Paul Dye
Paul Dye has been the Editor-in-Chief and Editor at Large. He 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.
Becoming a DAR
A designee is a private individual with the experience and skills necessary to do the work mandated for the FAA.
Hard-working Brakes
You wouldn’t think that a little 1,000-lb MGW aircraft would require this much braking.
Fly-Ins Made Simple
One of aviation’s great pleasures is to meet up with a bunch of friends at some out-of-the-way airport and just watch airplanes, enjoy the...
Ultimate Avionics Work Surface
Wiring a panel? How about upgrading to the ultimate avionics work surface?
Wire Supports
If you’re building/wiring an instrument panel, especially one with modern EFIS screens and avionics, you no doubt have dealt with the problem of how to secure wire bundles.
Take the Time—Build a Template
I’m sure we’ve all been there when building something—one hand holding a “thing,” one holding a measuring device, another a pen and… uh, oh…...
Not Bent, We Checked
The Whisper features a new and radical prop design from Craig Catto - one with a pretty interesting kink in the end of the blades.
In Case You Missed It
The Dawn Patrol
Dick and Sharon Starks mix it up with the “big boys” and draw their own crowd at Oshkosh AirVenture 2011.
![The 160 hp turbocharged Rotax 916iS is a four-stroke piston engine with redundant electronic fuel injection and ignition. [Credit: BPR Rotax]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PIC_916-iS_iSc-2.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "2026 Engine Buyer’s Guide")
2026 Engine Buyer’s Guide
Our annual survey of the wide array of engine options available to homebuilders, from certified to experimental.
Take Your Time Taking Delivery
There are identifiable times when flying becomes more dangerous. One that plays out in...