Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: ADonJr(at)aol.com
Thanks to all who replied about the 3 piece wing. You've convinced me.Now who's plans Gary Price or Val Kaplers? I have Prices and have neverseen Kaplers. I'am going with an 85 Continental so the weight isn'tthat big of deal.Brad Schultzbrsch(at)afcon.net________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Paris Wilcox
I would look more into the spar question. The plans call for a solid sparand it sounds like you have an I beam. I'd want to run some comparisonnumbers before I used those spars.If you extend the center section you have introduced another point forpotential bending. The three piece wing uses a joint colocated with thecenter section struts. Essentialy you have a triangle, formed by the attachpointof the center section strut, the lift strut attach at the wing, and thelift strut attach at the fuselage. What you now have is a polygon with anadditional point some seven inches from the centersection strut. Again somestructural calculations would be in order.Ken Anderson wrote:> Hello to all,>> I am the proud (and third) owner of a partially completed air camper. I> have finally had the time to compare what I have to the new plans I> received from Don Pietenopl. The plans with the plane were some poor> photo copies.> The fuselage is on the gear and looks to be built to the plans for the> long version. Cockpit controls are in place. I can sit in it and make> airplane noises.> Tail feathers also appear built to the plans.> My concern is with the 3 piece wing that I have. This appears to have> been built without the benefit of the 3 piece plans.> The spars are built up using a plywood web with 3/4" cap strips. I don't> believe this should be a problem. Overall the quality workmanship is> good.> My questions regard the dimensions compared to the plans.> Each wing panel is shorter than the plans. To get the end to end> dimension correct the center section would have to be 43" vs. 29" on the> plans.> The attach fittings to the center section are opposite of the plans. As> shown the fittings are at the bottom of the spar. On my wings these> fittings are at the top of the spar.> What I would like to know is:> 1.Will the wider center section be a problem if I keep the end to end> dimensions correct?> 2. Should I build the center section to plans and have a 14" shorter> wing span? This would also shorten the lift struts.> 3. Will the attach fittings work and built or should I add an additional> fitting at the bottom of the spar?>> Thanks for any input. I'm sure more questions will follow.> Regards> Ken Anderson--David B.Schober, CPEInstructor, Aviation MaintenanceFairmont State CollegeNational Aerospace Education CenterRt. 3 Box 13Bridgeport, WV 26330-9503(304) 842-8300________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "David B. Schober"
Hello to all,I am the proud (and third) owner of a partially completed air camper. Ihave finally had the time to compare what I have to the new plans Ireceived from Don Pietenopl. The plans with the plane were some poorphoto copies.The fuselage is on the gear and looks to be built to the plans for thelong version. Cockpit controls are in place. I can sit in it and makeairplane noises.Tail feathers also appear built to the plans.My concern is with the 3 piece wing that I have. This appears to havebeen built without the benefit of the 3 piece plans.The spars are built up using a plywood web with 3/4" cap strips. I don'tbelieve this should be a problem. Overall the quality workmanship isgood.My questions regard the dimensions compared to the plans.Each wing panel is shorter than the plans. To get the end to enddimension correct the center section would have to be 43" vs. 29" on theplans.The attach fittings to the center section are opposite of the plans. Asshown the fittings are at the bottom of the spar. On my wings thesefittings are at the top of the spar.What I would like to know is:1.Will the wider center section be a problem if I keep the end to enddimensions correct?2. Should I build the center section to plans and have a 14" shorterwing span? This would also shorten the lift struts.3. Will the attach fittings work and built or should I add an additionalfitting at the bottom of the spar?Thanks for any input. I'm sure more questions will follow.RegardsKen Anderson________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "McNarry, John"
>Hello to all,>>I am the proud (and third) owner of a partially completed air camper. >My concern is with the 3 piece wing that I have. This appears to have>been built without the benefit of the 3 piece plans.>The spars are built up using a plywood web with 3/4" cap strips. Idon't>believe this should be a problem. Overall the quality workmanship is>good.Ken- That should be fine. This means you won't have to routeout any wood. My spars are formed with 1/2" thick web of spruceto form an I beam with 3/4" U channels top and bottom. This is mechanically stronger than a flat slab of 3/4" stock- which isplenty strong enough in itself. PS- how thick is the plywood web you have ?>The attach fittings to the center section are opposite of the plans. As>shown the fittings are at the bottom of the spar. On my wings these>fittings are at the top of the spar.Could this be a Grega wing ? One sure way to tell is that thePiet cabane and wing bottom fittings run with the airframe(to allow fore and aft adjustments of the wing position to accommodatevarious powerplants, pilot weights, etc. ),however the GN-1's fittingsrun with the wing- not allowing any adjustment of wing position.(but they are still a riot to fly and ride !) Ask Ted B. in FL ! Mike C. ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Ken Anderson
In regard to the three piece wing. The Gregas wing has the spar attach fittings as hinges on the spar center line. This leaves a gap between the center section and the wing. The Piet wing butts the spar with the "hinge" below the center line. Both are covered by fairings but isn't the Piet design neater? Has anyone out there used Piet style fittings on a Grega wing? The ability to make the wing change for Cof G might be worth it.I read somewere that if you wanted to put a part in your plane that wasn't in the plans, you should throw it into the air. If it comes back down leave it there!I have also been wondering if the guys flying with higher horsepower or large slow turning props find the rudder to have enough authority?Does the longer fuse help in this regard? J Mc________________________________________________________________________________