How to & Builder Tips

Ever wonder how to make a certain part with fiberglass or sheet metal? Or fix an oil leak? These tips can guide you and reduce the amount of head-scratching.

nutplate

Nutplate Installation

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Dimpling nut plates: It can be difficult to dimple the nut plates. One of our A&Ps came up with a trick for not dimpling the...

Flush Riveting Tips

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The GlaStar is not typically built with flush rivets, but some builders are using them anyway. This does not improve aerodynamics, but helps if...

Stainless-Steel Exhaust Systems

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The installation and inspection of your aircraft’s exhaust system are fairly straightforward subjects, but we get enough queries from both Glasair and GlaStar builders...
Spray Zolatone (or equv.) in shaded area prior to fuselage assembly.

Weight Conscious GlaStar Assembly

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In the beginning stages of developing the GlaStar we set goals for performance, weight, build time (don’t laugh—the industry’s come a long way from...
Andair fuel valve in GlaStar

GlaStar Fuel System Tips

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Fitting fuel tanks: When fitting the fuel tanks into the wings, the spar spacing at the upper wing surface tends to spread apart when...
Prop gauged by spinner. Photo: Randi Ernst

Propeller and Spinner Installation Tips

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Propeller cutout and resin: The template for the cutout in the spinner for the prop blades is incorrect due to the addition by SH...
eyedropper for resin promoter

Properly Promoting Resin

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The resin that we currently use in both the Glasair and the GlaStar is Dow Derakane 411-45. This resin is shipped from Stoddard-Hamilton in...
GlaStar strake in position. Photo: Zach Chase, Fibertech Composites

GlaStar Strake Installation Tip

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I tooled these myself off of Jim Londo's GlaStar but the incidence was later changed. It is a real struggle to get these to fit...

Measuring Catalyst

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Submitted by Art Chard - Glasair FT When using an eye dropper to measure catalyst, hold the eye dropper vertically. If it is held horizontally...
Nose rib and skin on left GlaStar wing

Rib and Skin Fitting

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Skin/rib fitting: I'm sharing my experience with horizontal stabilizer skinning, for the benefit of anyone else who's having trouble pulling the skin far enough...