Original Posted By: Michael Brusilow
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: General- control response>>Questions for ya'll on the piano hinges you guys are using.... I am pretty>>sure that the "extruded" (more expensive) style hinge would be required,>or is the cheaper "open loop" kind adequate?>>Mike- As recommended in the Tony Bingelis books I forked over>more $ for the extruded hinges rather than the loop type. I think it>worked out to 30-35 $ per wing.> Width of the hinge you buy is up to you. Wider makes them>easier to install though. I prefit the aileron hinge drilling holes about>every 8" to accept 6-32 countersunk head stainless steel phillips>machine screws into glued and screwed 6-32 self-locking nutplates>with two ears on each side. You screw the ears in with brass wood>screws and a dab of glue while the whole affair is in place assuring>the alignment you want. Too long of a machine screw and you will>poke out towards the fabric though, so do some measuring before>buying em. I put my ailerons on during final assy. and it took about>3 min. per wing. If using a cordless drill with a phillips bit though>you have to watch where the 'clutch' setting is otherwise you can>torque the nutplates off behind the aileron and root spar areas.>>Mike C.>>>Also, are there any established>>guidelines for hinge width and method of attachment to the wood spars? I>>have yet to find anything published on installation standards for piano>>hinges.>>-----Original Message----->>From: Michael D Cuy >>To: Pietenpol Discussion >>Date: Tuesday, November 03, 1998 2:51 PM>>Subject: General- control response>>>>>>>>I used piano hinges on my plane. I think the response is fine. I can>>>make 30 degree turn just by thinking about it with almost no control>>input.>>>>>>Bill- I did the same thing. Full length alum. piano hinges and they>>>work fine. A Piet rolls about like a Champ or Cub. The FUN part>>>though is that the overall control harmony of a Piet is very, very nice.>>>It just flies really nice. It's lighter overall on the controls than>>those>>>Cubs and Champs. Less control movement, more agile. The rudder>>>bar too is comfortable...... after 1/2 hour or so you don't even notice>>>there are no rudder pedals. Mike C.>>>>>>________________________________________________________________________________