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.
Triple the Fun
Some days, aviation isn't about experimentals - it can be hard to pass up the opportunity to get a ride in a classic! Today was such a day - the EAA's Ford Tri-motor is in town (giving rides out of the Carson City, Nevada airport through the weekend.
The Sacrificial (Work)bench
Formica covered workbenches are wonderful, and I do admire the way they look when the shop is all cleaned up. They are great for maintenance jobs that require grease and oil once the airplane is flying. But for efficient construction of airplanes, give me a sacrificial workbench surface.
Complex Problem – Simple Tool
We're working to assemble the right spar of our Xenos motor glider, and one of the tough things I found on the left spar...
No Two Rivets Alike
It's a first-world problem—I admit it. With too many airplanes in our little fleet, there is always something to be worked on, or an...
Paul Dye’s Notes from Lycoming Class
Ed. note: These notes are part of Paul Dye's article about attending Lycoming's engine assembly school.
For such “simple” engines, Lycoming type power plants, there...
Dropping in (and getting Airborne) at Sonex
Whenever I find myself in Oshkosh in the "off-season" for EAA meetings and vents, I try and drop in on our friends at Sonex...
Drill Straight!
We've finished up the left spar for our Xenos motor glider, and that means starting what seems like a whole new airplane project to...
Tundra Progress
I keep getting asked how our Tundra repair project has been coming along, and since I've talked about it here before, it is only...
In Case You Missed It
Whimsy
There’s no reason to participate in the hobby—for that matter, any hobby—unless it’s underpinned by fun.