Original Posted By: "Alan Swanson"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: cockpit mockupI'm getting ready to build and I might start with a cockpit mockup. I was just wondering if anyone out there had done one and if they found it helpful.ThanksNorm________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: cockpit mockup
RE: Pietenpol-List: cockpit mockup
Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Norm- I sure did. I used scrap lumber, but it gave me a start onunderstanding how it would fit together. Also, I wanted to be sure my longlegs would fit before I went too far. Also I felt that the seat back wastoo vertical for my comfort. I measured the angle on my car seats, and usedthe angle recommendations in Bingelis's book, then built my mockup with anadjustable seatback. When I had the angle that was most comfortable for me,I built that into my final fuselage.Funny you should ask that question- I was just looking up into the raftersof the garage yesterday, thinking it was time to turn the mockup intofirewood.Al Swanson-----Original Message-----
Norm- I sure did. I used scrap lumber, but it gave me a start onunderstanding how it would fit together. Also, I wanted to be sure my longlegs would fit before I went too far. Also I felt that the seat back wastoo vertical for my comfort. I measured the angle on my car seats, and usedthe angle recommendations in Bingelis's book, then built my mockup with anadjustable seatback. When I had the angle that was most comfortable for me,I built that into my final fuselage.Funny you should ask that question- I was just looking up into the raftersof the garage yesterday, thinking it was time to turn the mockup intofirewood.Al Swanson-----Original Message-----
Re: Pietenpol-List: New Builder's Log Software: Kitlog Pro
Original Posted By: KGardner(at)odu.edu
There is now a comprehensive tool that I have co-developed called KitlogPro. Kitlog Pro is a software package that acts as a builder's log, expenselog, weight and balance calculator, and has all necessary FAA forms(editable PDF files you can print), advisory circulars, etc.You can also add pictures to your builder's log, and print your dailyentries out in a format that you can use for inspection, display at fly-ins,use to help resale, etc.You may find this new product at http://www.kitlog.comIt has been evaluated by numerous builders with positive response, and soonwill be featured in Sport Aviation and Kitplanes. The most common responseso far has been "I wish I had that when I was building!"You may download a 15 day trial version that is fully functional. Try it ifyou like, then you may register it for $39.95. Feedback is encouraged!Please, let me know how you like it (or don't like it!)Paul BesingRV-6A N197AB Arizonahttp://www.lacodeworks.com/besingFlyingKitlog Pro Builder's Log Softwarehttp://www.kitlog.com________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: New Builder's Log Software: Kitlog Pro
There is now a comprehensive tool that I have co-developed called KitlogPro. Kitlog Pro is a software package that acts as a builder's log, expenselog, weight and balance calculator, and has all necessary FAA forms(editable PDF files you can print), advisory circulars, etc.You can also add pictures to your builder's log, and print your dailyentries out in a format that you can use for inspection, display at fly-ins,use to help resale, etc.You may find this new product at http://www.kitlog.comIt has been evaluated by numerous builders with positive response, and soonwill be featured in Sport Aviation and Kitplanes. The most common responseso far has been "I wish I had that when I was building!"You may download a 15 day trial version that is fully functional. Try it ifyou like, then you may register it for $39.95. Feedback is encouraged!Please, let me know how you like it (or don't like it!)Paul BesingRV-6A N197AB Arizonahttp://www.lacodeworks.com/besingFlyingKitlog Pro Builder's Log Softwarehttp://www.kitlog.com________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: New Builder's Log Software: Kitlog Pro
Original Posted By: NormDecou(at)aol.com
08/31/2001 09:34:05 AMPaul,Nice software idea - is it available for Macs?Kip GardnerLaboratory ManagerOld Dominion UniversityDept. of Ocean, Earth & Atmos. Sciences, Rm. 4414600 Elkhorn Ave.Norfolk, VA 23529Ph: 757-683-5654Bumper Sticker of the Week:"Warning - I Brake For Red Lights"________________________________________________________________________________
