Kit plane building requires a special attentiveness to part selection, especially when deciding between custom and standard components. It’s not always clear when to choose one over the other — should you default to standard parts, or invest in custom solutions? Understanding how to answer these questions can help you control costs, streamline manufacturing timelines,…Continue reading
Building an experimental aircraft is one of the most rewarding projects an aviation enthusiast can take on. However, it’s easy to make mistakes during the build process. Even if you have the best experimental aircraft parts and detailed instructions, errors can occur at any stage of the process. That’s why it’s crucial to know what…Continue reading
A special airworthiness certificate is a specific kind of certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that permits certain types of aircraft, including experimental home-built aircraft, to be flown in US airspace. To be granted a special airworthiness certificate, an aircraft must fall under at least one of the categories outlined in the relevant…Continue reading
Achieving reliable 450 psi brake pressure isn’t guesswork – it’s the result of proper design, geometry, and component selection. In this guide, the experts from Matco ALS will break down everything an aircraft DIYer needs to know about brake pedal ratio! Why Brake Pedal Ratios Matter The brake pedal ratio for an aircraft plays a…Continue reading
Designing a successful kit aircraft is about more than airframes and performance numbers – it’s about the complete kit plane building experience. For kit designers and manufacturers, every component choice directly affects assembly time, support requirements, and overall builder satisfaction. This is why it is vital to select reliable components to produce the easiest kit…Continue reading
Matco ALS has been serving the amateur built aircraft market for eight decades, and our goal has always been to supply kit manufacturers with high-quality, reliable parts at affordable price points. Our no-frills brakes, wheels, and landing gear components are built for performance, and since everything is made in the US, our supply chain is…Continue reading
An aircraft kit is a big investment, so when a homebuilder ponies up for one, they want to have as smooth of an experience as possible. Unfortunately, many kits are anything but intuitive to assemble, leading to frustration and poor customer experiences. This ultimately results in more calls and emails for your customer support team…Continue reading
Why Supplier Choice Matters Delays, customer complaints, and costly recalls often trace back to choosing the wrong aircraft parts supplier. For kit plane manufacturers, choosing the right partner is about more than just placing an order – it’s about risk mitigation. By asking the right questions upfront, manufacturers can protect their timelines, budgets, and reputations…Continue reading
What Is an Aircraft Axle Assembly? An aircraft axle assembly is a set of components that connect the aircraft’s wheels – and in most cases, the brake assembly – to the landing gear. On a nosewheel or tailwheel, the axle connects only the wheel, since these positions do not include braking capability. As a subset…Continue reading
What Is a Nosewheel Assembly A nosewheel assembly is the wheel at the front of an aircraft and its associated family of components. The nosewheel assembly, which includes the wheel, the tire, and the steering mechanism, is a critical part of the larger landing gear assembly. On many aircraft, the nose gear is part of…Continue reading
Types of Airplane Brakes for Small Planes When it comes to aircraft brakes, kit plane builders can choose from a number of different options. From single or dual disc brakes to floating disc brakes, each type of aircraft braking system is slightly different in terms of installation, price tag, and performance. The first step to…Continue reading
What Is a Kit Plane? A kit plane is an aircraft built from a pre-assembled kit of airplane components, allowing the buyer to focus on the building process rather than sourcing the many needed parts. Most kit builders are motivated by the enjoyment and challenge of building their own plane and take great satisfaction from…Continue reading
