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.
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.
Most Awesome Cleco Pliers
We walked up on probably the most complex and awesome set of cleco pliers we’ve ever seen.
An Old Friend Moves Towards Completion
The Danni May started as a dream for Mel and Ann Asberry in 2004.
AirVenture 2024 In Perspective
Home for 24 hours, it’s time to look back and think about our eight-day sojourn in Wisconsin.
How to Attract Pilots
Cool airplanes and the chance to fly are great - but if you really want to attract a crowd of pilots, just bring free donuts!
Cheese Curd Tacos?
I’ll be honest, I’m not much for out-of-the-box state fair foods, but I do love cheese curds (I grew up eating fresh ones -...
Yup – Another Mustang
A 70% scale all-metal P-51 built to be powered by a 500(ish) horsepower big-block V-8.
In Case You Missed It
Firewall Forward: Lycoming Engine Service School
Dave Prizio attends the Lycoming Engine Service School in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and comes away from the experience with many lessons.
Restoring the RV-1
The very first Van’s prototype flies again, thanks to months of volunteers’ hard work, and its designer climbs back into the cockpit, some five decades after he built it.
25th Anniversary: Builder Assistance
Builder-assistance programs continue to grow and change to accommodate both builders needs and FAA regulations. By Mary Bernard.