Following is a list of aircraft builders’ sites, books, articles, suppliers, tech specs, instructional documents and other material I found useful throughout the building process.

Books

• Kit Airplane Construction Introduction to kit selection and building.
• Sheet Metal Building Basics EAA’s illustrated beginner’s manual.
• Aircraft Structural Technician Dale Hurst’s in-depth and practical textbook.
• Standard Aircraft Handbook The definitive manual for aviation mechanics.
• Aviation Mechanic Handbook Dale Crane’s spiral-bound standard.
• Aircraft Inspection, Repair & Alterations The official reference, AC 43.13.
• 27 Years of the RVator Every technical article ever printed by Van’s, 1980–2006.
• Tony Bingelis Builders Series Set of four, recommended by Van’s.
• Aeroelectric Connection Aircraft electrical systems.
• Flight Testing Homebuilt Aircraft Vaughan Askue’s classic.

FAA Forms and Advisory Circulars

• Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft AC 20-27G. ^{New 51% Rule}
• Amateur-Built Aircraft Flight Testing Handbook AC 90-89A.
• Application for U.S. Airworthiness Certificate AC 21-12B.
• Commercial Assistance During Construction of Amateur-Built Aircraft AC 20-139.
• Certification of Repairmen AC 65-23A.
• Aircraft Inspection, Repair & Alterations AC 43.13-1B & 2B.
• Required Documents Checklist Everything you’ll need prior to certification.

Technical Articles and Specifications

• CAFE Foundation A goldmine of technical data for light aircraft.
• Corrosion Control Muroc EAA Chapter 1000.
• Standardized Work Tables Muroc EAA Chapter 1000.
• Technical Articles Index Muroc EAA Chapter 1000.
• MIL-R-47196A: Rivet Installation Military standards for driven rivets.
• SEM Self-Etching Primer 39683 MSDS Safety data for 15.5 oz. aerosol.
• SEM Self-Etching Primer 39681/4 MSDS Safety data for quart/gallon containers.

RV Builders

• Randy Lervold’s RV-8 Sheepskin seats, detailed Whirl Wind prop evaluation.
• Randy’s RV-3 Works The paradigm for simplicity and utility.
• Scott & Tanya Card’s RV-8 Showplanes fastback and canopy.
• Kevin Horton’s RV-8 Excellent documentation and test data.
• BowenAero.com Larry Bowen’s “Nifty” RV-8.
• RV7Factory.com Brad Oliver’s well-documented RV-7 project.
• The RV Journal Sam Buchanan’s RV-6 project and APRS how-to.
• Toad’s RV-8 Project Nathan Garrett’s detailed build log.
• Matt Dralle’s RV-8 Aluminum windscreen bezel.

Tools and Supplies

• Van’s Aircraft Parts List “The List” of replacement kit parts, updated daily.
• Aircraft Spruce Home Depot for homebuilders. They have nearly everything.
• Brown Aviation Tool Supply Good prices on high-end professional gear.
• Cleaveland Aircraft Tool Main Squeeze hand squeezer and great RV starter kits.
• Avery Tools Don’t mess with Texas. Quality tools, fair prices.
• The Yard Great for bargains, especially on used tools.
• M-D SmartTool Module Electronic digital level with 1/10° accuracy.

Aftermarket Mods

• Show Planes Fastback turtledeck and tipover canopy.
• Todd’s Canopies High-quality tinted plexiglass.
• Grove Aircraft Airfoil landing gear, 067-50 brake fluid reservoirs.
• James Aircraft Performance cowling and plenum.
• JD Air Parts Tailwheel steering link.
• Flyboy Accessories Jantzi tailwheel steering link.
• Andair Fuel system accessories.

Instrument Panel and Avionics

• Advanced Flight Systems EFIS, engine monitor, AOA.
• Grand Rapids Technologies SV EFIS, engine monitor.
• Dynon Avionics Lightweight, low-cost EFIS, engine monitor, AOA.
• PS Engineering Small, lightweight intercoms.
• Zaon Flight Systems Traffic collision avoidance system.
• SPOT Satellite Messenger GPS location tracking and SOS.
• NavWorx ADS600 ADS-B for general aviation.

Electrical and Lighting

• Vertical Power VP-X solid state electronic circuit breaker system.
• The AeroElectric Connection Articles on wiring your experimental aircraft.
• AeroLEDs LED nav, strobe and landing lights.
• Duckworks Aviation HID xenon leading edge landing lights.
• Electrical Systems Simplified EAA’s gentle introduction.
• Top 10 Aircraft Wiring Mistakes Vertical Power’s intro to aircraft wiring.

Interior

• Oregon Aero Seat cushions and upholstery.
• Flightline Interiors Custom upholstery for RVs.
• Hooker Harness Five-point aerobatic seatbelts.
• AEROX Aviation oxygen systems.
• Softie Parachutes Comfortable emergency parachutes.

Engines and Accessories

• ECi Titan EXP Experimental IO-360 engine.
• Aero Sport Power Experimental IO-360 engine.
• Teledyne Mattituck Experimental IO-360 engine.
• Barrett Precision Engines Experimental IO-360 engine.
• Whirl Wind Aviation Lightweight composite two- and three-blade CS props.
• Vetterman Exhaust Custom exhaust systems.
• Light Speed Engineering Electronic ignition systems.
• Airflow Performance Fuel injection systems, intake manifolds.
• Skybolt C-Loc cowl fasteners.

Flight Training

• RV Transition Training Van’s recommended instructors.
• FAST National Formation Manual Proposed standards for civilian formation flight.
• T-34 Primary Formation Manual USN standards for T-34C formation flight training.
• Tutima Academy of Aviation Safety Sean Tucker’s aerobatic flight school.

Pilot Gear

• Gibson & Barnes Flight suits, leather jackets, helmets.