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.
Season Opener
Yes folks its that time again - time for airplanes and airplane fans to gather in sunny Lakeland, Florida for the annual kick-off of...
Mastering the Navigator
Well, perhaps "mastering" is too strong a word, but the second and final day of the Avidyne 440/540 class certainly worked to develop our...
What's in the Box?
Today, as part of a class taught by Gary Reeves (of Pilotsafety.org) on how to master the Avidyne IFD 440/540 IFR navigators, we paid...
Airbox Blues
I've worked on a lot of airplanes in my life, and one thing they all have in common seems to be air box problems. It doesn't make any difference if they are made from metal fiberglass, or unobtanium - they all seem to be in a constant state of deterioration.
A Quaint Little Place—With History!
Riverside Municipal Airport is home to numerous flight and maintenance schools, and is what most people would think of if you referred to as the Riverside Airport. Most, but not all. For pilots in the know, a quaint little field a few miles away is almost considered "Oshkosh West."
Yes, you can…maybe!
Can I use my experience in building an airplane as the basis for getting my Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic's certificate?
First Fly-in of Spring
Despite the forty feet of snow in the mountains above our home, despite this week's northeastern snowstorm, despite the fact that it is mid-March...
Adding Rigor
Getting some formal training is always beneficial, whether it is in the air or on the ground, because we should always keeping learning. Whether you decide to make the leap to an A&P certificate after a lifetime of working on airplanes, or simply attend a weekend workshop on aircraft wiring - learning is good, because it opens our minds to the fact that nope, we will never know it all.
In Case You Missed It
Homebuilt Aircraft Directory 2016
Over 1000 kits and plans listed. Introduction by Paul Dye, compiled by Omar Filipovic
Learning Glass
Old dog, new tricks. We see the discussion of EFIS digital instruments versus round...
Tricked-Out Tailwheel
T3 suspension system eliminates relaunches when touchdowns are a bit too firm.