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.
How to Attract Pilots
Cool airplanes and the chance to fly are great - but if you really want to attract a crowd of pilots, just bring free donuts!
Cheese Curd Tacos?
I’ll be honest, I’m not much for out-of-the-box state fair foods, but I do love cheese curds (I grew up eating fresh ones -...
Yup – Another Mustang
A 70% scale all-metal P-51 built to be powered by a 500(ish) horsepower big-block V-8.
Oshkosh Diary: One Last Hurrah
Thursday arrived very early, as Louise (my wife) was departing with the intent to hit the starter on the RV-6 at 0600. That meant...
Hoses? We’ve got Hoses!
Tom Swearingen has been making hose assemblies for homebuilders for quite a few years now and is well known for quality custom work done very fast.
Oshkosh Diary: Where Does the Day Go?
OK, so it Wednesday, and time to start thinking about return weather. Not planning to leave until Friday morning, but it’s a good idea...
Oshkosh Diary: It Was Tuesday
Vendor visiting, and photographing details of F1 Rockets in the afternoon.
In Case You Missed It
Light Sport Accidents: A Broader Look
Experimental Light Sport Aircraft have a better safety record than traditional homebuilts.
New to Homebuilding?
With so many options available, how can you choose a kit aircraft to build? From financing to storage to operating costs (and don’t forget insurance), a few factors can point you to a project that will fit your needs. By Scott “Sky” Smith.
Aero ‘lectrics
Jim Weir continues his explanation of how to make any cell phone power up a remote electrical device.