Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Alan Swanson
Good a.m., gentlemen,Lets have a quick poll and discussion on rib-stitching tail feathers. Proand Con? Done and not done?Also, what size, style finishing tapes did everyone use on their tailfeathers?I am in process of covering the first piece of my airplane -- the rightelevator. I decided pretty quick that this one will be a practice piecewith the fabric ripped off and re-done. No learning like getting your handson it and doing it!John-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: Ed0248(at)aol.com
Good a.m., gentlemen,Lets have a quick poll and discussion on rib-stitching tail feathers. Proand Con? Done and not done?Also, what size, style finishing tapes did everyone use on their tailfeathers?I am in process of covering the first piece of my airplane -- the rightelevator. I decided pretty quick that this one will be a practice piecewith the fabric ripped off and re-done. No learning like getting your handson it and doing it!JohnNothing like waking up to fresh pietenpol chat on a Monday morning!I did my rudder the same way. I rib stiched all the tail surfaces with3inch spacing. Learning the knot on smaller pieces saved much frustrationbecause you can move and position the part much easier than say a wing. Iused 1/2" poly-fiber reinforcing tapes over the ribs, stitched them thentaped with 2 inch tape, then did the perimeter with 3 inch working from therear of the surface forward, so that all the overlaps were slip-streamready. All tapes were pinked edge.Steve E. (43 hours and counting!)________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Ken Hannan
I'm looking at 'figure 3.0- Fabric attachment spacing' in A.C. 43-13-1, whichcovers the text of paragraph 78...the figure says, in essence, that for anairplane with a Vne of 150 MPH or less, the maximum spacing OTHER THAN IN THESLIPSTREAM (I have read that to mean outer wing panels for the past 35+ years)is 3 1/2 inches. For other applications, it says maximum of 2 inches. Italso says that the curve presented presumes leading edge support reinforcementsuch as plywood, metal, ets. The tail feathers would certainly be consideredto be in the slipstream. If it isn't, we wouldn't worry about such things as"tail blanking". If you can't get a copy of this Advisory Circular off the net atwww.fedworld.gov/faa, try finding "Landings" and you can probably download itthere. Or, try EAA bookstore. They have some great books on fabric work.Call Superflight Coverings In Chicago. They have a good pamphlet and video.Call Poly Fiber. Their stuff is good, too.Let us know how it turns out.Ed ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By:
Hi there!Got a good question for you guys that have your tail feathers finished --which cross-sections are used for the ends of the rudder, elevators & etc.It looks like BH used the leading edge shape for the ends of the horizontalstabilizer -- did he use the main beam (hinge attach) shape for the ends ofthe rudder & elevators (??) or something else?MikePretty Prairie, KS----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Chris Tracy
Subject: Pietenpol-List: wing dihedral>>Doug wrote:>>>I would have a hard time believing that either way would have>>any effect on the flying characteristics of this plane.>>Well, history would agree with you, and I think Don Pietenpol's notes say>that BHP tried adding dihedral and didn't find it worthwhile. Hundreds of>builders over the years would agree with you too.>>The purpose is to make the plane more stable or "self-righting", with the>mass of the fuselage "hanging" between the two lifting surfaces, or thelift>vectors acting slightly toward the center axis of the airplane and counter>to gravity so that the plane would tend to fly wings-level. But howeverall>the engineering and vector stuff works, the intent of adding dihedral is to>make the plane more stable. However, the intent of me making the commentis>to get in a little ribbing on Mike ;o)>>Oscar Zuniga>Medford, Oregon>mailto: taildrags(at)hotmail.com>website at http://www.flysquirrel.net>>________________________________________________________________________________Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 19:26:58 -0700Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re:Tail Feathers

Original Posted By: NormDecou(at)aol.com
Hello list.Thank you all for the kind replays to my last letter. They have strengthened me in my plans to go ahead with an Aircamper project. I have also taken contact with the Swedish chapter of EAA, chapter 222, and got there blessing.I got a lot of tips from you considering the choice of engine and fortunately I dont have to make any decision for some time. But I will surely consider your advice.Today, my husband, and me where over to the airfield and collected our glider. It is now stowed in our garage for winter maintenance. We expect the first snow any day now and with the glider under roof we are ready for it.Jannica in SwedenHmta MSN Explorer kostnadsfritt p http://explorer.msn.se________________________________________________________________________________