Paul Dye
Paul Dye has been the Editor-in-Chief and Editor at Large. He retired as a Lead Flight Director for NASA’s Human Space Flight program, with 50 years of aerospace experience on everything from Cubs to the Space Shuttle. An avid homebuilder, he began flying and working on airplanes as a teen and has experience with a wide range of construction techniques and materials. He flies an RV-8 and SubSonex jet that he built, an RV-3 that he built with his pilot wife, as well as a Dream Tundra and an electric Xenos motorglider they completed. Currently, they are building an F1 Rocket. A commercially licensed pilot, he has logged over 6000 hours in many different types of aircraft and is an A&P, FAA DAR, EAA Tech Counselor and Flight Advisor; he was formerly a member of the Homebuilder’s Council. He consults and collaborates in aerospace operations and flight-testing projects across the country.
DIY Edge Tool for Canopy Skirts
A simple DIY tool puts a sharp crease into canopy skirts when edge-breaking tools fall short—just bring some wrist strength.
Internal Power Milestone—EarthX Battery for the F1 Rocket Project
The F1 Rocket project hits a major milestone—electrical and avionics systems now run independently on EarthX batteries.
USB-Powered CO Monitor from Radiant
Radiant's new $29.95 USB CO monitor lights up red if danger's in the air—and might just beat those old stick-on cards for reliability.
Canopy Done—For Now: F1 Project Progresses
With the canopy fitted and systems checked, our F1 project moves closer to mounting the engine and firewall-forward work.
Flexible Canopy Fasteners
Flexible mounts help prevent canopy cracks caused by thermal expansion and contraction.
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Easy Egress Handle
Add an easy-egress handle to your canopy with a simple drawer pull and heat-shrink tubing—quick, stylish, and builder-approved.
Fun with a Cub
CubCrafters let us loose with the first kit-built NX Cub—here’s what we found exploring backcountry strips and dry lake beds in Western Nevada.
Eating the Elephant—Part 3
Designing cockpits is part art, part foresight—flexibility wins when your perfect panel meets inevitable evolution mid-build.
Replacing Studs When Switching to P-Mags
Switching to P-Mags? Here's how to easily replace overly long engine studs when removing impulse coupler spacers for electronic ignition upgrades.
Building for IFR: Do You Really Need It?
Thinking about building an IFR-capable homebuilt? Consider whether you’ll really use it—or just spend extra money.
In Case You Missed It
Watch Those Sharp Edges
Grommets and bushings provide simple, inexpensive protection from sharp edges of all kinds.
Sometimes...
Viewfinder
Vertical Power’s VP-400 stands ready to locate the nearest airports and help you plot and execute an emergency landing—welcome assistance for the pilot experiencing an in-flight failure. By Marc Cook.
Magic Configurations
Designers are continually trying to create new and better machines that will outperform and outsell what is currently available.
Taxes and Shipping Additional
Most homebuilders—and just I’m spit-balling here—have waited a long time to justify the cost of building an airplane.