Light it Up!
How many times have you been working in the depths of your aircraft's fuselage, a flashlight in your mouth, and a work light burning...
Hinges For Your Homebuilt
Piano hinges find themselves in all kinds of places as we examine the structure of our homebuilt aircraft. Providing a pivoting mechanism for control...
Fourier Strikes Again
Ah, the email call for April 15, 2022, just arrived. Michael Zwijacz wrote to me: “Hello Jim, I’ve been following you in KITPLANES® for many...
Homemade Open-End Wrench
Anyone who knows me is familiar with my love of homemade tools. It comes from my dad. He was a blacksmith in my youth,...
Aero ‘lectrics
If you've got sticker shock after shopping for a main electrical system junction box, Jim Weir will ease your pain with a junction box you can build (and a cool color-coding system, to boot).
Broken Battery Hold-Down Bracket
This battery hold-down bracket was discovered in an RV-10 during a condition inspection. It is a very serious safety issue that probably needs no...
First Flight Experiences
I’ve done quite a few first flights for new builders. I lost count when the number went over 40. Most of them have been...
Firewall Forward: Compression Testing
Unlock the mysteries of the aircraft-engine leakdown test, otherwise known as the differential compression test. KITPLANES engine meister Paul Dye breaks down the process...