Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Bill Talbert
Subject: Pietenpol-List: flying 3x in 3days>Flying is great.>>For Christmas my wife (bless her heart) bought me some thermal>underwear, the warmest socks on the planet, and sent me off flying. A>brother in law gave me a new pair of smith snowboard goggles (he owns a>snowboard shop). Needless to say I had few excuses left but to go fly.>The pre-Christmas snow storm had nearly melted off and with all the>family obiligitory visits out of the way the New Years weekend was a>time to fly. I had Thurs and Fri off and the weather turned warm.>Checking my new panel mounted thermometer it was a balmy 39 degrees. I>finished my preflight by hand propping the engine through a half a dozen>times to get the juices flowing (mine) and a little pre-start oiling for>the engine. The old Continetal sprang to life on the second pull and I>even remebered this time to turn on the fuel! After a quick oil>pressure check, I start to pile on the layers of clothing while the>engine warms. A couple of my comrades drive by retreating to their>heated hangers to piddle with their planes. They have become accustomed>to my mid winter flights. Their passengers however-faces glued to the>frosty windows can't believe their eyes as they see this abobinable stay>puff pilot stuffing himself into an open cockpit puddle jumper. I must>have answered the "Isn't it freezing?" question 10 times. It's not>really that bad. Warmer in fact than any snowmobile trip I've been on.>Admitedly though, my flight at 22 degrees was a short one.>>Taxi over for fuel. Filled the tank for $18.01 and flew all three days>and still have some left. Was a joy not to have to shell out 50 clams>an hour anymore. I could really get used to this idea! The flights are>full of things to do. After every flight I add something to the>fix/adjust it list. -provides a good excuse to go flying again. I>think that I finally fixed my tailwheel problem. I cut about 2 inches>out of the spring and nicopressed the tailwheel cables at the most>comfortable length. I can now get the tail down on landing most of the>time. The rest of the time can be blamed on the novice tailwheel>pilot. The static source is still giving me fits. Instead of reading>20mph over now it reads 20mph under. I've tried behind the panel under>the seat, in the rear cockpit, non at all, and now through the rear>cockpit aluminum. For those of you that are still building your wings,>you'll save yourself this greif by running a second line up to your>pitot tube that can be used as a static port. One solution that I did>find is that without the front pit cover on all my static problems go>away.>>Fridays flight was very short. On the surface the winds were nearly>calm, but at 100' I started to get pounded. Good thing for seat belts.>They were used several times during the next 15 min to keep my body from>departing the airframe. I had an unexpected shake test as the>turbulence thumpped me sensless. 20 degree buffets left and right and>gusts in every direction convinced me that this wasn't fun anymore.>Strangely on 100' up on final the turbulence stopped and I got down>without breaking anything. That was enough for the day. (so I>thought) After getting home, I re-flew my landing enought times that I>couldn't shake my disappointment in myself that I went back out to the>airport. After checking the wind and watching others overfly I could>tell that the turbulence had passed. I jumped in and ran another>curcuit and made a great landing just to make sure I could go to bed>satisfied with myself.>>Saturday was the warmest yet. I think we topped 50 degrees! The snow>was nearly gone except for the 10' pile at the ramps edge. I decided to>do some GPS checks on my cruise speed. I picked up a ground track that>followed I-15 south for about 15 minutes. The GPS numbers confirmed my>suspicion that I was going pretty slow (one formed by noticing that>every car and truck on the interstate was passing me), a whopping>59mph! I turned around and flew northbound and felt a little better now>that I was passing the semi trucks. Passenger cars just about stood>still as I clocked 74mph! I predict close attention being paid to winds>during future cross-country flight planning. I got my first rain drops>splattering my windsheild and forehead as I entered the pattern to>land. I can't wait for longer-warmer days of spring to arrive!>>I am very pleased with this little flying machine!>>Keep building!>>Stevee>>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Warren D. Shoun"
Stevee,Are you using a preheating system of some sort? My C-65 wouldn't startthe other day when it was 50 or so. I don't have elec. out to my hanger,so I need to come up with a system to get the time warmed up.Craig________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: jkahn(at)picasso.dehavilland.ca (John Kahn)
