![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")
Three Battery Problems Lead to Accidents
Three battery-related accidents, one now 10 years old, the others more recent, point to the need to understand and properly maintain your airplane's electrical...
Spread Those Sheets
I'm kind of loose with my engineering and teaching. I don't have a lot of hard-and-fast rules.
Throttle Interference
A slight sticking was noticed when the throttle was moved to the full open position. Further investigation revealed that the nut and cotter key...
In Case You Missed It
Affordable! Fast! Too Hot!
Marketing departments willfully ignore the difference between objective and subjective statements, especially the marketing...
Magneto Timing Made Simple
Its a question of degrees: Step-by-step instructions on how to set your magneto timing.
Remember When: The BD-5 Micro
The BD-5's reputation precedes it: long in development, company bankruptcy, investor losses, challenging to fly, early accidents. With an introduction like that, who would think this micro plane would be such a positively straightforward blast to fly?
