Is there anybody out there building a Windrose? I've been building mine on again off again for the past 10 years or so. It's a 15 metre type and it's almost finished. What I'm doing now is the wing finishing, which is alot of filling and sanding. But it's going really well since I figured out how...

Hey Guys, I've been bitten bad by the aviators bug... (gotten 10 hours of flying time in 3 weeks... having an unbelievable time). I've been trying to figure out a long term plan to help offset some of the costs of flying (some, not all)... One Idea I've been considering is combine flying with my...

Hey Guys, I know that ducted fans are somewhat the sophomoric siren of amateur aircraft design... Such tantalizing performance benefits (No PSRU/ higher fan/prop speeds, much better control of thrust airfoil environment, greater propulsion mass for small fan diameter, etc) only problem is, they...

Hey Guys- Has anyone ever attempted to install a Hilsch Tube (Vortex Tube) in an aircraft for environmental controls? The setup I see would be very light, a 3 foot long PVC vortex tube (no more than 5 lbs) with a small exhaust turbocharger force-feeding it. Yes the Hilsch tube is not a...

Dear listers, I need some help. Three weeks ago I had to push an airframe I was working on, into the open, as I needed space. The lexan windshield was installed with the protective plastic masking left in place. The plastic masking has deteriorated to such an extend, that I can not get it off the...

Listers, I need help, please. About three weeks ago I had to push an airframe that I was working on, out into the open for space requirements. The windshield was intalled on this airframe, but still covered in the protective plastic "masking" to prevent scratching. Now, after three weeks in the...

I have this overwhelming urge to build a Lancair 360 so I'm searching for an unfinished kit that's in good condition. If you know of anyone with one of these beautiful aircraft that has been "orphaned" in the back of there garage or hanger kindly pass my name along to them. Thanks a bunch. Erik...

I have just been informed by the designer of the aircraft that I am building that there is a possibility that he may not allow me to use an alternative engine. Granted that weight and balance, as well as power requirements must reasonably lie within allowable ranges, what is the roll of the...

I'm working on putting a capitive fuel gauge into my welded aluminum tank. In consideration of how to bring the wire from one of the plates out of the tank...the best I've been able to come up with is to weld in a 3/16" tube run the wire through it, and pack it full of a ProSeal type epoxy. ...

Getting ferric chloride from Radio Shack is getting problematic. Is there a common household chemical that I can use for etching a circuit board or two? I seem to remember Jim Weir having an article about how to do it in the not to distant past, but I can't find anything about it in my back...

Jim, that was an excellent article in last month's kit plane. I'll be getting the parts together to build one here shortly. There was also a nice article in Sport Aviation (for a change), that actually showed how to build something. In this case a battery desulfator. The question is, how...

What is the best way to secure plastic tubing to aluminum pitot tubes. The plastic hose will slide over the aluminum tube, though it requires quite a bit of push to get more than 1/2". Would a couple of spring clamps work, or is something more significant called for?

A while back, someone posted design information for creating a square 'propeller' that could be used for determining the actual power produced by the engine. I've since changed computers and have lost the posting, and I've not been able to locate it with Google's search engine. Does anyone...

Mr. Hoover, I've been pondering the thermal barrier and thermal dispersants that you've advocated several times. Ponder with me for a moment if you will. I've got an experimental engine, with an experimental cooling setup. Do know for guaranteed that the cooling will be sufficient, so I'll be...

Jim, you have an article on a design for a strobe on your website. I've gone to Mouser to get the parts, but about half of them are invalid. Is it possible that you could do an update on that article, or maybe just an updated parts list? -- This is by far the hardest lesson about freedom....

I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and try my hand at gas welding aluminum. I have the TinMan's video. I have the flux. And I have lots of experience welding...steel. The one question I have is cleaning the flux. The video has the TinMan welding and then cleaning coupons with a damp rag. ...

I can't figure this one out. I want to add a retractable step that will stick out of the fuselage at a 40 degree from vertical angle. It sticks out 10" and is made of 3/4" square, .065 thick, 4130 tube. Assuming no weakness in the support, will this support a 300lb man (me with all my luggage on...

I bought a set of Goodyear wheels at the Mid-Atlantic Flyin held in Lumberton, NC last Saturday. They were fairly dirty, but only cost $10 and cleaned up real nice. I elected not to carry home the brake calipers, they as it would be too hard to make them fit my installation. Figured someone else...

I have some 4130 steel parts that slide in other 4130 steel parts, but only occasionally. Most of the time the parts just sit around waiting to be used. What is the best to keep the surfaces from rusting? Paint is out, as it would clog the mechanism. -- This is by far the hardest lesson about...

What d'ya think, veedubber? Unit is from a Harley-Davidson. 9.5 lbs installed (including all mounting hardware). $288.17 (including tax) 38 Amps No belts or...