Kit Airplane Construction — 3rd Edition

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Item # MH-59731  ISBN: 0071459731




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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.

Table of Contents

Preface | Acknowledgments

Beginning
Definitions | History

Fundamentals
Answering common questions | Why build? | Drawbacks | The kitbuilding process | Case study: the family Long-EZ

Alternatives
Production aircraft | Used homebuilts | Partially completed homebuilts | Light sport aircraft | Ultralights

Selection
Determining your mission | Performance and features | Case study: finding the right match | Cost of construction | Construction time | The plans | The manufacturer | The aircraft | The big decision

Decisions
Can you afford to own an airplane? | Engine selection | Certified aircraft engines | Uncertified engines | Propeller selection | Instruments | Avionics

Preparations
Shipping | Case study: from factory to garage | Workshop requirements | Workshop arrangements | Tools | Other shop items | Ready to build

Basics
The nuts and bolts | Basic metal construction | Aircraft cable and accessories | Build to last

Composite Construction
Additional tools | Materials, fasteners, and safety | Composite kit parts | Layup preparations | Layup operations | Finishing fiberglass | Case study: tackling a big one | Quality control

Metal-Monocoque Construction
Additional tools | Materials, fasteners, and safety | Metalworking | Riveting | Priming | Case study: an RV for retirement | Quality control

Steel- and Aluminum-Tube Construction
Additional tools | Materials, fasteners, and safety | Welded structures | Aluminum-tube structures | Case study: Avid Magnum | Quality control

Wood-and-Fabric Construction
Additional tools | Materials, fasteners, and safety | Cutting | Final shaping | Bending | Gluing | Protection | Case study: Falco | Fabric covering | Covering procedure | Quality control

Completion
Painting | Rigging and center of gravity | The legalities | Aircraft preparations | Engine start | Ground testing and FAA inspection | Pilot preparations | The day | Case study: a first-flight report

Afterword: Get 'em flying! | Glossary

Kit Airplane Construction — 3rd Edition