Original Posted By: Jeff Boatright
I found a Corvair powered Pietenpol for sale on Barnstormers. This link providesinfo on the builder and date the airplane was made.http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N5107Q.html,DOES ANYBODY KNOW THIS AIRPLANE OR THE BUILDER, HAUGEN SEVERSON?I looked at the airplane today in Snyder, Texas. It's sitting in a large communityhanger at Winston Field.This Pietenpol had rib stitching for the bottom fabric on the wings, but no ribstitching on the top fabric on the wings. My logic would suggest that the lowpressure area on the top needs rib stitching just as much as the concave surfaceon the bottom of the wing.The paint scheme was nice, but there is a lot of cracking in the paint. The owner(second owner since 1989) said he has owned the Pietenpol for 3 years but hedidn't like the original color and repainted it. It is now painted mostly insilver (looks like butyrate with silver paste) but the paint looks a tad thickto me as I looked at the cracks.I didn't see any evidence of wood rot (but I'm taking an inspection mirror anda flashlight next trip.The Corvair engine is an 80 HP. I pulled the prop through, and it didn't feel likethe Continentals and Lycomings I have experience with. I don't know if I amonly used to 4 banger Lycs, but this 6 cylinder engine didn't seem to be hardto pull through each cylinder like the Lycs and Continentals... I'm wonderingif the compression is weak because it hasn't been flown in a year, or if 6 bangerCorvairs just pull weak through each cylinder?I'd appreciate opinions or any information someone might have about this airplane,N5107Q.I'm thinking about buying a flying Aircamper while I finish my Pietenpol... Beengrounded too long and I need to fly soon.Thanks,Sterling BrooksKnot-2-Shabby Airport5TA6________________________________________________________________________________ 114121034.015936e0(at)popserve.grc.nasa.gov>Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 18:45:18 -0500
Pietenpol-List: Corvair Powered Piet for sale
Re: Pietenpol-List: Corvair Powered Piet for sale
Original Posted By: Hans Vander Voort
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Corvair Powered Piet for saleI would think it would be a bit easier to pull the prop thru on the corvair vs.lyc. or continental just due to the piston size and stroke difference. If it'san 80 HP I would guess that it's a Bernie conversion with the blower fan? Maybe an early engine (1960-63). Find out what you can about the engine construction- forged pistons or cast is probably the biggest concern. If you can,pull one of the plugs and take a looksee inside.Don't know anything about that specific airplane. Tom B.________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Corvair Powered Piet for sale
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Corvair Powered Piet for saleI would think it would be a bit easier to pull the prop thru on the corvair vs.lyc. or continental just due to the piston size and stroke difference. If it'san 80 HP I would guess that it's a Bernie conversion with the blower fan? Maybe an early engine (1960-63). Find out what you can about the engine construction- forged pistons or cast is probably the biggest concern. If you can,pull one of the plugs and take a looksee inside.Don't know anything about that specific airplane. Tom B.________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Corvair Powered Piet for sale
Original Posted By: "Sterling"
27, 2005) at 11/15/2005 03:05:58 PMSterling,Rib stitching should go through both top and bottom.Technically the bottom should not need any (high pressure area) but the Topmust have stitching as it generates 75% of the lift with a low pressurearea.Inspect this plane carefully, open the inspection covers on the wing, youshould see stitching wire going across the ribs (from top to bottom)securing both top fabric and bottom fabric.I would walk away from it, if it doesn't have the top fabric stitched.The cracking paint is also a major concern, looks like the top paint is notflexible enough,Happens a lot with enamel paints over stits.The Corvair engine feels different because it is a 6 banger and smallerstroke engineThe best thing to do is to check compression on the cylinders.I get 150 to 140 PSI of compression on my new (40 hours) Corvair, using thestandard Automotive compression testerGood luck.Hans________________________________________________________________________________
27, 2005) at 11/15/2005 03:05:58 PMSterling,Rib stitching should go through both top and bottom.Technically the bottom should not need any (high pressure area) but the Topmust have stitching as it generates 75% of the lift with a low pressurearea.Inspect this plane carefully, open the inspection covers on the wing, youshould see stitching wire going across the ribs (from top to bottom)securing both top fabric and bottom fabric.I would walk away from it, if it doesn't have the top fabric stitched.The cracking paint is also a major concern, looks like the top paint is notflexible enough,Happens a lot with enamel paints over stits.The Corvair engine feels different because it is a 6 banger and smallerstroke engineThe best thing to do is to check compression on the cylinders.I get 150 to 140 PSI of compression on my new (40 hours) Corvair, using thestandard Automotive compression testerGood luck.Hans________________________________________________________________________________
Re: Pietenpol-List: Corvair Powered Piet for sale
Original Posted By: "Hans Vander Voort"
Hans... (and all)I'm not going back to look at this Aircamper a second time, too many thingsare suspect and I'll keep looking for a clean and well-built Aircamper tobuy that has a track-record. If anyone knows of a decent Aircamper for sale,please keep me in mind.Thanks,Sterling Brooks----- Original Message -----
Hans... (and all)I'm not going back to look at this Aircamper a second time, too many thingsare suspect and I'll keep looking for a clean and well-built Aircamper tobuy that has a track-record. If anyone knows of a decent Aircamper for sale,please keep me in mind.Thanks,Sterling Brooks----- Original Message -----
Re: Pietenpol-List: Corvair Powered Piet for sale
Original Posted By: Rick Holland
Re: Pietenpol-List: Corvair Powered Piet for sale
Original Posted By: "Sterling"
Sterling,If you're not in a big rush and it's not too far away. I'll have a Piet ready to go as soon as it's annual is completed in the next week or two.DickG.Ft. Myers, Fl.----- Original Message -----
Sterling,If you're not in a big rush and it's not too far away. I'll have a Piet ready to go as soon as it's annual is completed in the next week or two.DickG.Ft. Myers, Fl.----- Original Message -----