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.
Make a Rivet Paint Mask
It’s not uncommon: You paint a panel of some kind for your aircraft and then, later on, you have to mount the panel with...
How I Cross-Country
Way back in the previous century—closer to the middle of the century than the end—I learned that the secret to cross-country navigation was a...
Starting ‘em Young!
At the Reno Races in September this year, the Sport Class pilots was more than just a place to find and admire race pilots...
Size Differences
Back in the months leading up to the reveal of the RV-15 Test Article at AirVenture 2022, there was a lot of speculation as...
Yup—That’s a Mustang!
Well, its actually a “Carbon Mustang”, the Scale Wings SW-51, a new kit from a German company, represented in America by an Arkansas group,...
Shhhh – I’m Blending In
Walking the pits at Reno, you pass through a few rows of RV’s, Lancairs, and Glasairs, then a couple of aisles of T-6’s. Next,...
Morning Brief
If you think that Reno Racing is just a bunch of guys that hop in their planes and go ripping around the pylons, then...
In Case You Missed It
What’s New
Dr. RoTech introduces an engine analyzer for Rotax 912/914 engines, Planemakers offers builder assistance for composite aircraft, and Ameritech distributes Electroair ignition systems.
Build Your Skills: Composites (Part 6)
In this series installment, author Bob Fritz takes you through the basics of a three-day project you can really use: lightweight fiberglass wheel chocks. The article covers materials, cutting, patterns, foam cutting, eliminating bubbles, and pitfalls to look out for during the build; by Bob Fritz.
