Dave Prizio
Dave Prizio has been plying the skies of the L.A. basin and beyond since 1973. Born into a family of builders, it was only natural that he would make his living as a contractor and spend his leisure time building airplanes. He has so far completed four—two GlaStars, a Glasair Sportsman, and a Texas Sport Cub—and is helping a friend build an RV-8. When he isn’t building something, he shares his love of aviation with others by flying Young Eagles or volunteering as an EAA Technical Counselor. He is also an A&P mechanic, Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR), and was a member of the EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council for six years.
The Ultimate Upgrade
Veteran pilots and kit builders, Wendell and Martha Solesbee make the reasoned decision to embark on a Lancair Evo build—the ultimate upgrade to their already-impressive homebuilt fleet.
STOL Brothers
A number of kit manufacturers have capitalized on the Cubs enduring appeal with Cub-alike designs, each of which has something unique to offer.
Build a Bear: Keeping It Real
Dave Prizio and his Build-a-Bear crew get the Texas Sport Cub ready for flight testing, and take to the skies.
Build a Bear: Some Assembly Required
Much more than Tab A into Slot B: Team Prizio assembles the Texas Sport Cub.
Build a Bear: Mellow Yellow
Dave Prizio and team build a paint booth (too small), test drive charcoal masks and bunny suits, and discover the joys of covering your homebuilt plane with $400 per gallon paint.
Build a Bear: Put the Fabric in Fabrication
Dave Prizio evaluates the two major fabric covering systems – PolyFiber and Air-Tech – and sets to work, patiently covering his Texas Sport Cub airframe.
Build a Bear: Moving Right Along
It’s starting to look like a Sport Cub. Dave Prizio gets to work on the systems and finishes the wings.
Build a Bear: Taking Stock
The big truck bringing Dave Prizio’s Texas Sport Cub arrives, and the inventory and painting processes begin.
Man on a Mission
Tom Needham, with the help of his son Daniel and numerous friends, completes a Sportsman 2+2 and will use the plane's big hauling capacity and short-field performance to shuttle people and supplies between remote locations in Africa.
Build a Bear: Third Time Charm
Repeat offender Dave Prizio goes for his third strike, ultimately deciding to build an Texas Sport Cub.
In Case You Missed It
The Home Machinist (Part 10)
You're not alone if you've been flummoxed or frustrated when trying to decode technical drawings or blueprints. They seem to use a language all their own, one that many of us are not privy to. Fear not. Author Bob Fritz will give you the tools you need to visualize the item being described, and hell make such documents intelligible to the uninitiated.
Ask the DAR
Condition inspections, N-number problems, removing an electrical system and transponder.
