Original Posted By: fishin
>Can anyone give me an exact cost for a completed airframe?>>(ie. no engine but with gear and covered and such)>>Also, how long does it take to completely remove the wing for>transportation?>Aking for an EXACT cost made me wonder, so I added up all my reciepts andcame up with $2083 spread out over the past 5 years. Made me feel prettygood, $400/yr for something so wonderful is a cheap way to keepentertained.I bought my long boards of spruce (longerons and stab spars)at a lumbercompany along with the ply for the fuse sides. My fuse bottom, seats,and panels are marine ply and the balance of the spruce came from two ofAcft Spruce's "bargain bags" and I still have a lot left over. I am usingmotorcycle wheels ala Brian Kenney and Alan Wise, and made my own tankfrom 28 ga. galvanized following advice from Ed Samson at B'head a coupleof years ago.My bird is on it's gear with the tail all covered and the center-sectioncomplete. As soon as I get a couple more wires run and cable-endsfinished and installed, it will be ready to cover. OTHER OBSERVATIONS>From what I have observed from 5-6 yrs of association with Piets/Pietpeople, strap hinges as called out on the plans are preferred becausethey spread the mounting holes across the face of the aileron sparsrather than concentrating them along one line AND 1. they work just fineAND 2. they are cheap. Some people weld the eyes closed, others don't. Aclevis pin with a split pin to retain it replaces the stock hinge pin.It has been repeated over and over again in the newsletter and frompilots that aileron gap seals are mandatory for a good flying Piet. Thepreferred method seems to be dacron lightly doped into the bottom of thevee, although I have seen tape used, too.As far as the wing attachment goes........beats me!! I have barelystarted on mine, but I DO know that the Air Camper isn't one of thosedesigns that you would trailer around and set up quickly on a whim likean ultralight.Hope this helpsLarryp.s. Does anybody know if GM died or just lost interest? The webpage hasbeen idle since prior to the reunion. Also, has a successor fornewsletter editor been found?________________________________________________________________________________