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,...
Start Building Your Aircraft With a Subkit
Deciding to build an aircraft does not have to be one big, final decision.
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...
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...
500-hour Inspection vs. Overhaul
About every 500 hours, your magnetos need to be inspected and repaired as needed (IRAN) to keep them performing well. Some of this work...
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...
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.
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...
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...
In Case You Missed it
Around the Patch
Taking a measured, conservative approach to the development of new technologies and basing decisions on real-world experience rather than hearsay is the best way to move forward in homebuilding.
