![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")
RV Quick Stick
I live in a pretty cool neighborhood, which happens to include a couple of locals who are building airplane projects in their garages. In...
Low-Cost Spark Plug Ohm Tester
This handy tester is rugged enough to be stored in your tool tray with your other spark plug tools without fear of damage. It...
Unairworthy: Isolator Mount Problems
Rubber isolator mounts should not have a gap between them and the engine mount when properly torqued.
Antennas According to Jim (Ch. 1)
First, let’s talk about “polarization”; there are three polarizations. The first two are easy.
Easy Blue Plastic Film Removal
A near-zero-effort way to remove the protective blue plastic film from large sheets of aluminum.
Home Shop Machinist: Magnification
A typical day in the shop for me would be unusual if I didn’t use a magnifier at least once.
Unairworthy: Loose Tail Attach Bolt
This is a very critical bolt that attaches the horizontal stabilizer to the fuselage in an aerobatic airplane. The bolt is not tight, and...
In Case You Missed It
Around the Patch
Its unclear what will constitute the standard fuel for General Aviation once leaded fuel is phased out by the EPA. But what is clear is that the stakeholders need to become informed and voice their opinions to the decision-makers. By Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook.
Magneto Timing
Checking your magneto timing is part of every yearly condition inspection, but beyond that...
Letters
Timing MagnetosDave Prizio's article on external timing of magnetos (October 2013) provides a very...