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.
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 -...
Where The Magic Happens
The Reno Air Races have a lot of great things, but when you talk to those who’ve spent a lot of time watching all...
And They’re Racing!
It’s September in Reno, and to aviation buffs, that means one thing - Air Racing!
Hangin’ It Out There
Strolling through the Formula 1 hangar at the Reno Air Races, we came upon Steve Temple's Heat Stroke with its cowling off, and thought...
In Case You Missed It
Turbine Moose: The Ultimate Amphib
Its said that sailors make good floatplane pilots because they understand the nature of wind on the water. Sailboat racer and pilot Rick Orchard took that sentiment to heart in a big way when he decided to pump up an already large homebuilt (the Murphy Moose) by adding Aerocet amphibious floats and a 550-horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20 turbine engine.
