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.
The Gorge
How is it that an airplane oriented company like Van’s Aircraft can be based in a valley that always seems to be fogged or...
It’s That Time Again
It's time for us aviation journalists to trot out our well-oiled please for practice, tolerance, and good decision-making
Passing the Baton
Marc Cook returns to the pages of Kitplanes as Editor in Chief while Paul step into another role.
Loki the SubSonex Jet is a Free Bird!
My ever-vigilant neighbor caught the official end to my Phase 1 test period on "Loki," the little jet, this morning as I made a...
Get-there-itis
Reading the title of this column, you probably think the topic is about weather and scud-running…and you'd be wrong (mostly). As we leave winter...
Thirty Hours
As I rolled the SubSonex to a stop in front of my hangar this morning, the mighty TJ-100 spooling down and going in to...
Keep it Covered
Although our airplanes mostly live indoors, it is not uncommon to tie them down outside when we're on the road. Although a good canopy...
In Case You Missed It
Wind Tunnel
Barnaby Wainfan brings aerodynamics to life with an illustrated field guide to the various devices seen at AirVenture.
Around the Patch
Starting with the known and moving methodically toward a goal is the best strategy for achieving success in the aircraft engine business.
Safety Is No Accident: Buying a Previously Owned, Flying Homebuilt
Ron Wanttaja looks at the accident data to determine whether its safer to buy than build an Experimental, and he identifies the key factors to ensuring a successful outcome.
Aero ‘lectrics
Vibration is not good for engines, airframes or instruments. Jim Weir explains how to fashion vibration analysis equipment for less than retail cost.