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.
Editor’s Log
Paul Dye explains how it was possible for him to become editor-in-chief of KITPLANES before he actually left his old job at NASA and what you can expect to see in KITPLANES in the near future.
What’s New
AeroLEDs introduces new landing/recognition lights, Wicks Aircraft offers a comprehensive assortment of O-rings. Edited
Free Flight
When developing a strategy for a flight, it’s important to know the limitations of XM weather, NEXRAD radar, moving maps and other tools.
Aircraft Tour-Paul Dye’s RV-3
At Sun 'n Fun 2013, KITPLANES editor Paul Dye flew his RV-3 into Lakeland. In this video, he gives us a tour of the airplane's unique design and construction.
Superior’s New XP-400 Engine
Superior Air Parts is showing the new XP-400, a 215 hp variant of the popular four-cylinder powerplant.
Zenith CH750 Cruzer
Zenith Aircraft introduced a new version of its CH750, the Cruzer. It's intended to be faster than the STOL version of this airplane.
Dynon’s New Radio and Intercom
Dynon showed off a pair of new products for the experimental market including a comm radio and an inexpensive intercom.
Just Aircraft’s SuperSTOL
Just Aircraft is well known for its sporty, two-place taildraggers and at Sun 'n Fun 2013 the company had on display a new model called the SuperSTOL.
Superior Air Parts brings back XP-Engine Build School
Superior Air Parts, Inc., announced today that the company is again offering its popular XP-Engine Build School at its Coppell, Texas headquarters. This program...
Sporty's New Sun 'n Fun App Available for Free Download
Sporty's, in partnership with SUN 'n FUN, is releasing a free mobile app for the 2013 show that is available for both Apple and...
In Case You Missed It
Bearhawk Duo in the Land of the Long White Cloud
Jonathan Battson and Lars Fellman build the first two 4-Place Bearhawks in New Zealand.
Ask the DAR
Combining parts from multiple kits, N-numbers, using an amphibian for land-only training.