Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Carl Loar"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Center sectionI have reached a point in construction where I feel like I've run off the page of instructions. Naamely the center section. The plans ( supplemental sheet for 3 pc wing and color photos ) show 3/8 compression struts (2) against lower edge of spars with instructions to cut the lower edge to the same curve as the lower edge of the rib. Question: Is this strut to be installed with the lower edge adjacent to the ribs so the plywood compartment floor will attach or should this be above somewhat and the lower section be covered with fabric? One of the 4 photos show a view from above and it appears that there is another compression strut on either side with vertical cap strips and gussets. This feature is NOT shown on the supplemental plan. I've completed most everything shown on the plans. Now I'm on my own.HELPCorky in La________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Michael Brusilow"
I too am just starting the center section. I'll look at the plans and the photos I have and see if it gives any insight. If so I'll let you know. Meantime I will be looking for someone to reply to your question who has done it and found the answer. Dave Boyd, Champaign IL>From: Isablcorky(at)aol.com>Reply-To: pietenpol-list(at)matronics.com, Isablcorky(at)aol.com>To: Pietenpol-List(at)matronics.com>Subject: Pietenpol-List: Center section>Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2000 18:18:56 EDT>>>I have reached a point in construction where I feel like I've run off the>page of instructions. Naamely the center section. The plans ( supplemental>sheet for 3 pc wing and color photos ) show 3/8 compression struts (2)>against lower edge of spars with instructions to cut the lower edge to the>same curve as the lower edge of the rib. Question: Is this strut to be>installed with the lower edge adjacent to the ribs so the plywood >compartment>floor will attach or should this be above somewhat and the lower section be>covered with fabric? One of the 4 photos show a view from above and it>appears that there is another compression strut on either side with >vertical>cap strips and gussets. This feature is NOT shown on the supplemental plan.>I've completed most everything shown on the plans. Now I'm on my own.>HELP>Corky in La>>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Richard Gillespie"
From what I can tell from the plans the plywood floor of the fuel tank compartment would attach to the compression struts, that is the compression struts which are to be cut in contour with the lower part of the ribs, in the center section. I don't have the color photos you mention. I sure would like to hear from someone else on this.Dave Boyd in Champaign, IL>From: Isablcorky(at)aol.com>Reply-To: pietenpol-list(at)matronics.com, Isablcorky(at)aol.com>To: Pietenpol-List(at)matronics.com>Subject: Pietenpol-List: Center section>Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2000 18:18:56 EDT>>>I have reached a point in construction where I feel like I've run off the>page of instructions. Naamely the center section. The plans ( supplemental>sheet for 3 pc wing and color photos ) show 3/8 compression struts (2)>against lower edge of spars with instructions to cut the lower edge to the>same curve as the lower edge of the rib. Question: Is this strut to be>installed with the lower edge adjacent to the ribs so the plywood >compartment>floor will attach or should this be above somewhat and the lower section be>covered with fabric? One of the 4 photos show a view from above and it>appears that there is another compression strut on either side with >vertical>cap strips and gussets. This feature is NOT shown on the supplemental plan.>I've completed most everything shown on the plans. Now I'm on my own.>HELP>Corky in La>>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Center sectionCan anyone give me a little guidance with the compression struts on the centersection. I have dry assembled the pieces and fabricated the metal parts but fromthe three piece wing supplement I'm having trouble understanding how the lowerbolt in the aileron pully fitting gets a nut on the back of it since wherethe bolt goes through the spar the 3/8 by 1-3/4" compression strut is on theback side. Also the steel wing attach fitting looks as though it interfereswith the compression strut at the top as well. Does anyone have a nice clearphoto of theirs? Usually once I look at the plans enough times things make sense... This one hasme a little stymied. Scott Knowlton________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Scott, it's been a long time since I did that, and I have no idea where myplans are now, but I recall being stumped by the same problem. Here is apicture of my centersection construction that might give you a clue as towhat I did. I know I modified the design of the fittings to clear thatbolt. My centersection is also 6" wider than plans to allow more room forfuel.Hope this helps,Jack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Raleigh NC-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Scott, it's been a long time since I did that, and I have no idea where myplans are now, but I recall being stumped by the same problem. Here is apicture of my centersection construction that might give you a clue as towhat I did. I know I modified the design of the fittings to clear thatbolt. My centersection is also 6" wider than plans to allow more room forfuel.Hope this helps,Jack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Raleigh NC-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: "Scott Knowlton "
See what you mean. How about moving the butt rib 3/8 in. closer to the butt joint and put the compression strut where the rib is currently located? Anyone see anything that would cause the airplane to explode if this were done?----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: pietflyr(at)bellsouth.net
Thanks Jack. It truly amazes me how much more will jump out of a picture when you are in the process of building the same thing. I'm noticing you made both a lower and upper compression strut. I have begun thinking that I may do the same. I wish I could see the back side of your aft spar where you put the pully. There is one nut or nutsert out there to the right of the wing attach fittings all on its own. I'm thinking that may be one of your gas tank attach points which leaves me to believe you may have bolted the pulley on the same orientation as the wing attach strap. That would eliminate the one nut under the strut. In looking at Bernie's bracket to enclose the pulley I'm also wondering how the bolt head (which is on the back side of the bracket) can be there and not interfere when the bracket is attached to the spar. You'd think the bracket would need to be stood off the spar to allow clearance for the bolt which goes through the pulley. Scott

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Ask and ye shall receive:Does that help?Jack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Raleigh, NC _____

Original Posted By: "Jack"
BetterNot! Or I'm in trouble!Last pic is pretty bad but hopefully you can see whatI did with the cabane and wing panel attachments.This center is 36" wide.Clif> > Anyone see anything that would cause the airplane to explode if this were > done?________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Rick Holland
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Center section

Original Posted By: "Douwe Blumberg"
Actually I think my hand was unsteady due to a lackof double shot latte which in turn was due to aterrible lack of Franklins in my pocket. Well, actuallyour Canuck equivalent, Beavers. :-)We have a lot of beavers up here. That's why we're allso laid back.Clif>> Hey Cliff,>> The last picture is a bit blurry or did you take the picture with your > Franklin engine running...(bing-sputter-bing-sputter!) tee-hee-hee________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips"
Good morning fellow pietenpolersJust a quick question about the center section. does the 1/8" plywood bottom get bent to match the wing ribs? It only makes sense and from what I could find online that is the case but I'm wanting to make sure..... Regards,Charles B________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
YesJack PhillipsNX899JPSmith Mountain Lake, Virginia _____

Original Posted By: Jack Phillips
thanks ----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Dangerous Dave"
Scott=2C it's been a long time since I did that=2C and I have no idea where my plans are now=2C but I recall being stumped by the same problem. Here is a picture of my centersection construction that might give you a clue as to what I did. I know I modified the design of the fittings to clear that bolt. My centersection is also 6" wider than plans to allow more room for fuel.Hope this helps=2CJack PhillipsNX899JP =93Icarus Plummet=94Raleigh NC________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Center section

Original Posted By: Gene Rambo
> BetterNot! Or I'm in trouble!> > Last pic is pretty bad but hopefully you can see what> I did with the cabane and wing panel attachments.> This center is 36" wide.> > Clif> > > Campbell" > > Anyone see anything that would cause the airplane to> explode if this were done?> ________________________________________________________________________________