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.
Change Is a Constant
Marc Cook steps away again, passing KITPLANES’ reins as we invite fresh voices from the homebuilt aviation community.
Magnet Trick for Precise Hole Placement
Use magnets to mark precise hole locations through metal or composite firewalls—no guessing, no misaligned holes.
Why Alternative Engines Rarely Save Money
You can try it, but don’t expect to come out ahead—or airborne—without a fight.
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.
Let me know if you'd like this in a format ready for WordPress or need image tags added.
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.
In Case You Missed It
Laminar- vs. Turbulent-Flow Airfoils
Airfoils break down into two general classes based on the behavior of the boundary layer.
Viewfinder
Marc Cook looks at the possibility of Glasair Aviation initiating a new Two Weeks to Taxi builder-assistance program for the Van's RV-10.
Drill Guide for Canard Install
Neighbor Phil Hooper's Velocity RG project is making serious progress. With the installation of...
Engine Beat
There's a lot to know about aircraft oil: what to use, when to use it, when to change it. Steve Ells sheds some light on this essential fluid.