Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Gary Gower
I'm in the research phase for a pietenpol construction project rightnow. I'm 6'3", 205lbs. I've heard talk about a "long" versionof the Pietenpol, does this have a roomier cockpit? Also, I'd liketo build one with an electrical system. I'm guessing that most peopledon't build them with an electrical system, as I havent seen manypictures with A/C lights or Nav lights. I'm confusedas to the plans I'll need to build. I've seen references to the GN-1,Dons Plans, some Three Part wing plans, and a long plan version.. Whatdo all these things mean? Any help or tips frompeople in the Minneapolis Area would be really great.Thanks,-Eric (612)317-7768Days, (612)821-5064eves.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Kevin Southwick
Quite a few pics of it: http://www.wrld.com/w3builder/pietmost of the ones with the * are the Grega plane. > ps- I should have asked John how come he's never built one of> > his own Grega's. > > pss- you want to see a nice Grega, check out Jim Sury in TX.> > Beauty. Web Developer, http://www.autoeurope.comHomepage: http://www.wrld.com/w3builder__________ ... __________

Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy
Dear Eric: I have gone thru the same issues and the same research. Ipurchased every set of plans from anyone who said they had"Pietenpol plans". Here is what I would recommend. Send $60.00to Orrin C. Hoopman, 800 17th st. SW, Austin, MN 55912 for hisplans for the "Improved AirCamper". You will receive a standardset of Bernie's origional plans, plus an addendum for the longfuselage, which does give you an additional 10" in the fuselage,longer leg room in the rear cockpit, and details of the woodenlanding gear, and a full size rib drawing. With these plansand a "modern" engine (Bernie used a Corvair) you will not haveto move the wing back and forth nearly as much to get properrigging. If your soul requires you to worship at the one truechurch, you must stop here. If, however, you are curious andthoughtful about the moving experiences others have encountered intheir search for creative self-expression, order another set ofplans for the GN-1 from John W. Grega at 355 Grand Boulevard,Bedford OH 44146 for $25.00. Personally, I think his enginemount is far superior, and there are several ideas that at thevery least will expand your understanding of what you are aboutto do. Lastly, get acquainted with some basic drafting tools anddraw out the numerous detail items before you push the big redbutton on your table saw. You will save an enormous amount ofsawdust sweeping, and again, you will have a much better ideaof how this bird goes together. Please also note that I am just getting started, having onlybought some "real" wood this past week. I also spent many,many weeks getting information and pouring over the plans,wondering how you put an angled 3/4" joint up against a 1" pieceand then get a smooth fit with 1/8" plywood. Have fun andbecome a Zen priest of patience and excellence in your work.Best Regards, Warren.Eric Ulmer wrote:> I'm in the research phase for a pietenpol construction project right> now. I'm 6'3", 205lbs. I've heard talk about a "long" version> of the Pietenpol, does this have a roomier cockpit? Also, I'd like> to build one with an electrical system. I'm guessing that most people> don't build them with an electrical system, as I havent seen many> pictures with A/C lights or Nav lights. I'm confused> as to the plans I'll need to build. I've seen references to the GN-1,> Dons Plans, some Three Part wing plans, and a long plan version.. What> do all these things mean? Any help or tips from> people in the Minneapolis Area would be really great.>> Thanks,> -Eric (612)317-7768Days, (612)821-5064eves.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: rdecosta(at)autoeurope.com (Richard DeCosta)
>I'm in the research phase for a pietenpol construction project right>now. I'm 6'3", 205lbs. I've heard talk about a "long" version>of the Pietenpol, does this have a roomier cockpit?Eric- Yes. You get about 2" more leg room in each cockpit andabout 5" more aft of that. I'm 5'9" and I have the short fuse andwouldn't mind more room.> I'm confused>as to the plans I'll need to build. I've seen references to the GN-1,>Dons Plans, some Three Part wing plans, and a long plan version.. All of your questions are answered on Grant MacLaren's BuckeyePietenpol Association home page under 'Frequently asked questions' : ffff,0000,0000http://users.aol.com/bpanews/faq.html The GN-1 was designed by John Grega here in Bedford Ohio andintended to use many Cub parts. (when Cub parts used to becheap) From a distance you couldn't tell a Piet and a Gregaapart, but there are differences. Grega advertised his plans in Sport Av and other places for only $25 !!!! while BernardPietenpol was much less active in advertising during that period.They are both nicknamed 'Air Camper' thus all the confusionto newcomers. (understood) At a local fly-in last year John wasthere and someone pointed me out and told him I was buildinga Piet. He asked why I didn't pick his plans. I told him that Iwanted to be able to move my wing fore and aft to adjust myCG rather than change engine mount lengths, add ballast, etc. On the Piet you can move the wing to get your CG just rightfor whatever configuration you dream up: ie, Model A, Corvair,A-65, Subaru, LeBlond, Fiesta, 0-200, and combine that withother things like: tailwheel, no tailwheel, wing fuel tank, nose fueltank, or both. The Grega wing doesn't move that way. I've flown Joe Leonard's GN-1 here, and it flies just fine. Nottrying to talk you into or out of anything, just to help out yourresearch. All the best , Mike C. ps- I should have asked John how come he's never built one ofhis own Grega's. pss- you want to see a nice Grega, check out Jim Sury in TX.Beauty.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By:> GMalley

