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.
Short-Winged Zenith
We all know that competition between kit companies can be fierce, and Zenith Aircraft LLC seems to be taking a stab at what many...
The Zenith of Creativity
Some people just cant leave a good kit airplane well enough alone. This Zenith 701 is parked in Homebuilt Camping and has more than...
One Week Wonder – Anyone Can Help!
I stopped by to check on the progress of the One Week Wonder this morning, and found this gentleman removing blue plastic from parts...
Problem Arrival
The talk of pilots today at Oshkosh were the many challenging arrivals experienced by many of the thousands of pilots over the last couple...
Forced Perspective
Probably one of the most anticipated arrivals at this year's AirVenture made it in several days ago - but is it right to park...
As the Low Moves… (Slowly)
Airplanes arrived at AirVenture in spurts today, as the low pressure center that was using the filed as a pinwheel moved ever so slowly...
Thoughts in Cruise
Cruising across the wilds of central Nevada the other day, my thoughts turned to GPS and the frequent outage NOTAMs we get when the...
Just Pitch In!
Hanging out with the volunteers at AirVenture Homebuilt Camping, we noted an interesting phenomenon. Volunteers get a few perks for taking time out of...
The Days Before
While AirVenture doesn't officially start until Monday, the three or four days before are really my favorite. It's the time of gathering, the time...
Know Your (Operating) Limitations
Experimental aircraft are issued "special" airworthiness certificates, and those come with specific operating limitations.
In Case You Missed It
Can You Keep It Together?
Part of your aircraft kit-building journey will require you to temporarily fasten various components...
Wind Tunnel
The author discusses the theory and effect of constant-speed propellers on piston-engine airplane performance, and compares fixed-pitch versus constant-speed props, effect on thrust HP and propulsion, the comprises involved in choosing a prop, how props perform in various conditions and phases of flight, how variable-pitch props work, and why a constant-speed prop is the best choice for high-performance aircraft.
Fast Squeeze
Todd Rudberg’s RV-8 helps usher in a modern era of nitrous-oxide-assisted sport planes.