Magazine

Builders share their successes.

How do you turn out non-cylindrical objects with your lathe? Why, by using a four-jaw chuck, of course. And there's a way to effectively employ that 'ole' adjustable wrench that might have escaped you for years; by Bob Fritz.

Columnist Jim Weir sounds off on an all-purpose beeper that will work for most anything you want to call attention to in the cockpit.

The diagnosis of pitch sensitivity problems boils down to one of two things: too little static margin or control system problems. This month we discuss how to modify the airplane to fix them;

Two builders helped each other build RV-9As, each employing significantly different outlays of cash. The results are impressive in both cases, but for different reasons. They help us ponder the question as we build: What is something worth? By Marc Cook.

Although it may resemble its predecessor, this new helo represents a significant evolutionary leap.

Those who plan to build an aircraft from a kit would do well to visit the factory and get to know not only the owners but also the operation. So counsels Editor-in-Chief Marc Cook, whose recent visit to the RANS factory left him favorably impressed. RANS manufacturing is diversified to weather the ups and downs of the market, and the company knows what works and sticks to it.

A WxWorx partner will help upgrade Nexrad, MGL Avionics Odyssey EFIS ships in the U.S., Sky-Tec offers the RX12 starter for Rotax 912/914 series engines, and TrickAir offers skis for the American Legend Aircraft Legend Cub.

Although not a huge factor in airplane crashes, carbon monoxide poisoning does contribute to accidents each year. This is entirely avoidable with a good, functional carbon monoxide detector in the cockpit. The choices in these units have increased over the years, so now there's no excuse to do without this useful tool; by Rick Lindstrom.

Columnist and RV builder Dan Checkoway advocates keeping it simple so that you can actually afford to fuel and fly your homebuilt aircraft. He claims many builders buy into the hype about the latest and greatest equipment must-haves, and then complain about the price at the pump.