Kit Airplane Construction / Edition 3

by Ron Wanttaja

Overview

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Featuring new and classic kitplane designs, this proven bestseller is the most current and comprehensive resource available on choosing, building, and flying homebuilt planes. Covering tubing and fabric, wood, traditional sheet metal, and the latest composites, Kit Airplane Construction uses step-by-step instructions and detailed case studies of kitplane models to give amateur plane builders the knowledge needed to create and fly their own aircraft.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780071459730
Publisher:	McGraw Hill LLC
Publication date:	08/23/2005
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.97(d)

About the Author

Ronald J. Wanttaja is an award-winning aviation writer and a systems engineer with Boeing, working in satellite orbit/constellation design and analysis, launch vehicle and onboard propulsion system trades, and operations concepts for space systems. He worked on the early design studies for the International Space Station. An Air Force veteran, he was an on-duty operator for the Defense Support Program missile early-warning satellite. As a freelance aviation journalist, he has written for Private Pilot, Flying, Sport Aviation, Flight Line, Kitplanes, and other publications. He is author of the book Airplane Ownership, also from McGraw-Hill. His aviation writing has won several prizes, including the EAA "Bax Seat Trophy" and a journalism award from the Aviation/Space Writer's Association. Mr. Wanttaja has also written and published historical fiction.

Table of Contents

	Preface	ix
	Acknowledgments	xi
1	Beginnings	1
	Definitions	3
	History	6
2	Fundamentals	15
	Answering common questions	16
	Why build?	18
	Drawbacks	20
	The kitbuilding process	25
	Case study: The family Long-EZ	41
3	Alternatives	46
	Production aircraft	46
	Used homebuilts	50
	Partially completed homebuilts	52
	Light sport aircraft	58
	Ultralights	62
4	Selection	68
	Determining your mission	68
	Performance and features	71
	Case study: Finding the right match	79
	Cost of construction	82
	Construction time	89
	The plans	93
	The manufacturer	95
	The aircraft	101
	The big decision	107
5	Decisions	110
	Can you afford to own an airplane?	110
	Engine selection	119
	Certified aircraft engines	119
	Uncertified engines	131
	Propeller selection	147
	Instruments	151
	Avionics	155
6	Preparations	160
	Shipping	160
	Case study: From factory to garage	167
	Workshop requirements	169
	Workshop arrangements	177
	Tools	183
	Other shop items	197
	Ready to build	202
7	Basics	203
	The nuts and bolts	204
	Basic metal construction	214
	Aircraft cable and accessories	230
	Build to last	246
8	Composite construction	252
	Additional tools	256
	Materials, fasteners, and safety	258
	Composite kit parts	263
	Layup preparations	266
	Layup operations	275
	Finishing fiberglass	287
	Case study: Tackling a big one	291
	Quality control	296
9	Metal-monocoque construction	298
	Additional tools	299
	Materials, fasteners, and safety	302
	Metalworking	304
	Riveting	312
	Priming	326
	Case study: An RV for retirement	332
	Quality control	335
10	Steel-and aluminum-tube construction	338
	Additional tools	341
	Materials, fasteners, and safety	343
	Welded structures	344
	Aluminum-tube structures	351
	Case study: Avid Magnum	371
	Quality control	374
11	Wood-and-fabric construction	376
	Additional tools	378
	Materials, fasteners, and safety	380
	Cutting	385
	Final shaping	389
	Bending	390
	Gluing	392
	Protection	397
	Case study: Falco	398
	Fabric covering	402
	Covering procedure	408
	Quality control	416
12	Completion	418
	Painting	418
	Rigging and center of gravity	427
	The legalities	431
	Aircraft preparations	433
	Engine start	437
	Ground testing and FAA inspection	439
	Pilot preparations	444
	The day	448
	Case study: A first-flight report	450
	Afterword: Get 'em flying	453
	Glossary	455
	Index	461