Maintenance

October 16, 2025October 21, 2025

The Five Keys to Airworthiness

Tips

By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911/Vintage 724296 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the September 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. We talk about airworthiness, but ... Read more

August 14, 2025October 20, 2025

Too Much Dependency?

Tips

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the June 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. From my last few columns, ... Read more

July 10, 2025October 20, 2025

Purchasing Vintage

Tips, Vintage

By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911/Vintage 724296 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the June 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Becky and Ron exited their ... Read more

July 3, 2025October 20, 2025

Why Risk It?

Tips

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the May 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. A few months ago on a ... Read more

June 5, 2025October 20, 2025

How Bad?

Tips

By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the May 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Even with spring around the corner, ... Read more

May 1, 2025October 20, 2025

Out With the Carb and in With Injection

Homebuilding, Tips

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the March 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. One of the most often ... Read more

April 9, 2025October 20, 2025

Common Sense Applied to Maintenance and Airworthiness

Tips

Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the March 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Steve Krog’s “Common Sense” commentary in the ... Read more

March 12, 2025October 20, 2025

The Technical Counselor Advantage

Tips

By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the February 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Readers of this column know that ... Read more

March 6, 2025October 17, 2025

So Many Choices

Member Stories, Tips

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the January 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Over the years, I have written ... Read more

February 13, 2025October 16, 2025

Not a Mechanic?

Homebuilding

By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the January 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. “Here’s my credit card.” “Thanks. That ... Read more

January 16, 2025October 16, 2025

Simple Maintenance? Maybe Not

Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the December 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Technicians were deep into their chores ... Read more

October 31, 2024October 16, 2025

Maintenance for Reliability

Member Stories, Tips

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the September 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. I know there’ve been a few ... Read more

October 10, 2024October 16, 2025

A Beginner’s Guide to Propeller Inspections

Member Stories, Tips

By Lisa Turner, EAA Lifetime 509911 This piece originally ran in Lisa’s Airworthy column in the September 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. I left the FBO and walked ... Read more

September 5, 2024October 20, 2025

The Importance of Service Bulletins

Homebuilding, Tips

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the July 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. In May’s column I promised an ... Read more

July 3, 2024October 17, 2025

Maintenance for Reliability

Homebuilding, Member Stories

By Vic Syracuse, EAA Lifetime 180848 This piece originally ran in Vic’s Checkpoints column in the May 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. At the end of the Part 1 ... Read more

May 15, 2024October 16, 2025

Should You Paint Your Airplane Yourself?

From The Hangar Floor, Homebuilding

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Lisa Turner discusses the pros and cons of painting your homebuilt aircraft yourself.

April 18, 2024October 17, 2025

The Dead Battery Surprise

From The Hangar Floor, Homebuilding

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Lisa Turner discusses the modern-day battery technology available for your aircraft and how to take care of the battery you have. ... Read more

April 10, 2024October 17, 2025

Winter Maintenance

From The Hangar Floor

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Vic Syracuse discusses the importance of proactive maintenance on your aircraft during the winter months.

March 14, 2024October 17, 2025

Understanding CHTs and EGTs

From The Hangar Floor

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Vic Syracuse discusses exhaust gas temperatures and cylinder head temperatures and when to be concerned about them.

December 14, 2023October 17, 2025

Got Logbooks?

Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Lisa Turner discusses some of the top problems found with logbooks during annuals and audits.

October 19, 2023October 17, 2025

Kick the Tires

Homebuilding, Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Lisa Turner discusses tips for keeping the tires on your aircraft in good condition.

June 22, 2023October 28, 2025

Fuel Systems

Homebuilding, Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Vic Syracuse discusses some of the intricacies of fuel systems within homebuilt aircraft.

May 25, 2023October 28, 2025

Propeller Adjustments

Homebuilding, Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Vic Syracuse provides some tips for installing the propeller on your aircraft.

May 4, 2023October 17, 2025

Those Pesky Details

Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Lisa Turner discusses the importance of planning for maintenance, performance, and safety.

May 1, 2023October 28, 2025

Made in the Shade

Homebuilding, Member Stories

How EAA member Bruce Spears used a DIY approach to cool the back seat of his Cessna 182.

