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.
The Ins and Outs of Oshkosh Traffic
In my opinion, the best way to get the most out of AirVenture is to stay on site, camping with your airplane, tenting in...
The Rope Line
For those folks looking to show their commitment to EAA’s mission to promote sport aviation, one good way is to sign up for a...
Traditions!
Originally crated in 1971 to welcome people to the flight line at the “Oshkosh Fly-In” (long before the moniker of “AirVenture” was dreamed up),...
Rich’s Coffee Bar
There’s a new addition to the homebuilt camping Pavilion this year—a lean-to structure with plumbing and electricity that serves as a camp kitchen (but...
Miracle Machines
When I was young, homebuilders were those crazy guys at the end of the airport in a falling-down hangar that were attaching Cub wings...
Training, Teaching and Coaching
With a title like that, you might expect that I’d excuse anyone without an instructor certificate from reading this month’s column. But if the...
Hardware Musings
Two thoughts come from the shop today:
First—all you RV pilots out there, the nylon locknuts you need are MS21083N8. They are about a buck...
In Case You Missed It
Flying Qualities of an Airplane Are Important
The author explains how the characteristics of an airplane affect pilot ability to complete tasks, response factors, stability and damping of the airframe to changes in angle of attack, basic stability, trim, control forces, and control power. He also addresses the controversy behind the design of airplanes, their characteristics and the resultant suitability for various types of flying;
Letters
Turbo-Compound & More There was a turbocharger for motorcycles that had a variable-stator...
Manufacturing Considerations
The designer must consider all three factors: Mission, Manufacturing and Marketing.