08/31/2001 09:34:05 AMPaul,Nice software idea - is it available for Macs?Kip GardnerLaboratory ManagerOld Dominion UniversityDept. of Ocean, Earth & Atmos. Sciences, Rm. 4414600 Elkhorn Ave.Norfolk, VA 23529Ph: 757-683-5654Bumper Sticker of the Week:"Warning - I Brake For Red Lights"________________________________________________________________________________
RE: Pietenpol-List: cockpit mockup
Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Al, How did your mockup work out? I'm currently in the very serious stageofplanning to build a Pietenpol. I did get to sit in one at Oshkosh thissummer but found the cockpit too small for comfort and almost impossible toget in and out. And, the fronts of my shins hit the bulkhead in front ofthe cockpit when I tried to put my feet on the pedals. I'm really in love with the Air Camper and the fact that it is such a timetested design. But I need to fit into the plane also. I'm very reluctantto simply make the cockpit longer or deeper without being able to determineif that would weaken the fuselage or effect the flying characteristics. Howtall are you and did you manage to get a large enough cockpit? What anglefor the seat back did you finally end up with ? Has anybody out there tried to lengthen or deepen the cockpit area withsuccess?Dave Trainer-----Original Message-----
Al, How did your mockup work out? I'm currently in the very serious stageofplanning to build a Pietenpol. I did get to sit in one at Oshkosh thissummer but found the cockpit too small for comfort and almost impossible toget in and out. And, the fronts of my shins hit the bulkhead in front ofthe cockpit when I tried to put my feet on the pedals. I'm really in love with the Air Camper and the fact that it is such a timetested design. But I need to fit into the plane also. I'm very reluctantto simply make the cockpit longer or deeper without being able to determineif that would weaken the fuselage or effect the flying characteristics. Howtall are you and did you manage to get a large enough cockpit? What anglefor the seat back did you finally end up with ? Has anybody out there tried to lengthen or deepen the cockpit area withsuccess?Dave Trainer-----Original Message-----
RE: Pietenpol-List: cockpit mockup
Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Dave,I would say the mock cockpit was extremely useful. I had the same concernsas you, because I too sat in one and scraped my shins. I am 6'2", with mostof it legs. Vi Kapler is a tall guy, and he doesn't have any problems"wearing" his Piet. I decided for that reason to go with the long fuselageplans, which gives an extra couple of inches in the cockpit. As MikeBrusilow also said, make the cutouts as high as you can.Regarding the seat angle, the original plans showed a 6 degree angle. Thiswas too vertical for me, as measured in my mock cockpit. Bingelisrecommends 15 degrees in his book, and that is approximately where my carseats set. I compromised a bit, and used 12 degrees, measured and verifiedby my adjustable seat back in the mock cockpit. I also moved the seat backtoward the rear 1 inch, to compensate for the TemperFoam seat cushion I planto use.To get the correct angle, I used 79.25 inches from the firewall to the topof the seatback (i.e. added 2.5 inches to the existing measurement), and74.75 inches from the firewall to the bottom of the seatback (i.e. added 1inch to the existing measurement). This only affected the length of two ofthe side braces, so it was an easy modification.One thing I wish I had done was heightened the turtle deck, so my shoulderbelts would be higher on the shoulders. This is a real safety concern sothere isn't any spinal compression from the belts. I may lower the seat acouple of inches to make up for this.This may sound like I am making lots of mods to the plans, but be assuredthat I am not. Like everyone says, follow the plans exactly and you willhave a better ship. Be careful what you change, because changes have a wayof affecting other adjacent parts.BUILDER'S CAVEAT: My plane is not yet flying, so take these suggestionswith a grain of salt!Al SwansonLong Fuselage, 1929 Model A Engine in the overhaul shop.Fuselage, Landing Gear, Tail wheel, Ribs done, working on the Tail section.-----Original Message-----
