Commander Klutz and the Lost Planet Airmen
It’s a fair assumption most KITPLANES® readers were not big on essay writing in school, which at least left me with a job (I’m...
Tail First
“Where did you get this?” my mom demanded, shaking a thick brown envelope at me. One that had been hidden under my mattress. I...
Do Diligence
About 25 years ago, my wife and I designed our home. We were intrigued by a new home heating and cooling technology called Triathlon....
Always Attack
As I settle into my new life in Oregon, where I know hardly anyone but hope to know more, I find myself in the...
Tipping Point
Sunrise on the Gulf Coast. No matter the time of year, the critical hour as the sun breaks the horizon is always interesting. In...
Do ADs Apply to Homebuilts? (Part 236)
Last month Kerry Fores’ provocatively titled column, “No One Is Watching” (Building Time, March 2023), resulted in comments from readers who latched onto one...
51 Questions
The press of business being what it is, I recently found myself in bucolically superior British Columbia at Murphy Aircraft. The major result of...
Tribute to Teachers and Mentors
I write this submission during the month of November when traditionally we ponder and express gratitude for things, some would say blessings, that we...
No One Is Watching
For better or worse, kit manufacturers are under no FAA oversight. There are no independent engineering reviews. No mandatory wing loading or landing-gear drop...
What’s Ahead?
As we close out 2022 (as I am writing this) and reflect on a year that showed both immense promise—people continue to build and...
In Case You Missed It
Build Your Skills: Fabric
The fabric has been applied to the airplane structure, its been tightened properly, and now its time to apply the first chemical coat to seal it. Ron Alexander takes you through the process and also introduces the various ways of attaching the fabric.
Build Your Skills: Composites (Part 8)
Last months installment in the Composites series detailed how to do vacuum-bagging of parts at home. This month author Bob Fritz discusses how to inexpensively build one critical component in that process: the vacuum pump.
Take Your Time Taking Delivery
There are identifiable times when flying becomes more dangerous. One that plays out in...