![SR-1 cowl being integrated with spinner and cooling ducts. The cowl is assembled to itself/to the fuse primarily with countersunk #8 screws. [All images credited to Eric Stewart]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1KP.jpg?w=534&h=462&crop=1 "Custom Cowl Fabrication: Building the SR-1 Composite Cowl")
![Trimming composites gets the full PPE job. [Credit: Eric Stewart]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7-2.jpg?w=265&h=198&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")
ERCuSi-A Silicon Bronze, the AlternaTIG Option
Last summer I had the chance to get some hands-on experience with TIG brazing. Other than a YouTube video or two, I knew next...
Ernie’s Room and Board
Way back in March ’23 (deep in snow here), I gave you the problem of Ernie, who needed a flashing light to see when...
Will That Be Paint or Powder?
There are two popular options for builders to consider for covering steel components.
LSA Tail Stand
I decided I needed a tail stand after my transponder inspection last spring. A normal transponder inspection is pretty basic: Turn on the avionics...
Complex Impedance
A loyal reader writes, “I have a homebuilt Bugsmasher with a couple of com radios. They are a FlashBoom 32X and a LoudenWhapper 22A....
How Fast Is a Speed Nut?
A “speed nut” is a somewhat generic term that is occasionally used for a one-piece spring steel fastener that we can use in our...
Memories
It was 1985 when this 42-year-old kid wrote an article for an upstart magazine aimed at the homebuilt aircraft market. Appearing in the October...
Bad Weld
Sometimes welding should be left to those more skilled in its practice. I don’t think I would trust this repair that was made to...
Spinner Bulkhead Clocking
Spinner woes were the topic of midsummer musings on Van’s Air Force this year. Specifically, Bill from Virginia commented how, after getting his Hartzell...
The Case of No Rotor RPM Indication
I am now in the flight-testing stage with my Hummingbird helicopter. Personally, I’ve always liked the 40 hours of required flight testing as it...
In Case You Missed It
Aero ‘lectrics
Transistors don't like excessive heat, but there's a way to beat it: an engineered heat sink.
Flight Testing
Organize your test program beforehand, and you not only maximize your use of time, but also understand your airplane far better than someone who is just running the hours off the clock.