May 1, 2023October 28, 2025

The Chips Are Down

EAA Canada, Homebuilding

I was having problems with the red beacon atop the fin of my aircraft. The breaker would occasionally pop and despite cleaning all the connections and grounds, and bench testing ... Read more

March 29, 2023October 28, 2025

Understanding Ignition Timing Differences

Homebuilding, Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Vic Syracuse discusses the nuances between magnetos and electronic ignition systems.

January 12, 2023October 29, 2025

Corrosion

Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Lisa Turner discusses the dangers of corrosion and the many factors that can lead to it developing in your aircraft.

October 26, 2022October 28, 2025

When Little Things Become Big Things

Homebuilding, Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Lisa Turner discusses how to avoid costly traps when it comes to your aircraft.

September 27, 2022October 28, 2025

Should You Wire Your Own Aircraft Project?

Homebuilding, Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Lisa Turner discusses the factors that need to be considered prior to wiring your aircraft project.

September 1, 2022October 28, 2025

Getting Attached

Homebuilding, Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Lisa Turner discusses some of the trouble spots when it comes to aircraft attachments.

August 23, 2022October 28, 2025

Trip Preparations — Part 2

Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Vic Syracuse discusses some of the things to think about when it comes to the maintenance of your aircraft prior to ... Read more

August 3, 2022October 28, 2025

Changing Things: Top Traps

Homebuilding, Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Lisa Turner discusses what to be aware of when considering making changes to your aircraft.

June 21, 2022October 22, 2025

Caveat Emptor

Tips

In a recent column for EAA Sport Aviation, contributor Vic Syracuse discusses the value and importance of a good prebuy inspection.

March 2, 2022October 17, 2025

Prelude to a Preflight

Homebuilding, Tips

EAA Sport Aviation contributor Lisa Turner discusses the key elements of developing a preflight checklist for your homebuilt aircraft in a recent column.

February 3, 2022

Blueprint for a Condition Inspection

From The Hangar Floor, Tips

EAA Sport Aviation contributor Lisa Turner discusses some tips for preparing your aircraft for its condition inspection in a recent column.

December 14, 2021October 28, 2025

Cooling Things Down

Homebuilding, Tips

EAA Sport Aviation contributor Vic Syracuse discusses why your engine may overheat in his latest column.

November 22, 2021October 28, 2025

Return to Service Traps

Tips

EAA Sport Aviation columnist Lisa Turner discusses some of the significant issues that can arise after your airplane goes in for major service, upgrades, and equipment installations, or if it’s ... Read more

October 18, 2021October 17, 2025

Starting Woes, Part 2

From The Hangar Floor, Tips

EAA Sport Aviation contributor Vic Syracuse finishes up his discussion on aircraft engine starting problems in his latest column.

September 28, 2021

Maintenance: Who Can Do What?

DIY, Homebuilding

EAA Sport Aviation columnist Lisa Turner takes a look at the training and qualifications needed for working on certain aircraft in a recent column.

September 22, 2021October 17, 2025

Pilots, Start Your Engines!

From The Hangar Floor, Tips

EAA Sport Aviation columnist Vic Syracuse discusses engine starting problems and gives some advice on the topic in a recent column.

August 31, 2021October 17, 2025

Denied

Tips

EAA Sport Aviation columnist Lisa Turner takes us through the top five reasons for airworthiness certification failure.

July 1, 2021October 17, 2025

What A&Ps Should Know About Experimental Aircraft

Homebuilding

The A&P mechanics reading EAA Sport Aviation are likely to know a lot about homebuilt airplanes. However, there is a large group of A&Ps who have not been exposed to ... Read more

April 15, 2021October 17, 2025

Snakes in the Preflight

DIY, Tips

Performing the airplane preflight inspection is one of the first skills we learn when starting our flight training. Most pilot’s operating handbooks tell us what to check and what to ... Read more

April 8, 2021October 17, 2025

Problems in the Exhaust System

DIY, Homebuilding

EAA Sport Aviation columnist Lisa Turner discusses aircraft exhaust systems in her latest piece.

April 8, 2021October 29, 2025

Tour Stop Challenges Are No Match For EAAers

Chapters, Warbirds

From roving TFRs to bird strike repairs, EAA members worked together to make the most of a visit from Aluminum Overcast.

