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.
Traffic Jam
Returning from our Great Eclipse trip in western Oregon to our home base near Reno, Nevada, we ran across this steady stream of space...
No More Grease Spots
About halfway to Oshkosh last month, I started to notice spots of grease appearing on the canopy of our trusty RV-3. I've seen oil...
While Im in here…
It all begins so innocently. We have the best intentions to make a small modification or simply fix something that isn't quite right. We...
Cruisin'
We normally take our fast RVs on longish cross-country tips, but this weekend's mission was to take some stuff down to Big Bear Lake...
Before and After: Tundra Tires
Ever wondered what Tundra Tires can do for a bush plane? Here's a quick summary, based on the first couple of hours of flying...
The Trip Home
One of the great things about flying your own airplane to AirVenture and back is that you get to fly a bunch of cross-country, especially if you live 1500 miles away across the great western United States.
AirVenture in the Mirrors
As I pushed the throttle in, lifted off of Wittman Field's runway 36(L) and pulled in to a right turn for a heading of...
Remove Before Flight
Walking the grounds at AirVenture this afternoon, I ran across this pitot care flag that obviously came from our neighbors to the north! Interestingly...
Airplane Tracks
Yes, I believe it was a light single, a tail dragger. Spent at least a week sitting in the same spot at Oshkosh to...
In Case You Missed It
Kitfox Super Sport
With 4000 kits sold, a million hours flown and a loyal customer base, you just knew that the Kitfox would somehow find itself back in production. It's been out after the previous company, SkyStar Aircraft, went bankrupt in 2005, leaving builders in the lurch.
Wanted: Engine Competition
Imagine a time not too long ago when pilots embarking on the delicious endeavor to build their own airplanes could consider multiple sources for just about any engine on the menu.