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Paul Dye

Paul Dye
922 POSTS 27 COMMENTS
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.

Eating the Elephant—Part 2

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One step forward, two steps back

Old Fiberglass Parts—Good as New

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Fitting the RV-1’s fiberglass tail tips highlights the art behind careful craftsmanship—flanges, filler, and all.

Close Quarters Fuel Pump

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When building from older kits or plans, visiting other builders can reveal ingenious solutions, saving valuable time and trouble.

A Good Decision

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Sometimes, the universe throws you a curveball.

Wrenching with Friends

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A few days in the shop with KITPLANES Senior Editor Tom Wilson refreshing an IO-540 engine makes the job enjoyable.

Multi-Use Water

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When folks come to visit in our shop, we try to remember to offer them a bottle of water, especially in the summer. Most...

When Wear is Good

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This screen is supposed to be checked at every oil change, so the paint wear should be proportional to age and hours.

Fiberglass Magic: A Better-Fitting Rear Seat Back

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How to use fiberglass magic for a better-fitting RV-type rear seatback—stronger, snugger, and finished with a satisfying “clunk.”

Adventures in Pro-Seal

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How do you use Pro-seal and document the procedure with a camera? The simple answer… you don’t! Once the Polysulfide Sealant comes out o...

Something to Crow About

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A visit to see how Crow builds harnesses.

In Case You Missed It

Firewall Forward: Engine Controls

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Here's what you need to know to get your engine controls—propeller, throttle, mixture, carburetor heat, cabin heat—placed correctly and working properly.

Positively Negative

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Modern electrically-intensive airplanes demand excellent grounding.

A Fine Specimen

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There’s something you probably can guess about so-called factory airplanes—examples of Experimental aircraft built...

Custom Door Lock, Latch, and Catch

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Who would have thought a fuel system mod would affect the doors?