Original Posted By: Gary Gower
Walt & everyone,All four short fuselage Pietenpols I have flown were very sensitive in both pitch and yaw and, as you stated, concentration is required to get maximum cruise speed.With my Pietenpol, it is easy to fly "cockeyed" merely by having the ball only slightly off center.This costs some speed. At the end of a full throttle climb, I don't reduce power until I have established the cruising attitude, using as reference the position of the nose on the horizon and the relationship of the underside of the wing to the horizon. Speed is allowed to build up and power is gradually reduced to the desired level to avoid disturbing this somewhat delicate situation. The feel of the aircraft, as well as the ASI and altimeter readings (I don't have a VSI, but having one would help), will tell you when you are "on the step".Over fifty years ago, a bush pilot (I was his mechanic) showed me how to get a bit more speed in cruise by trimming the A/C (DeHavilland Beaver, in this case) slightly tail heavy, requiring a slight forward pressure on the yoke. I don't have elevator trim on my Piet, so this isn't an option--but I have tried it on Taylorcrafts, Aeroncas, etc.In any case, these techniques work well only when the air is smooth. When it is turbulent, all bets are off. With my Pietenpol, in rough air I'm lucky to keep it pointed in the intended direction!Graham Hansen (Pietenpol CF-AUN)________________________________________________________________________________Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 20:00:40 -0700 (PDT)