Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Isablcorky(at)aol.com
Just to let everyone know that with all my complaining about the rudder bar, Ihad to do something. Thought of putting my heels in "sturrups" to ride with thebar, but would be hard getting to the brakes. Besides it's uncomfortable.Desided to build the mod around the fact that I like to keep my heels on the deckand use the rudder with my flipper feet.So I picked a design and went with it,,,,I tried by putting some tubing cut togive a rectangle above the rudder bar that my toes could push on. This broughtthe top of the tube to about where the forward rudder pedals are. Made them3" wide, and about 3 1/2" high, starting about 1" in from the center line holeof the cable connecting point on the end of the tube. This wouldn't interferewith the stops, or the seat, or anything.Anyway, if anyone wants more details, I'll send it to you.Now I can feel the rudders with my toes, and the landings are not a mystery, wonderingif I'll make it OK. Now I have much better feel of the plane, and controlon landing."My toes were trained,,,my legs were not"I'm happy as a clam.walt evansNX140DL________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Gene Rambo"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: modified the rudder bar with GREAT resultsGreat to hear this news. There had to be a better way. Was always taught to keep those heels on the floor and you can't with that rudder bar as designed.Corky________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By:
well, if you learned in a nose (training) wheel with toe brakes it was "keepyour heels on the floor." If you learned in a tailwheel, it was "keep yourheels off the floor and toes on the rudder.";) Gene----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "w b evans"
I wouldn't mind getting your plans on this... I may make the very samemodification.Tom BrantBrooklyn Park, MN----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: clif

Original Posted By: "w b evans"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: modified the rudder bar with GREAT resultsGene,My memory is getting real bad but I'm sure the instructor make me keep my heels on the floor AWAY from those aeronca heel brakes and it was if my memoryserves me correctly a tail wheel airplane. I certainly could be wrong.Corky, back in La again________________________________________________________________________________