Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Rodger & Betty

Original Posted By: Rodger & Betty
Thanks again for the input Rodger. This helps when we new builders arelooking for reason and precedence to bolster our confidence in makinganother of those important early decisions.MichaelWaiting on Vi Kapler's wing drawings and wood order from WicksPortland, OR----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By:> Rodger & Betty
Thanks, Rodger, I can see the thinking, but unless weight/wingarea/distance between fittings/etc. are the same I don't think suchcomparisons are necessarily valid. Having said that, though, I never hadany doubt that 1" is overbuilt, just wondering where "approval" came from. Being a purist, I'll stick with 1" spar, routed, one-piece wing. Gene----------

Original Posted By: Lawrence V Williams
one of the follows on this list stated that he felt the LEAF tires looked a little thin. Have you taken a look at these tires?If they are used on the Kitfox, I 'd think they would be ok on a Piet...>From: leonstefanhutks(at)webtv.net (Leon Stefan)>Reply-To: pietenpol-list(at)matronics.com>To: pietenpol-list(at)matronics.com>Subject: Pietenpol-List: Wheels>Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 14:25:04 -0600 (CST)>>Stefan)>>Del: What about using atv. Wheels. You are already using atv hubs and>rotors. You can custom order them blank(they will have a small pilot>hole). My hubs have a 1 3/4 boss. I ordered mine with that size center>hole and drilled the lug bolt holes my self. Mine are 8" wheels. Leading>Edge Airfoils sells skinned 8X21"tall tire's as used on the Kitfox.>gives it the old Goodyear Air Wheel look, and nice flotation which could>be a nice blessing in the event of a forced landing in a soft farm>field. Leon S.>>________________________________________________________________________________Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 11:35:23 -0500Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: 3/4" Spars

Original Posted By: Rodger & Betty

Original Posted By:> Lawrence V Williams
No chiding necessary. I am the last person to worry about approval, thatis why I put quotations around it.----------

Original Posted By:> Borodent(at)aol.com [SMTP:Borodent(at)aol.com]
Hi Henry,The Hoopman plans (1934) do call out for 1/16" plywood or heavy cardboard tocover the leading edge back to the spar. Look in the upper left corner ofthe wing sheet. I wouldn't worry about the extra thickness - just glue iton top of the ribs. You will have to steam it or soak it in hot water ifyou want to wrap it around the ledaing edge and cover to the spar on thebottom side as well. Refer to the EAA's book "Wood Aircraft BuildingTechniques" for tips on how to work with plywood.I haven't decided whether I will use plywood or 2024-T3 aluminum sheet forthe leading edge. Plywood is certainly stronger when glued to each rib, butaluminum is a lot easier to work with, and is cheaper. Aluminum iscertainly stronger than cardboard, whcih was used on most of the earlyPietenpols. 1/16" Birch plywood and .016" thick 2024 aluminum are almostexactly the same weight - either one will add 10 lbs to the total weight ofthe wing. Most wood wing airplanes today use aluminum for leading andtrailing edges. I'm sure Bernard would have used aluminum if it werereadily available back in 1929. I will probably go with the aluminum.I already have aluminum trailing edges installed on my wing. They are easyto install and are strong and perfectly straight. Good Luck, Jack> -----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: "Graham Hansen"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: 3/4" SparsBernard Pietenpol thought so...he went to 3/4" spars on his later airplanes Donl________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips (EUS)"
> > > Gene,> > Rodger Childs here, builder with Pietenpol in progress, one piece wing,> 1" spar. > > I think a reason for the 3/4" spars may be that the Piper Cub used the> 3/4" spars, back when the wings were wooden, and so does the Wag-Aero> Sport Trainer, a pure Cub copy.> > Since the Cub and the Piet are similar in weight, size, engine hp, ect.,> and since the Cub is a certified airplane where the Feds have done their> scrutiny thing, as well as Piper, it is safe to ASSUME (?) that 3/4"> spars will work for the Piet too. This may be the reason 3/4" is a good> spar choice, and maybe cost is a factor too, don't know about that.> Weight savings may be a side benefit.> > Some even speak of routing the rear spar 1/8" deep when using the 3/4"> spars. BUT if Piper didn't do it, I wouldn't do it either. No need to > be a test pilot if you don't need to be, especially if you are not> getting paid for it. > > My drawings from Wag-Aero show the Sport Trainer airfoil, and therefor> the spars, to be deeper than the Piet airfoil and spars. So routing the > rear spar on a 3/4" Piet spar, even 1/8" deep, would seem foolish.> > Who/when/how was it that determined 3/4" was sufficient? Don't know,> but it's easy to follow the thinking. Ha, there I go leading the witness> as Perry Mason would say.> > Rodger> > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips (EUS)"
> > > > writes:> >> >Thanks, Rodger, I can see the thinking, but unless weight/wing> >area/distance between fittings/etc. are the same I don't think such> >comparisons are necessarily valid. Having said that, though, I never > >had> >any doubt that 1" is overbuilt, just wondering where "approval" came > >from. > >Being a purist, I'll stick with 1" spar, routed, one-piece wing.> > Gene> >Gene> > I was going to chide you for needing "approval" but decided it wouldn't> be very nice. > > Mr. Pietenpol used 3/4" spars. Admittedly, they were laminated but that> is where all this 1" vs 3/4" confusion may have started. The precedent> was set before we were born.> > Larry> > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________