Dave,I would say the mock cockpit was extremely useful. I had the same concernsas you, because I too sat in one and scraped my shins. I am 6'2", with mostof it legs. Vi Kapler is a tall guy, and he doesn't have any problems"wearing" his Piet. I decided for that reason to go with the long fuselageplans, which gives an extra couple of inches in the cockpit. As MikeBrusilow also said, make the cutouts as high as you can.Regarding the seat angle, the original plans showed a 6 degree angle. Thiswas too vertical for me, as measured in my mock cockpit. Bingelisrecommends 15 degrees in his book, and that is approximately where my carseats set. I compromised a bit, and used 12 degrees, measured and verifiedby my adjustable seat back in the mock cockpit. I also moved the seat backtoward the rear 1 inch, to compensate for the TemperFoam seat cushion I planto use.To get the correct angle, I used 79.25 inches from the firewall to the topof the seatback (i.e. added 2.5 inches to the existing measurement), and74.75 inches from the firewall to the bottom of the seatback (i.e. added 1inch to the existing measurement). This only affected the length of two ofthe side braces, so it was an easy modification.One thing I wish I had done was heightened the turtle deck, so my shoulderbelts would be higher on the shoulders. This is a real safety concern sothere isn't any spinal compression from the belts. I may lower the seat acouple of inches to make up for this.This may sound like I am making lots of mods to the plans, but be assuredthat I am not. Like everyone says, follow the plans exactly and you willhave a better ship. Be careful what you change, because changes have a wayof affecting other adjacent parts.BUILDER'S CAVEAT: My plane is not yet flying, so take these suggestionswith a grain of salt!Al SwansonLong Fuselage, 1929 Model A Engine in the overhaul shop.Fuselage, Landing Gear, Tail wheel, Ribs done, working on the Tail section.-----Original Message-----
RE: Pietenpol-List: Looking for a bit of reassurance;or, a question about
Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
I fitted the 1/2 X 1 braces with the 1 inch side horizontally. My reasoningwas that the gussets are fitted only to the top, so I wanted as much gluearea as possible. Also, these braces take up side to side loads (verticalloads are from the braces on the sides), so I wanted the most strength inthe "yaw" direction.Be sure to finish the front half of the fuselage including the floor and thetop stiffeners, with everything square, before you pull the tail together.I found the tail miter easy to make- after I pulled the tail together, Ilaid out 2 lines from front to back, approximately parallel, with 1 inchremaining in the back. I then used a reciprocating saw with a 6 inch blade,and just hogged it out to close dimensions. Then it was just a matter ofusing a power sander disk to finish the miter so it fit tight for a goodglue fit. Also, when you glue the tail, run a plumb line from the middle ofthe firewall to the back, so the fuselage is exactly square. And make markson the center of each brace as you build to the back to be sure everythingstays square. Some of the guys have told me that an off-kilter fuselagereally affects the handling.Again the BUILDER'S CAVEAT: These things have worked for me, but then myplane isn't flying yet.Al SwansonLong Fuselage, Model A engine in the overhaul shopFuselage, Landing Gear, Tail Wheel, Ribs done, working on the Tail Section-----Original Message-----
I fitted the 1/2 X 1 braces with the 1 inch side horizontally. My reasoningwas that the gussets are fitted only to the top, so I wanted as much gluearea as possible. Also, these braces take up side to side loads (verticalloads are from the braces on the sides), so I wanted the most strength inthe "yaw" direction.Be sure to finish the front half of the fuselage including the floor and thetop stiffeners, with everything square, before you pull the tail together.I found the tail miter easy to make- after I pulled the tail together, Ilaid out 2 lines from front to back, approximately parallel, with 1 inchremaining in the back. I then used a reciprocating saw with a 6 inch blade,and just hogged it out to close dimensions. Then it was just a matter ofusing a power sander disk to finish the miter so it fit tight for a goodglue fit. Also, when you glue the tail, run a plumb line from the middle ofthe firewall to the back, so the fuselage is exactly square. And make markson the center of each brace as you build to the back to be sure everythingstays square. Some of the guys have told me that an off-kilter fuselagereally affects the handling.Again the BUILDER'S CAVEAT: These things have worked for me, but then myplane isn't flying yet.Al SwansonLong Fuselage, Model A engine in the overhaul shopFuselage, Landing Gear, Tail Wheel, Ribs done, working on the Tail Section-----Original Message-----