Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips"
10/08/2001 01:53:37 PMHi List,Well, I'm down to 2 weeks and counting. I'll be off the list for anindefinite period starting late Friday, my last day at work. We move to OHon Oct. 24. The only issue left to resolve is finding a job. Mike C. -I'll be in touch sometime after I arrive.A couple quick questions:I've been in touch with the guy who had the Piet project for sale on eBaylast week (the one that Mike Cuy posted). He had a reserve price on it,which the bidding never reached, so it's off auction & still up for sale.Since he is located in southern OH, I am very interested in possiblypurchasing this project.My question for the list - He says that he used aerolite glue as theadhesive and spar varnish as the wood finish (I presume polyurethane).First, can anyone tell me about the properties of aerolite? How does itcompare to T-88? Second, I have heard that using anything but epoxy varnishcan complicate the use of some fabric-covering adhesives? Any insights onthat?The pictures of this project look good & aside from an urge to be able tosay, I did everything myself, I think this would be a good project to takeover & would certainly save me some significant time.Thanks!Kip GardnerLaboratory ManagerOld Dominion UniversityDept. of Ocean, Earth & Atmos. Sciences, Rm. 4414600 Elkhorn Ave.Norfolk, VA 23529Ph: 757-683-5654Bumper Sticker of the Week:"Don't Drive Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly"________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Hi Kip,All I know about Aerolite is what was published in the EAA's Wood book. Itsounds like it would be OK. As for the epoxy varnish question, acceptedpractice is to put epoxy varnish over the Polyurethane in areas that mightbe exposed to fabric, such as the edges of the spars and the rib capstrips.I think this is mostly a problem if using the PolyFiber process. You couldtry putting a little PolyBrush on the varnished surfaces and see if it liftsthe varnish.Good Luck,Jack-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: "Greg Cardinal"

Original Posted By: shad bell
Kip Gardner asked about Aerolite glue...Aerolite is a two-part urea-formaldehyde gluedeveloped during WWII and used to hold togetherthe all-wood Mosquito bomber. In use, the onlyproblem with it is remembering to paint one side ofthe joint with the formaldehyde. It's colorless, soif you aren't exceedingly methodical, it is easy toforget. Some folks have put a drop or two of foodcoloring in it, so wood treated with it can be easilyrecognized.In the long run, there is some question about itsdurability, especially in hot climates. When rebuildingplanes that have baked for years in the desert sun,some people have reported that rib gussets gluedwith Aerolite can be picked off with the fingers. Itis not clear how much of a problem this is in lessextreme climates. However, the most recent editionof FAA's "Acceptable Standards and Practices"has dropped Aerolite from the list of approved glues.(Well, aside from resorcinol, they don't reallyapprove any glues, just kick the issue to other authorities.) Epoxies are now approved, withinthe limits of the usual weasel-wording.Owen Davies________________________________________________________________________________Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2001 12:28:15 -0700 (PDT)

Original Posted By:
Kip,I am a fan of the Aerolite glue. As others have said, if you put it in thedesert for a while, you might have problems but it is nice to work with aslong as the tolerances are tight. No gap filling properties.Chris Bobka - tech counselor----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Gary Gower
10/09/2001 10:36:34 AMList,Thanks for the feedback on Aerolite glue. All of my aircraft books arepacked awaiting the move, so I wasn't able to look this up on my own. Asusual, sounds like there are some definite opinions about this stuff, butbasically, it seems that there are several basic considerations:It's 'old' technology.It has some definable positives & negatives.It works when used properly.It degrades if used improperly, or is not protected from adverseenvironmental conditions.Sounds like working with wood to me....Just one concern, someone said that the catalyzer is dilute Sulfuric Acid?Is this really true? I haven't worked in labs for 20 years & not discoveredthat Sulfuric is hell on cellulose - I have more cotton clothes with holesin them than I care to think about. Any comments?Guess I'll go look at this project & make up my mindAny further comments or opinions would be appreciated, especially the kindsof stuff to look for when buying someone else's project.BTW, for anyone who cares, here is my new contact info. in OH Address: 426 Schneider Ave. NE, N.Canton, OH 44720phone: 330-494-1775Cheers!Kip GardnerLaboratory ManagerOld Dominion UniversityDept. of Ocean, Earth & Atmos. Sciences, Rm. 4414600 Elkhorn Ave.Norfolk, VA 23529Ph: 757-683-5654Bumper Sticker of the Week:"Don't Drive Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly"________________________________________________________________________________Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001 09:47:17 -0700 (PDT)

Original Posted By: Doug413(at)aol.com
10/11/2001 05:48:14 PMHi List,Tomorrow is my last day at work & my last day on the list until I getmoved. I'm sure looking foreward to getting this over with!Just curiosity, has anyone heard any news of William Wynne & does anyonehave any info on the status of the crash investigation?Also, Mike Cuy, are you still grounded? Anyone else? I sure hope they canget this airspace thing cleared up soon. I checked the EAA web siteyesterday & it sounds like at least they are trying to get everyone'sconcerns heard & have been proposing some good ideas for getting therestrictions lifted.Ya'll don't start anything unruly on the list while I'm off!Cheers!Kip Gardner (who won't be able to say 'Ya'll' much longer - any of youYankees know what the plural of Ya'll is? Bet Corky knows!)Laboratory ManagerOld Dominion UniversityDept. of Ocean, Earth & Atmos. Sciences, Rm. 4414600 Elkhorn Ave.Norfolk, VA 23529Ph: 757-683-5654Bumper Sticker of the Week:"Don't Drive Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly"________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Tom & Michelle Brant"

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Hi Tom,I don't know for certain, not having flown mine yet, but I expect it to besomewhat similar to the J-3 Cub I used to own. (assuming you are flyingbehind a Continental A-65). I used to figure on 4 gallons an hour for fuel,and perhaps a quart of oil every 5 hours. At today's prices, that equatesto about $11 per hour for gas and oil. Insurance is expensive because it isa homebuilt. I checked with Avemco at Sun'n'Fun and they told me that Icould expect to pay a little over $1,000 per year for liability and hullinsurance (flight and ground). I'll get the liability, but I think I'llskip the hull insurance - that's more than I'm paying for my Cessna 140,insured at twice the value of the Piet.Annual inspections should be pretty cheap since you can do them yourself.Hangar rent varies all over the place. At the airport where I fly, hangarscost $75 a month, if you can get one. I've been on the waiting list forthree years and am getting near the top of the list.I doubt you could find a much cheaper airplane to fly than a Pietenpol.Jack-----Original Message-----