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.
Oshkosh – Before the Show
Taking advantage of a clear weather window, I launched from Nevada at first light and sailed along with tailwinds (and two fuel stops) to...
Carving Fiberglass the Easy Way
Shaping fiberglass parts might be messy, but it doesn't need to be hard. When I need to cut back an edge, I find that...
Homebuilts Well Represented at Pylon Racing School!
Reno's Stead Field, home of the National Championship Air Races every September, is alive with the sounds of fast airplanes this week as the...
Opening Aluminum Angle
It is not uncommon when building an aluminum airplane to need to adjust the finished angle of an aluminum extrusion a bit. Closing up...
First Flight -"Risky Business" Columnist Sid Mayeux
When one of our regular columnists here at Kitplanes finishes and flies a new airplane, we like to celebrate a little! We received word...
In Case You Missed It
Yes, you can…maybe!
Can I use my experience in building an airplane as the basis for getting my Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic's certificate?
The Home Machinist (Part 10)
You're not alone if you've been flummoxed or frustrated when trying to decode technical drawings or blueprints. They seem to use a language all their own, one that many of us are not privy to. Fear not. Author Bob Fritz will give you the tools you need to visualize the item being described, and hell make such documents intelligible to the uninitiated.
How Bad Could a Prop Strike Be?
A prop strike, even at very low speed and power, is a serious matter.