Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: ANNCARLEK(at)aol.com
John,Your description of the takeoff phase could apply to my a/c, also.I can shove the stick ahead as I open the throttle and the tail comes up right away, the a/c accelerates quickly and soon becomes air-borne. Like your airplane, its best climb rate speed is 65 mph IAS.Normally, I don't go for the best R. of C., but climb at 70 mph IAS in-stead. This yields almost as good a climb rate and the extra airspeed is "money in the bank" with a draggy airplane, should the engine de-cide to take the rest of the day off.It is interesting how these two aircraft behave in a very similar fashion,regardless of the altitude difference. And it would be interesting to hearfrom other Pietenpol owners regarding landing and takeoff characteris-tics.Cheers,Graham________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Graham Hansen"
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Original Posted By: "John Dilatush"
John,Just did my W&B few months ago, and got inspection few weeks ago. Builtonly to plans with long fuse and A-65.Weight is 595# empty.Might account for the 650 fpm climb at about 60 IAS on climbout.walt----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Richard Navratril"
John,When I recovered my Pietenpol in 1985, I tried to pare someweight from it by substituting synthetic fabric for the original Grade A cotton covering with its hand-rubbed doped finish. Alightweight tailwheel was also installed, resulting in a 15 poundreduction in the empty weight. Originally, it weighed 645 lbs.with an A65 - 8 and the new empty weight came out at 630 lbs.with a C85 - 8. The finish isn't what it used to be, but I did save some weight.Since then, I have installed a C85 - 12 engine sans electricsand some very lightweight seat cushions. The -12 engine is abit heavier than the -8 and the cushions may weigh about 4 lbs.,so my EW now is close to 640 lbs.The other three Piets I have flown were all heavier than mine, but all flew and handled very similarly. At our elevation (2500ft. asl), the 65 hp ones didn't climb very well on hot days with a passenger. Installing an 85 hp engine gives a reserve of power and a decent climb rate. (In the winter, 65 hp was OK; it was onthose hot summer days the performance suffered.)Cheers,Graham ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By:
DanI will actually be building 2 wing tanks and 2 - 2 gal fuse reserve tanks.I have 2 piet projects underway.Dick----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy