Runway Three Seven

March 24, 2030 by Kerry Fores

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Experimental Aircraft, Homebuilding, Hangar Flying.

I write mostly for fun, but much of what is here springs from my gig as a contributing editor for KITPLANES magazine. My path here began in middle school.

I learned to fly at age 16, soloed at 17. In 1998 I began building an airplane—a Sonex—from thirteen sheets of dented aluminum. I polished it and named it Metal Illness. It was awarded Plans Built Champion at AirVenture 2006. From 2003 until 2023 I was Sonex Aircraft’s tech support guy, supporting other builders.

The Nuts and Bolts of Nuts and Bolts

January 23, 2024 by Kerry Fores

The focus of this article is on AN bolt length selection, washer usage and nut installation for structural joints. In covering this topic my goal is to give you the knowledge—and the permission—to choose the proper length bolt regardless of what a kit’s assembly documentation calls for. If you need to pour yourself a drink before we begin, I understand. I did.