Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "D. Engelkenjohn"
Wondering if anyone has ever had the experience of their pilot seat frame memberscracking. I'm not THAT fat (200 lbs)... I just installed the pilot seat lastweek and I was sitting in it trying to get a feel for how the front seatbackwould be layed out. Each time I sat, I heard a small creak. I thought maybeit was the workbench but I figured I'd look around. Found out it was one ofthe inner structural members of the seat. Didn't crack at the glue line (proofthat the glue is stronger than the wood) it split about 1/8" from the glueline, right down the grain. What I think may be the cause is that there is solittle support for the wood at that point, other than the glue on the ply andend grain. So, If I remove the member, what's a good way to do it without ruining the seat.I thought I might just pry the split section appart, apply some epoxy in thecrack and clamp together. Then add a plywood gusset beneath the back framemember and the 4 other members, tying them all together. Any opions here?Also, wondering if others are using T88 as filler on occassion where small gapsin joints appear or where plywood gussets are held down. I've come accross afew situations where the plywood, although I staple it down, leaves a small gap(1/16" or so). Wondering if filling this void is acceptable.And lastly, any people here fly around the West Virginia mountainous areas? I'mplanning a trip later in the summer and could use some feedback on my plans.If so, contact me directly at tmbrant(at)usfamily.netThanks!Tom BrantBrooklyn Park, MN________________________________________________________________________________Date: Wed, 04 Jun 2003 19:45:02 -0500

Original Posted By: Kip & Beth Gardner

Original Posted By: "D. Engelkenjohn"

Original Posted By: cat_designs(at)juno.com
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: pilot seat and other ramblings...

Original Posted By: Mel Martinez

Original Posted By:
The Piet I fly sounds just like what hjasd been written. A-65 powered 31' oversizewingspan with steel tube fuselage and monocoupe tail. cruise and flat out are basically the same. It climbs at 2125 rpm, flat outis 2250 rpm at 71-73 mph, and throttling back to 2200 seems to make no differenceto the speed. Climb is 300-350 fpm and I've found best climb around 58-64mph. It's wonderful to fly in the morning or evening, and during the thermalsof the day a handful. I recently went flying about one hour after a strong systempassed over with more cumulus forming. And found it to be a white knuckle,attention getter. 200 ft altitude bounces both wats were the norm. But the flyingin smooth calm air makes it all worth it. I also find that landing the Piet well is a challenge. If I come in withoutpower, the flair must be perfect. Otherwise it will slow down instantaneouslyand drop. I usually fly final at 55-60 mph with 1500 rpm right to the flair. OnceI am level in the flair power is removed fast or slow depending on how highthe flair was and the stick pulled back. I have inadvertently done some nicewheel landings by not pulling back on the stick fast enough and it just rolledout on the mains. Shawn Wolk C-FRAZ________________________________________________________________________________