My homebuilt's master contactor is going bad. Sometimes when I turn it on it doesn't make connection. It's got 1700 hours on it, so I'd just as soon replace it. But the way the builder wired it, he's has positive power from the battery going through the master switch to the small terminal on the...

Fix the high cost High Cost of Sportplanes "Any mass produced successful sport aircraft today ought to have folding wings, whether it's trailered or if it goes in a community hanger. There is a folding wing mod for the venerable Ercoupe (it's STC'd or their equivalent in Canada, I'm not sure...

I was wondering if anyone else was designing (or maybe even progressed to building) a homebuilt aircraft based on the PBY Catalina? The reason I ask is that I have been thinking of designing one for some time. Now that I have 1 year to go before finishing my BS in ME, I have decided to begin...

Has anyone been able to find the weight on the VW V10 diesel engine? This engine produces 550 lb/ft of torque at 2000 rpm and 310 hp at 3750 rpm. Sounds like a great candidate for aircraft to me. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system...

I am building an LED tail light for my Lancair 360. It uses 6 ea 5 watt luxeon LEDs. I can strobe 1 amp through each of these which should give enough light to satisfy the FAA regs. Runs surprisingly cool. I have posted photos he http://w1.lancair.net/pix/album01\ Its not quite finished,...

I read in Avweb that a predator crashed, recently. Anyone wanna make a bet, that it's Rotax puked? g Sorry, everyone. I couldn't pass up the opportunity! :-) -- Jim in NC

I want to mark sheetmetal for bending. Can't use a scribe because I'll weaken the metal. Magic Marker is too thick. Pencil doesn't show. What do you use? - Mike

I'm looking for a sealant or kit to seal brass NPT inserts into a polyethylene tank. This is a Kitfox header tank that has developed a leak at one of the inserts. I'm probably going to use Mogas that has ethanol additives. Any hints, tips, thoughts? Thanks, Rob

As most of you know, after a fairly long 33 year attendance record at The Show, Gail and I decided that we could only afford one long trip last year and we had a "must do" radio show gig in Anchorage last July. Montblack got my dorm reservations and I just flat forgot to re-register for this...

1. If you buy something defective from ACS, watch out. That 1-year warranty on a Mitchell cylinder head temperature gauge is worthless as the teats on a boar hog. Run-around time today: 45 minutes wasted. Their customer service manager, Carolyn Lyon, in Atlanta will put you on hold...

Okay, so I've been "volunteered" to be on the board of directors of the biggest fly-in event in Iowa City's history, the Eastern Iowa Big Kids Toy Show, scheduled for May 20 - 21, 2006. See us at www.BigKidToyShow.com (Yes, they made me wear a -- *sob* -- TIE for the photos... It was awful! ...

Anyone in the fiberglass / aluminum sheet metal industry ( or other successful enthusiasts ) interested in contributing to some experimentation. If you are interested, and willing to have the results released to the public, I think we could make a real contribution to this debate & perhaps offer...

Howdy, How does FAA type certification relate to intellectual property rights? For example: everything in an O-235 has been out of patent for years now. Same with old aircraft designs. Is there any reason why somebody couldn't tool up and start ripping out O-235s, and selling them new? I ask...

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/9180849p-10080739c.html

From the Sport Pilot final rule: "The FAA has reconsidered the circumstances in which a current and valid U.S. driver's license should be allowed in lieu of a valid airman medical certificate and has made substantive revisions to the medical provisions in the final rule. These revisions are based...

You guys have written some cool stories in a thread above. Here's one I wrote tonight. Here's fictional story number #69a. It's not polished. It's just a draft. Some of you might like it. Some of you might identify with it. But, most of all, I hope you enjoy it because I hope it puts you there....

Can anyone tell me the truth? When I read articles about the difference between the two woods, the information says that fir is 23% stronger than spruce. When I talk to people they say only 10%. Anyone got a handle on this? Lou

I am still working on home remodel so it will be some time before the airplane gets started. I am pretty darn convinced that I am going to do an all wood and fabric airplane. More than likely, the Fisher Tiger Moth. Anyway, I have come to the point in my home remodel that I am going to need an air...

Well folks I am struggling here. I know what I want to build but I am having trouble justifing starting the project. This is what I have going on. New baby coming in January (I'm excited). Trying to complete the new master bedroom (Make room for new baby). Going to school. And am a national...

Hey Ron, Ok, now that I am infamous, where are the riches you promised. Just got my September issue of KitPlanes and saw the story on Building a Home Page. Great article and I was pleased to see my Web Page in the composite shot at the beginning of the article. I was really surprised to see a...