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Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson
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Pumping avgas and waxing flight school airplanes got Tom into general aviation in 1973, but the lure of racing cars and motorcycles sent him down a motor journalism career heavy on engines and racing. Today he still writes for peanuts and flies for fun.

A Chock Talk

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About a year ago my son whittled us some traveling chocks, just bits of 2-inch aluminum angle Swiss-cheesed to save weight. We’re a performance...

2020 Engine Buyer’s Guide

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Get your aero motivation here!

Long-EZs and More

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If there’s a chance to meet or hear an aviation celebrity speak, it’s my observation it’s worth the effort. Much of this is just...

Living With RVs

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For the last 20 plus years any person who’s thought of building their own airplane has had to get past one big question: “Why...

Cracks, Both Foreign and Domestic

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Perhaps like me, you missed the big show this year. That is, they ran AirVenture without me, and I’m not sure anyone really noticed....

Findlay Dominates

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Weather was a factor on Sunday for the final Gold races at Reno. High winds were forecast and materialized just long enough mid-morning to...

Anticipating Sunday in Reno

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Depending on where you look, the racing this year at Reno ranges from decline to epic. Luckily for KITPLANES readers the epic contests are...
Leakdown-Tester

The Big Scare

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You look down at the instruments, and instantly energy drains down your body as if bomb bay doors on the soles of your feet had opened and the concrete floor were a sponge.
Starduster too on the ramp

Rear Cockpit: The Other Guy’s Plane

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In a parallel life of mine—auto journalism—shop talk occasionally got around to just how few cars the average person probably drives in their lifetime....
Tom Aberle said he looked at Phantom daily for a couple of years trying to decide if it was ugly or beautiful, and while its combination of angles and curves is unique, its 12 championships make it beautiful in our eyes.

Biplane Gold

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Phantom dominates biplane pylon racing by harnessing traditional homebuilding talent.

In Case You Missed It

Alternative Energies

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Electric Light Sport Aircraft are few and far between, owing primarily to the heavy batteries eating into LSA weight restrictions. The Alternair Amp is poised to change all that. By Dean Sigler.

Best Practices – Blind Rivets

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Blind rivet selection and installation.

Timing

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Building an airplane is something that requires not only specific shop skills and experience,...

Dental Work

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Broken starter ring gear teeth.