
Fast Filter Replacements
Fuel filters are found on every aircraft that has an engine. They need to be changed after some period of use to ensure a...
I’m a HOG
Porkers of the world, relax. I’m not about to turn you all into bacon and spareribs (although that’s not a bad idea). No, HOG...
Missing Rivets
This is the root rib on a horizontal stabilizer. The rivets that fasten the rib to the spar are completely missing!
KITPLANES Virtual Round Table: Shops and Shop Spaces
Whether you build in a big box or a one-car garage, you can benefit from shop organization and tool selection.
In Case You Missed It
Building the 750 SDXTREME: Part 17
Custom mods to the 750 SDX main gear and nosegear bring serious weight savings and unique titanium parts to life—right down to the pedals and steering rods.