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 Call
Hmmm... unknown caller from Georgia on the cell phone. With the amount of robocalls for cruise lines that seems to be generated these days,...
Building a Jet
"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do."
--Warren Miller
I have always enjoyed Warren Miller's ski films, not...
A Whole 'lotta Ribs!
Yup - that's a lot of ribs for one wing, isn't it? Finally, after a long delay building a new shop, we got back...
Well THERE'S Your Problem!
Our little single seater recently developed a ned to have its right brake bled--like after every few flights. We didn't let that go on...
Nope, no, no way… flying 30+ years!
I am often amazed at just how big our margins can be in aviation. Engineering margins, that is - operational margins are as big...
Flight Test Morning
Early morning is the time for flight testing, especially in summer, and especially in the high desert! Today's mission was to do the first...
The Morning is for Flying
The Idaho back country is a piloting Mecca, with outstanding scenery and challenges to any level of aviator. From large, relatively flat strips with...
Stole it!
We're spending a few days in the Idaho back country, and stopped by the Kitfox headquarters in Homedale before heading in to the mountains....
Three-Hour Rudder
The trapezoidal box arrived from Mexico (Missouri) a few weeks ago, but we just recently had the time to open it up and begin...
In Case You Missed It
What’s New
Among the news items this month are the announcement of extended-range fuel tanks for the Arion Aircraft Lightning, a flight bag thats customized for RV aircraft, a light-aircraft jack and a new transceiver from Microair Avionics of Australia.
Design Process: Wing Size and Stall Speed
Last month, we began discussing the factors that can drive the wing of our...
