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 LONG Spar
I know, the picture isn't very good, and the lighting is poor - but there in the middle are the recently joined left and right spars for our nascent Xenos Motorglider - and if it were any longer, it would need two zip codes!
Basking in the Sun
You know that summer is here when you see shy fuel tanks, basking in the sun!
In this case, we were able to capture the...
A Collection of Engines
Poring over press releases from all "Big Three" piston aircraft engine manufacturers got me thinking about the engines I have out in my own hangar, hanging off our stable of airplanes.
The ATC Privatization Proposal – A Bad Idea for General Aviation
President Trump's characterization of the United States Air Traffic Control system was a statement, unsupported by evidence, that listeners are supposed to believe...
Field Fixin'
We had everything but a jack- all the tools we needed to change a tail wheel on our Tundra were a set of pliers,...
Back Country!
Ahhhh... this is what utility planes are for! They're not about getting halfway across the country in a day, not about aerobatics, and not...
A Secure Feeling
I like harnesses - especially ones that make me feel secure. Our Tundra came with standard lap and shoulder belts that used the age-old...
In Case You Missed It
Error Chain
Forty-amp Catch-22. Accidentally bumping the alternator switch uncovered a circuit-breaker problem.
Unusual Attitude
Guest columnist Bob Collins takes on those who would rush the airplane building process in the name of getting real about the project. To him, the journey is as important as the destination, and he believes he has his priorities straight when he occasionally puts family and friends ahead of spending an extra hour or two in the garage.
