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.
Dynon is On the Field!
Dynon Avionics has, for the past several years, sponsored a tent in the Sport Class pits that serves as a briefing center, hospitality pavilion,...
Racing Costs Money
No, it’s not a blown-up Merlin on a Mustang being frantically changed by a team of twelve guys in the Unlimited pits. But for...
“Pre-Reno”
I love the first couple of days of the Reno Race week—no “paying customers,” low traffic - and lots of time to meet up...
Forever Learning
Way back when I was working for NASA, I used to get mail addressed to “Dr.” Paul Dye, which always amused this college graduate...
Tale of Two Pitots
As part of an EAA Safety committee promoting the use of angle of attack flying, I fly a lot of different AoA systems. In...
Experience for Experience Sake
I’ll admit it, I like merit badges. I like certificates of achievement. I like the recognition that comes with doing something new and different....
Tune-Up Time
Like the proverbial frog who doesn’t know that the pot of water is getting warmer, it is easy to adapt to an airplane or...
Always Another Tool
One of the things I brought back from AirVenture last week was a kit from Flyleds to build two LED landing lights that we’re...
In Case You Missed It
What’s New
AeroLEDs introduces new landing/recognition lights, Wicks Aircraft offers a comprehensive assortment of O-rings. Edited
Around the Patch
Homebuilt aircraft manufacturers are sometimes reluctant to admit that they have created a less than perfect design, let alone offer a fix. Arion Aircrafts Nick Otterback is bucking that tide; by Marc Cook.
Flight Review: What’s Hummin’ at Hummel?
LeRoy Cook flies the fun and efficient H-5 Sport Cruiser, the little Hummel Bird's grown-up sibling.
Pilot Proficiency
When determining whos best to conduct the first flight, its a risk versus reward equation. By Doug Rozendaal.