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.
Becoming a DAR
A designee is a private individual with the experience and skills necessary to do the work mandated for the FAA.
Hard-working Brakes
You wouldn’t think that a little 1,000-lb MGW aircraft would require this much braking.
Fly-Ins Made Simple
One of aviation’s great pleasures is to meet up with a bunch of friends at some out-of-the-way airport and just watch airplanes, enjoy the...
Ultimate Avionics Work Surface
Wiring a panel? How about upgrading to the ultimate avionics work surface?
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.
In Case You Missed It
The Fly As You Go Plan
Learned colleague Paul Dye recently wrote about the time-limited nature of aviation hardware. That...
Synergy Air Energizes Builders
Thanks to a new course in Oregon, RV enthusiasts have another way to help finish building their airplanes more quickly and get flying sooner.
Anywhere Map Travel Companion
Bob Fritz takes Anywhere Maps new PDA Travel Companion for a test ride, and discusses what features are winners and what comes up short.