Companion DIY Drill Guide
Build a simple aluminum jig to drill AN bolt threads for safety wiring—perfect for when your hardware bin is missing just one critical part.
The “Rope A Dope” Trick To Avoid Replacing Cylinders
It’s never a good sign when during your aircraft annual inspection the mechanic calls to report an issue. It’s sort of like getting a...
Aircraft Welding Methods for Homebuilders
The choice of welding method for your homebuilt aircraft's steel tube fuselage represents one of the most critical decisions in your building journey. Each...
![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-2-324x235.jpg "Think Like A Builder")
![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-4-324x235.jpg "Think Like a Builder")
Think Like a Builder
When a project moves outside your knowledge base, knowing when to bring in help is the mark of a smart builder.
In Case You Missed It
Lighting up the Tail Feathers
For a couple of months now, we’ve been laying the groundwork for an overhaul...
Free Flight
There are many reasons that building your own airplane takes awhile. Columnist Paul Dye details the pitfalls of completing one seemingly simple maintenance task, which brings into focus the bigger picture.
Aero ‘lectrics
In this first of a two-part series, Jim Weir builds a low-cost, high-efficiency portable ground-based antenna system that he used to great effect in the recent CAFE 400 (fuel efficiency) race in Northern California. You can do it, too.