April 1, 2021October 17, 2025

Where the Rubber Meets the Runway — Part 2

DIY, Homebuilding

In this column, as originally featured in the February 2021 issue of EAA Sport Aviation, Vic talks you through changing tires and brakes.

March 25, 2021October 28, 2025

Samantha the Riveter

Honoring The Past, Member Stories

A young A&P in California is channeling her inner “Rosie the Riveter” at an aircraft restoration shop.

March 4, 2021October 17, 2025

Where the Rubber Meets the Runway — Part 1

DIY

I’m always amazed at the condition of some of the tires we see when an airplane comes to our shop for a condition inspection. Sometimes, they are downright scary and ... Read more

February 11, 2021October 29, 2025

New Year Reflections

Chapters, Homebuilding

Questions and answers.

February 4, 2021October 17, 2025

Jam Nuts Redux

Tips

And one builder’s redemption.

January 13, 2021

Oh the Consequences Could Have Been … !

Member Stories

Recently I started up my engine and, while the engine seemed to be running fine, the analog instruments in the panel all started jumping around wildly. I had no idea ... Read more

January 13, 2021October 17, 2025

Engine Break-In

From The Hangar Floor

Myths debunked and best practices explained.

December 3, 2020October 29, 2025

Paperwork

Homebuilding, Tips, Vintage

The top five overlooked items.

November 5, 2020October 20, 2025

Noisy Things

Tips

What you should listen to, and why.

September 3, 2020October 20, 2025

Your Post-Maintenance Checklist

Tips

Many owners assume that when an aircraft completes its annual inspection, it has been thoroughly scrutinized by well-trained eyes and can be depended upon to be in condition for safe ... Read more

July 16, 2020October 20, 2025

Top Trip-Stoppers

Tips

Don’t let these gotchas keep you from getting there.

June 17, 2020October 20, 2025

Fly Straight

Homebuilding, Tips

The top five rigging mistakes and how to correct them.

April 23, 2020October 20, 2025

Spring Cleaning

Tips

Is a clean and organized airplane an airworthy airplane?

April 16, 2020October 17, 2025

RV Maintenance — Follow-Up to the RV Maintenance Gotchas Webinar

From The Hangar Floor, Homebuilding

I am writing this column just days after having presented an EAA webinar on Van’s RV Maintenance Gotchas. I was absolutely amazed by the participation and response.

March 26, 2020October 17, 2025

Inspection and Troubleshooting — Are We Naturals?

Homebuilding

How you approach an inspection, a preflight, or a flying decision will lay the foundation for managing risk and, ultimately, your safety level.

March 5, 2020October 17, 2025

The Oft-Overlooked Intake Gaskets

Tips

This month I want to address intake gaskets and hoses on Lycoming engines, as they seem to be one of the most overlooked maintenance items.

November 20, 2019October 20, 2025

How to Minimize the Risk of Engine Failure

Homebuilding, Tips

I was over a swamp when the engine started to burble. That’s a scientific word for “make a strange extra noise that strikes unease into a pilot’s heart.” I’m making ... Read more

October 2, 2019October 17, 2025

Top 10 Overlooked Maintenance Items — What Can Happen and How to Prevent It

Tips

I asked a cross section of A&P/IA mechanics what items were most overlooked on an annual, condition, or 100-hour inspection.

March 20, 2019October 20, 2025

Tail Wheels — What Can Go Wrong?

Tips

There are as many tail wheel assembly designs as there are experimental airplanes, or at least it seems that way. Most tail wheels share the same problems, so I’ll talk ... Read more

March 6, 2019March 7, 2019

Inspections and Maintenance Quiz

Tips

Pick the single best answer for each of the following questions about inspections and maintenance.

March 6, 2019October 20, 2025

Nose Wheels — What Can Go Wrong

Tips

The top three nose wheel issues are shimmy, shimmy, and shimmy. Ok, kidding. Other problems besides shimmy, such as tracking and hardware assembly issues, can cause you to take out ... Read more

February 6, 2019October 22, 2025

Haven’t Flown in a While?

Tips

We all wish we could fly as often as possible, but other responsibilities get in the way. When aviation is our recreation and not our work, we can find long ... Read more

March 27, 2018March 29, 2018

Cylinder Work and Courage

Homebuilding, Member Stories

A pilot’s wife shares how she developed the courage to help maintain the couple’s homebuilt RV-7.