Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Ian Holland
Help! My friend is very confused about which fuselage to build for an AirCamper powered by a Model A Ford engine. He is in his mid-70's and feels hehas no time to waste. He wants to get it built, and to get it into the air!So he is pushing me to try and find some answers for him. I hope this groupof Piet experts can help him.Here are the details of his most pressing problem:He purchased the Pietenpol Air Camper plans, fuselage sheet dated 1-19-33,length of fuselage is 163 inches.Several people have recommended building the "longer" fuselage version.He has been told by a Pietenpol builder to use poplar for the fuselage,because quality fir is just not available.Questions: Should he build the longer version? If so, what are the advantages?Where does one get the longer version plans (without having to buy other notneeded plans)?Is poplar wood a good replacement for fir?Many, many thanks!!Glenn________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: CAho878935(at)aol.com
--->He purchased the Pietenpol Air Camper plans, fuselage sheet dated 1-19-33,>length of fuselage is 163 inches.>>Several people have recommended building the "longer" fuselage version.>The longer version is used if you are not using a heavy engine suchas a Model A. If he is going with the A engine then build the shortfuselage.>He has been told by a Pietenpol builder to use poplar for the fuselage,>because quality fir is just not available.Quality fir is available. Better yet use spruce like was intended.You can get all of the spruce from Western Aircraft in Calgary. Somepeople have also found adequate Douglas Fir in lumber yards.-->Where does one get the longer version plans (without having to buy other not>needed plans)?http://www.pietenpol.com>>Is poplar wood a good replacement for fir?>The FAA says spruce, douglas fir, western hemlock. Use othersif you do the research. Piets have been built from other woods.Dave________________________________________________________________________________