Julia Downie
2009 Rotorcraft Buyer’s Guide
In Part 3 of our Annual Buyer's Guides, we present a variety of homebuilt rotorcraft, among which are some Light Sport gyroplanes; compiled by Julia Downie.
2009 Plansbuilt Buyer’s Guide
There will always be people who want to fly, but who are looking for a more economical way to own their own aircraft. Plansbuilts offer an attractive option, and this year we give the specs and photos for some 175 designs you can build from scratch; compiled by Julia Downie.
In Case You Missed It
Ski Patrol
RANS S-7S builder Tom Simko details how his desire to fly year-round in snow country was satisfied (and then some) by installing Datum wheel skis.
The Kitchen Window
BD-4 builder Steven Mahoney commandeers the family's four-burner kitchen appliance to complete a mod for his airplane, and lives to tell the tale.
The Home Machinist
If you need to send a part out to be built by a professional shop, a good drawing, well identified, is essential. The KISS principle applies, and be sure you don't request closer tolerances or more exotic materials than you really need, or it will cost you.
