Woodworking is a skill that is easily learned by the novice who usually has a basic knowledge of wood construction and some of the necessary tools. Woods Used in Aircraft Construction There are four woods which are regularly used for aircraft construction. These are Sitka spruce, birch, ash and Douglas fir. In addition, mahogany, balsa, pine, Basswood, Balsa and Gabon fulfill certain duties. Aircraft Sitka Spruce has become very difficult to obtain and prices prohibitive. We have therefore researched aviation wood specifications and find there are many alternate woods that are acceptable of aircraft use . Selected to aircraft specs ie: grain spacing, grain slope, moisture content, weight , warpage, etc etc…. We have a selection of Ash lumber which meets aircraft specifications, at reasonable prices. Therefore, we supply ash material in our kits with no compromise in quality, strength, weight and at a reasonable cost. SITKA SPRUCE is a softwood, which grows in Canada and the United States of America. It is a brownish yellow in color, straight-grained and satiny in appearance. Its qualities regarding resistance to splitting, bending and stiffness are very good in relation to its weight. Due to this favorable strength weight ratio it is used extensively in aircraft construction for spars, longerons and so forth. BIRCH is a hardwood and grows in most parts of Europe. It is yellow-white or brown-white, strong and does not split easily. It is sometimes used in place of ash for laminated members such as wing tip bows in addition to being used for bearing blocks. Its principal use in aircraft, however, is for the manufacture of plywood. ASH is a hardwood, which grows in the mid-west. It is yellow-white to yellow-brown in color and is close-grained. It is tough and has good shock- resisting qualities. Ash is used for longerons, bearing blocks, laminated bows, glider skids and keel members and other parts where strength and toughness is pre- requisite. DOUGLAS FIR is a softwood grown in Canada and U.S.A. Its color varies from reddish yellow to orange brown and it has prominent growth rings. Douglas fir is often used in place of spruce for its strength properties are very similar. It is however, somewhat heavier. The wood is straight grained and somewhat resinous, giving rise to a distinctive odor when worked.