Flying is great.For Christmas my wife (bless her heart) bought me some thermalunderwear, the warmest socks on the planet, and sent me off flying. Abrother in law gave me a new pair of smith snowboard goggles (he owns asnowboard shop). Needless to say I had few excuses left but to go fly.The pre-Christmas snow storm had nearly melted off and with all thefamily obiligitory visits out of the way the New Years weekend was atime to fly. I had Thurs and Fri off and the weather turned warm.Checking my new panel mounted thermometer it was a balmy 39 degrees. Ifinished my preflight by hand propping the engine through a half a dozentimes to get the juices flowing (mine) and a little pre-start oiling forthe engine. The old Continetal sprang to life on the second pull and Ieven remebered this time to turn on the fuel! After a quick oilpressure check, I start to pile on the layers of clothing while theengine warms. A couple of my comrades drive by retreating to theirheated hangers to piddle with their planes. They have become accustomedto my mid winter flights. Their passengers however-faces glued to thefrosty windows can't believe their eyes as they see this abobinable staypuff pilot stuffing himself into an open cockpit puddle jumper. I musthave answered the "Isn't it freezing?" question 10 times. It's notreally that bad. Warmer in fact than any snowmobile trip I've been on.Admitedly though, my flight at 22 degrees was a short one.Taxi over for fuel. Filled the tank for $18.01 and flew all three daysand still have some left. Was a joy not to have to shell out 50 clamsan hour anymore. I could really get used to this idea! The flights arefull of things to do. After every flight I add something to thefix/adjust it list. -provides a good excuse to go flying again. Ithink that I finally fixed my tailwheel problem. I cut about 2 inchesout of the spring and nicopressed the tailwheel cables at the mostcomfortable length. I can now get the tail down on landing most of thetime. The rest of the time can be blamed on the novice tailwheelpilot. The static source is still giving me fits. Instead of reading20mph over now it reads 20mph under. I've tried behind the panel underthe seat, in the rear cockpit, non at all, and now through the rearcockpit aluminum. For those of you that are still building your wings,you'll save yourself this greif by running a second line up to yourpitot tube that can be used as a static port. One solution that I didfind is that without the front pit cover on all my static problems goaway.Fridays flight was very short. On the surface the winds were nearlycalm, but at 100' I started to get pounded. Good thing for seat belts.They were used several times during the next 15 min to keep my body fromdeparting the airframe. I had an unexpected shake test as theturbulence thumpped me sensless. 20 degree buffets left and right andgusts in every direction convinced me that this wasn't fun anymore.Strangely on 100' up on final the turbulence stopped and I got downwithout breaking anything. That was enough for the day. (so Ithought) After getting home, I re-flew my landing enought times that Icouldn't shake my disappointment in myself that I went back out to theairport. After checking the wind and watching others overfly I couldtell that the turbulence had passed. I jumped in and ran anothercurcuit and made a great landing just to make sure I could go to bedsatisfied with myself.Saturday was the warmest yet. I think we topped 50 degrees! The snowwas nearly gone except for the 10' pile at the ramps edge. I decided todo some GPS checks on my cruise speed. I picked up a ground track thatfollowed I-15 south for about 15 minutes. The GPS numbers confirmed mysuspicion that I was going pretty slow (one formed by noticing thatevery car and truck on the interstate was passing me), a whopping59mph! I turned around and flew northbound and felt a little better nowthat I was passing the semi trucks. Passenger cars just about stoodstill as I clocked 74mph! I predict close attention being paid to windsduring future cross-country flight planning. I got my first rain dropssplattering my windsheild and forehead as I entered the pattern toland. I can't wait for longer-warmer days of spring to arrive!I am very pleased with this little flying machine!Keep building!Stevee________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: jkahn(at)picasso.dehavilland.ca (John Kahn)
Steve,If I wasn't ready to build a Piet already - I would be now!! Great update! Jim Wrightjgw(at)skynet.be________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Doug Hunt
Steve,Congradulations on flying over the holidays. I loved the comment abouteveryone saying it must be freezing. I flew my Nieuport 17 that sameweekend and got the same questions. I try and fly at least once eachmonth of the year. Making a Model B powered bi(piet?) for my wife, andcan't wait to get going...Jerry________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Steve Eldredge
Steve,Sounds like a lot of fun! Why do you think you are not getting up to 85m.p.h. like you anticipated?Brent Reed-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: Ted Brousseau
