Pietenpol-List: New Owner

[matronics]

Original Posted By: "DJ Vegh"
Hello Group, My name is Shawn Wolk in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and am the newowner & flyer of C-FRAZ (originally CF-AUK). A 1932 built Pietenpol witha steel tube fuselage, a 1929 monocoupe tail, 31foot wing, and (since1965) an A-65 Continental. I've put seven hours on it and like itsmanners. It has a cutdown J-3 fuselage tank and only holds 9.66 USgallons. This makes flight planning real tough. (I've seen ground speedsas low as 38 MPH) The Piet used to have a wing tank but it started toleak apparently in 1970 and it was removed. I am contemplating buildingone, but figured I would ask;If there are any production tanks that may be available new or used fromother certified or homebuilt designs that fit? Or anyone have one theywant to be rid of?How much fuel do most of you other Piet flyers carry with you? I recovered the tail of this plane when I first got it. Used theHIPEC system and found it nice to work with. The wing and fuselage arestill covered in cotton. I am planning to recover the wing this winter.One thing that I am not a big fan of is that the wing struts arenon-adjustable. I have noticed that the right wing is a bit heavy, so alittle left stick is required in level flight. And there is negligiblewash on the left side of the wing as compared to the rightside. The rearstruts could have an adjustible fork end like a J-3 or PA-11 to makedialing in wash easier. Since the plane has been around so long, I haveassumed that at some point in its life it was probably correct. But over70 years it warped a bit. With the new rules in the US, I have no desire to attempt to fly toyour annual event in Broadhead (and with so little fuel onboard, flightplanning is extremely difficult). But I might drive down. Is there awebsite or add refering to dates, events, and recommended hotel/motelinfo. I know its a week before Oskkosh but thats about it. For you first flight people out there, here's my story. Afterreassembling the aircraft and inspecting it 3-4 times prop to tail (plusplenty of helpers/experts) it was ready for flight. After about a 1/2hour of taxi practice, I waited until the wind was right up the runway,about 8-10 kts. Gave her full throttle and with neutral elevator thetail came up quickly. Kept her nice and straight then glanced for momentat the ASI. At that moment (it read 65mph) I realized that it wasalready flying.Flew a couple circuits and made two of the best landings with it.(haven't quite greased it on as nice as on the first flight since) Isuspect that smoke was coming out of my ears from the concentration.Anyway it went well and now I'm quite happy with it. Shawn Wolk C-FRAZ________________________________________________________________________________

[matronics]

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
in regards to the wing tank.... my GN-1 Aircamper plans say that aTaylorcraft wing tank can be used in the center section as an aux tank. TheGN-1 center section is not very different from the Pietenpol Air Camper.The GN-1 spars are placed closer together, thats about it.I'd say try to get your hands on a T-craft tank and run a measuring stick toit to confirm. It'd give you about an extra 6 gallons.DJ VeghMesa, AZGN-1/Piet hybridwww.raptoronline.com N74DV-----Original Message-----