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.
Clean and Simple
There’s an old engineer’s quote that says “Perfection in design comes not when there is nothing left to add, but rather, when there is...
In the Details
I often talk about how complicated failures can be traced back to some tiny, seemingly insignificant detail - and here’s a recent example from...
Turbine Temptation: Power is Life!
The day the beautiful wooden box arrives from the Czech Republic is a day no SubSonex builder will ever forget. I tracked mine through...
Building Means Buying
With winter on the way and all of the current airplanes inspected, maintained, and generally in flying condition, we’re once again finding time to...
Rag Wing Roots
These days, I seem to be associated mostly with metal airplanes, RVs in particular. Just take a look at that byline down there—I have...
Turbine Temptation: Building the Airframe
Rule number one for building the SubSonex: Build from the inside out. Rule number two: Never close anything until you have no choice but...
Trying to Fit In
Sometimes, you just see a photo that demands a caption. Or two. Or maybe three...
“If I’m really quiet, maybe they wont notice me!”
“When I...
Half Over – All To Go!
Reno Race week is an interesting phenomenon, depending on if you’re a casual spectator, or a die-hard fan (or participant). To the public -...
In Case You Missed It
Light Stuff
Should powered-parachute and trike pilots have the option of earning a commercial license? By Roy Beisswenger.
Minnesota Mission
Creating a bespoke airplane is one benefit of building from plans; when assembling a kit, builders cannot make many changes.
Who’s Got the Time?
Are you logging pilot flight time and aircraft time in service correctly? By Owen C. Baker.
Cable Classroom
Most homebuilt aircraft use control cables, so it's helpful to understand how to select, install and maintain them.