Original Posted By: Doug Hunt
I used the longer fuselage, hung a heavy (Ford Fiesta) engine up front andmoved the rear cockpit back two inches, giving me ample room; weight andbalance was right on the money with the cabanes straight.One of the reasons for the engine was its electical system. I can't move fivemiles without bumping into a TCA, er, class B, controlled fields and manyother aircraft. So I've got strobes to be seen, nav lights to stay out late,and a com radio and a transponder to sightsee the metropolitan area. It addsup to freedom in the northeast. It also adds up to 815 pounds. I gross at1250. Takeoffs are over 600 feet.Use Bernard Pietenpol's plans, they're great. Vi Kapler's wing is helpful.Grega's plans are useful for ideas and later for placemats.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By:> GMalley

Original Posted By: Doug Hunt
The climb with the Fiesta varies from 200 ft/min with 2 people and 20 gallonsof fuel to 700 ft/min when I'm alone with only a few gallons.There isn't much of a cruise window: from 62 to 66 (mph). Below that it beginsto descend, mushing down below 40 to a full stall. Full throttle in levelflight will produce 70 mph. Higher speds can be obtrained by aiming at a patchof ground. I believe that my large flat nose a la Jenny produces more dragthan Bernie's arrangement.Jim Malley________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Gerard "Larry" Huber"
Where in Maine did you fly to? I live in Portland.> Yeah, Howard Levy of Kitplanes did a nice job.> > I finished the aircraft in 1989, and first flew it 1990. After some> overheating problems were corrected it has flown steadily since. Total time is> now 320 hours with no problems with the engine. Most flights are short (under> a half hour), but we have gone from New Jersey to Wisconsin twice and up to> Maine once as well.> > Jim Malley> -----------------------------http://www.wrld.com/w3builderPietenpols, Electronic Music,Website Design, Stompilation________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: rdecosta(at)autoeurope.com (Richard DeCosta)
Yeah, Howard Levy of Kitplanes did a nice job.I finished the aircraft in 1989, and first flew it 1990. After someoverheating problems were corrected it has flown steadily since. Total time isnow 320 hours with no problems with the engine. Most flights are short (undera half hour), but we have gone from New Jersey to Wisconsin twice and up toMaine once as well.Jim Malley________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy
Jim,Where are you keeping your plane? We are just up in PA. It might be neatto fly down this spring. I haven't been doing any long distance flyingwith the Piet at all. Mostly the hour before dark is best.Craig________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Ken Hannan
> > I used the longer fuselage, hung a heavy (Ford Fiesta) engine up frontand> moved the rear cockpit back two inches, giving me ample room; weight and> balance was right on the money with the cabanes straight.> > One of the reasons for the engine was its electical system. I can't movefive> miles without bumping into a TCA, er, class B, controlled fields and many> other aircraft. So I've got strobes to be seen, nav lights to stay outlate,> and a com radio and a transponder to sightsee the metropolitan area. Itadds> up to freedom in the northeast. It also adds up to 815 pounds. I gross at> 1250. Takeoffs are over 600 feet.> > Use Bernard Pietenpol's plans, they're great. Vi Kapler's wing ishelpful.> Grega's plans are useful for ideas and later for placemats. How is the climb and cruise with the fiesta engine? Doug________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Aron(at)hrn.bradley.edu
> > The climb with the Fiesta varies from 200 ft/min with 2 people and 20gallons> of fuel to 700 ft/min when I'm alone with only a few gallons.> > There isn't much of a cruise window: from 62 to 66 (mph). Below that itbegins> to descend, mushing down below 40 to a full stall. Full throttle in level> flight will produce 70 mph. Higher speds can be obtrained by aiming at apatch> of ground. I believe that my large flat nose a la Jenny produces moredrag> than Bernie's arrangement.> > Jim Malley________ Thanks for the response Jim,is your Piet the one that was inKitplanes a couple of years ago?If so i sure liked the burnished finish onthe cowling. How is the reliability of the Fiesta engine? Doug Hunt________________________________________________________________________________