Stevee,For someone from Florida, what are snowboard goggles? Something good for apiet pilot? Something I should be looking for?Ted> A brother in law gave me a new pair of smith snowboard goggles (he owns a>snowboard shop). ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Domenico Bellissimo
>Steve,>>Sounds like a lot of fun! Why do you think you are not getting up to 85>m.p.h. like you anticipated?>It is obvious - he was trying to fly level. I love it when the tower asks me to keep my speed up and I push the nosedown to get it up to 80 mph - the fastest speed of the trip to land... Gofigure.Ted Brousseau/APFnfn00979(at)gator.naples.netSunny SW Florida________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: David
Ted Brousseau wrote:> >Steve,> >> >Sounds like a lot of fun! Why do you think you are not getting up to> 85> >m.p.h. like you anticipated?> >> It is obvious - he was trying to fly level.>Ha ha ha! that is great!I really don't care what my top cruise willbe. I choose the wrong design if I was looking for better cruise.> I love it when the tower asks me to keep my speed up and I push the> nose> down to get it up to 80 mph - the fastest speed of the trip to land...> Go> figure.>> Ted Brousseau/APFSnowboard goggles BTW are just like ski goggles as far as I can tell,unless you are talking to an avid snowboarder.Stevee________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Steve Eldredge
clawler wrote:> Stevee,>> Are you using a preheating system of some sort? My C-65 wouldn't start>> the other day when it was 50 or so. I don't have elec. out to my> hanger,> so I need to come up with a system to get the time warmed up.>> Craig Craig,Sorry I didn't respond to this earlier. Funny you should mention this.I had the most difficult time starting my engine when it was around48-50 degrees. I cant say that it really means what it implies, causeI think that I have learned something about starting these old engines.I have found that during preflight after checking the oil that pullingthe blades through 12 times or so with the fuel off loossens things upa bit. After the preflight is done, but before going mags hot, I againflip the prop, but this time with the fuel on, and with gusto. Gutso=grabbing the prop with both hands, one on each blade (one overhand oneunderhand) and spinning the prop through as fast as I can. I have foundthat if I can build enough momentum up to get the prop through one extracompression stroke after I let go it is lubricated enough. This actionalso creates enough suction to get the fuel into the cylinders. At thispoint I go mags hot (check tailwheel for tie-down) full rich, throttlecompletely closed, and give it a good flip with both hands on thedecending blade, leg doing the swing kick and all. If it doesn't starton the first or second pull, I go mags cold and do a couple more gustoflips. After the engine starts I leave it running at idle and check oilpressure. I get about 10-15lbs. I use this engine warm up time getdressed in my warm gear. I let it idle for about 5 min before going to1000rpm.Hope this helpsStevee________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Dean Dayton
Stevee,Thanks I'll try you systemCraig________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Domenico Bellissimo
>Snowboard goggles BTW are just like ski goggles as far as I can tell,>unless you are talking to an avid snowboarder.>Stevee,You just don't get it do you? What are ski goggles like? Remember, I am inFlorida!!!Ted Brousseau/APFnfn00979(at)gator.naples.netSunny SW Florida________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By:> Steve Eldredge

Original Posted By: michael list
Ted, You Floridians are usually transplanted snowbirds who should know better.Of course you could get in an airplane and fly to mountains to ski orsnowboard. Skiing is the closest you can get personally to flying without wings, engineor chute!If you use a jump, you can catch some "air". (Tahoe is a ski area that hassun 250+ days a year!) Watch out for moving trees. >>>Snowboard goggles BTW are just like ski goggles as far as I can tell,>>unless you are talking to an avid snowboarder.>>>Stevee,>>You just don't get it do you? What are ski goggles like? Remember, I am in>Florida!!!>>Ted Brousseau/APF>nfn00979(at)gator.naples.net>Sunny SW Florida>>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "McNarry, John"
On Fri, 9 Jan 1998, Ted Brousseau wrote:> > >Snowboard goggles BTW are just like ski goggles as far as I can tell,> >unless you are talking to an avid snowboarder.> >> Stevee,> > You just don't get it do you? What are ski goggles like? Remember, I am in> Florida!!!> > Ted Brousseau/APF> nfn00979(at)gator.naples.net> Sunny SW Florida> > Oh, in that case, they are a lot like snowmobile goggles ;=)Actually, they are plastic lense goggles that have vents around the sides to allow them to remain fog free. They are very comfortable to wear (I've had mine on skiing all day without any discomfort). They come in either tinted or clear. Some of the tints they use today are actuall quite good for night skiing which may carry over into flying. THe wrap around design will also work well for pilots. You can get sets to work with or without glasses underneath. Finally, if you'd like to take a look at a set, try out:http://www.oakley.com/product/goggles/Not advertising, just giving you a site with some pics . Ken________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Jim Wright
