Paul Dye
Paul Dye, KITPLANES® Editor at Large, 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.
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.
The Canopy Takes Shape—Spring Boost for the F1 Rocket Project
Progress on the F1 Rocket project accelerates as warm weather enables critical canopy and gear leg work.
Old Fiberglass Parts—Good as New
Fitting the RV-1’s fiberglass tail tips highlights the art behind careful craftsmanship—flanges, filler, and all.
In Case You Missed It
Diodes, the Universal Component?
Diodes started off life fairly simply. Take an AC signal and convert it to a DC signal. Simple, huh?
Countersinking for a Flush Fastener Fit
In last month’s column, we talked about the procedures needed for installing flush rivets...
Plastic Tubing No-No
The symptom was a static system that leaked like a sieve when tested. Further...