Recommended Reading?

[Beast]

In an effort to prepare myself for the endeavor of building, I've been scouring the net for books and resources. I already ordered Russ Erb's reference CD and found a copy of AC 43.13-1B on the FAA's website. Are there any other books that I should consider? I see Tony Bingelis's name mentioned a lot. Is there a book or reference that you could not do another build without? I figure the more information the better, or am I suffering from analysis paralysis again?

[Blackrock]

The Bingelis books are great. So is the info and videos on the EAA member site. Having said that, reading is one thing, but there is no substitute for doing. I suggest starting and don't be afraid to mess up once in a while. You can always remake a part. You'll learn as you go. Perfection is the enemy of completion so learn what your individual standards and completion schedule are. That way you can bracket your progress. Building is making a whole lot of little parts, until one day you have enough to turn them into a plane.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

I second Blackrock's suggestion of the Bingelis books. And if you're in the mood to come hang out with us crazy Wisconsiners in the dead of winter, the SportAir Workshops in Oshkosh the last week of January are an amazing way to get your hands dirty. Since I'm lucky enough to live close, I've actually taken almost all of the classes (except fabric covering because they're teach a process that conflicts with the one I want to use), and some of them twice!

[Bcone1381]

I will be attending the SportAir welding workshop next month in Oshkosh that Chris mentioned. Is anyone else going? Chris, will you be there?

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Yes sir, I'll be there! I'll likely be taking the sheetmetal class (although I've already taken it twice). A good friend is an apprentice A&P and attending his first workshop with me, so I'll be his moral support.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

I'm here! Chose the fabric class this time. The only one I haven't had yet. Where can I find you? I'll have a name tag on, and a blue EAA sweatshirt. I see you're taking welding?

Chris

[jaredyates]

Here's a link to the Bingelis books:

https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa-shop/homebuilders_corner/2251598800000__bingelis-set-of-4

If you ask around, you might be able to find a used set. These books cover general things like making fuel lines, cutting threads, choosing engines, etc. I've had people tell me that they were not useful at all, but they were very useful to a first-time builder like me. I found that it had great articles about building mindset.

For type-specific information, the Beartracks newsletters are good. The 1995-2001 era are indexed on your CD from Russ, and they are also available for free on my recent project at http://bearhawk.tips. This is the same info that Bob used to create the "Bearhawk Book" that he included with your plans. The newsletters from 2002-2015 are also available at the same site, but require payment for access. The complete PDF versions that you can get from http://bearhawkstore.com are also available on the http://bearhawk.tips. site, but the latter also has each article broken down separately to allow for easier searching, revisions, and commentary for each article. Once a few more people start using it and help verify that it works, I'll probably remove the newsletters from the bearhawkstore.com site and direct people solely to the newer site instead.

[dedgemon]

aeroelectric.com

[mswain]

If you are an EAA member, you have access to the magazine archives on their website including Bingelis's column from over the years. As far as I can tell, the books are an organized version of the articles he wrote.

There are some indexes people have put together on topics: http://www.eaa1000.av.org/refernce/artindex.htm

[Phil]

I find that a copy of Vans preview plans/instruction book to be very helpful. Lots of really good step by step info on aluminum construction all in one place.

[lsa140]

This book is an excellent resource for 4130 fuselage construction:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...sttubeassy.php