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.
Not Your Father’s David Clark
While I generally use very lightweight in-the-ear headsets these days (because they allow me to wear floppy hats in my bubble-canopy airplanes) there is...
Early or Late?
Long before I wrote for aviation publications, I was doing testing—of airframes, engines, avionics, and accessories. Flight test was my field, and I have...
New Adventure in Avionics
Anyone that has followed my airplane projects over the years probably has figured out that I love to work with new avionics. I am...
Overnights
"Time to spare--go by air!" That old nut has been around since the days of early airlines that were hardy what you'd call reliable--and there are many that would say it is still true for airline travel today. Where it really has a grain of truth, of course, is when you are talking about light General Aviation aircraft, and most experimentals fit into that category.
Enroute
I remember the very first LONG cross-country I took as an inexperienced pilot, flying my new (to me) Grumman Yankee from Houston to Minneapolis,...
The Right Grip
It's funny how little things can make a huge difference in life--especially when it comes to aviation. Little things are important to aircraft design,...
Goodbye Oshkosh!
Well, that about wraps up Kitplanes coverage of AirVenture 2016 here in beautiful Oshkosh, Wisconsin. As our various correspondents mount their trusty steeds and...
Where's Jerry?
One of the questions asked by many show goers this year has been "Where's Jerry?" Jerry Sleger, the "One Man Band" has been a...
But You Can See it From Here!
See that row of tall corn behind the airplanes? That's the new south boundary of the AirVenture grounds - an extension of the "South...
In Case You Missed It
Letters
Shopmaster Shop TalkDear Bob Fritz: I have the opportunity to purchase a Shopmaster Lathe/Mill...
Light Stuff
The next revolution in recreational aircraft is coming, and its electric! This is evidenced by Randall Fishmans ElectraFlyer-C electric-powered aircraft, which flew at last years AirVenture Oshkosh; by Dave Martin.
Staying in the Game
It’s never been easy to afford flying, and it’s getting harder. As costs continue to rise, here are innovative ways to stay in the air.
Dan’s World
Columnist Dan Checkoway appreciates the flexibility of owning a homebuilt rather than a certified aircraft. On a recent condition inspection of his RV-7, he detected small cracks in the front spar of the horizontal stabilizer. A week later he was working on replacing it, without any intervention from the FAA.