Ok, here's my A65 starting tech.. also with 2 impulse couplers on myLuscombe 8A.pull 12 times with mags offone shot primepull one or two bladesone more shot primethrotle cracked 1/8 inch no moremags hot flip prop with one hand (no great effort)It seems when ever some one trys to help me and they give a big kick a__pull I end up having to do all sorts of things to get back in thegroove.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Glenn Robb
Ted Brousseau wrote:>> >Snowboard goggles BTW are just like ski goggles as far as I can tell,>> >unless you are talking to an avid snowboarder.> >> Stevee,>> You just don't get it do you? What are ski goggles like? Remember, I> am in> Florida!!!>> Ted Brousseau/APFWhoops.Sorry Ted. Glad someone else posted a good answer, although they are abit like snowmobile goggles . I've been out sick for the last fivedays and I guess it shows.Stevee (feeling a little better).________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Barry Davis
Stevee,Glad to see you are on the mend. Thanks for the reply. I guess what I wantto know is whether these northern things are something I should be lookingat for down here? Are they "better" than the standard a/c goggles?Ted>Whoops.>>Sorry Ted. Glad someone else posted a good answer, although they are a>bit like snowmobile goggles . I've been out sick for the last five>days and I guess it shows.>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Steve Eldredge
Well, I wear glasses and they cover them and still feel really comfortable. I will probably use them throughout the year. They don't look authentic as the leather bug eye goggles of the period, but they work great keeping out the cold and the wind.SteveeOn Wednesday, January 14, 1998 7:23 PM, Ted Brousseau [SMTP:nfn00979(at)naples.net] wrote:> Stevee,>> Glad to see you are on the mend. Thanks for the reply. I guess what I want> to know is whether these northern things are something I should be looking> at for down here? Are they "better" than the standard a/c goggles?>> Ted>>> >Whoops.> >> >Sorry Ted. Glad someone else posted a good answer, although they are a> >bit like snowmobile goggles . I've been out sick for the last five> >days and I guess it shows.> >________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Dean Dayton
> > clawler wrote:> > > Stevee,> >> > Are you using a preheating system of some sort? My C-65 wouldn't start> >> > the other day when it was 50 or so. I don't have elec. out to my> > hanger,> > so I need to come up with a system to get the time warmed up.> >> > Craig> > Craig,> > Sorry I didn't respond to this earlier. Funny you should mention this.> I had the most difficult time starting my engine when it was around> 48-50 degrees. I cant say that it really means what it implies, cause> I think that I have learned something about starting these old engines.> I have found that during preflight after checking the oil that pulling> the blades through 12 times or so with the fuel off loossens things up> a bit. After the preflight is done, but before going mags hot, I again> flip the prop, but this time with the fuel on, and with gusto. Gutso=> grabbing the prop with both hands, one on each blade (one overhand one> underhand) and spinning the prop through as fast as I can. I have found> that if I can build enough momentum up to get the prop through one extra> compression stroke after I let go it is lubricated enough. This action> also creates enough suction to get the fuel into the cylinders. At this> point I go mags hot (check tailwheel for tie-down) full rich, throttle> completely closed, and give it a good flip with both hands on the> decending blade, leg doing the swing kick and all. If it doesn't start> on the first or second pull, I go mags cold and do a couple more gusto> flips. After the engine starts I leave it running at idle and check oil> pressure. I get about 10-15lbs. I use this engine warm up time get> dressed in my warm gear. I let it idle for about 5 min before going to> 1000rpm.> > Hope this helps> > Stevee> Re "cold start" Here in Alberta ,50 degrees means the mosquitoes are just abit sluggish,and you may be thinking of a jacket.I fly 46 CHAMP WITH AC-85 NO ELECTRICS WITH IMPULSE MAG.The preflight starts with giving theprimer 4 to 5 full shots of primer,remaining preflight is then carriedout.Then standing BEHIND the prop,were throttle can be seen,2 non dramaticflips of the prop will usually have it running.With impulse mags, greateffort on the prop is not needed. By primming first and allowing 5 to 10 minutes for the fuel to vapourizebefore starting seems to help. There are small propane fueled heaters you may consider if yours isdifficult to start,but at temps above 15 to 20 f. should not be required,certainly not at 50 deg.f. Happy aviating Doug.________________________________________________________________________________