Pietenpol-List: Wood Prop & Rain

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Original Posted By: clif
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Wood Prop & RainOK, here is another flying story, during my Big Adventure: On the second leg of my return trip from Oshkosh, Sat. 8/2, enroute from Iowa Co. Wisconsin (MRJ) to Mount Pleasant, Iowa (MPZ)...what turned out to beone of the longer legs of my trip - 3 1/2 hours in the seat !! I was faced with a beautiful panoramic view of the Mighty Mississippi River about 5 stretching to 10 miles or more, out in front of me. Words simply cannot portraythis type of scenery. I was in 'The Zone', with thoughts of how our civilization has progressed, and altered the scenery from how it must have lookedbefore humans were on earth. Holding the stick between my thumb and fingers, it was a little bit bumpy, but my reflexes became used to letting 'er just ride it out, instead of correcting for every bump. The earth was slowly slipping about1000 feet below my trusty wings, when all of a sudden...BAM !! Something smacked me right on the forehead !! I thought a bolt or something fell off theengine, when I noticed the drops of water crawling up my windscreen. My thoughts instantly went to how rain can 'sandblast' a wood prop into a uselesspiece of frayed wood. As I instantly rolled into a steep right bank & haul back on the stick, my being was searching for any slight vibration, with thoughts of the prop eroding into an out of balance block of hard wood, then shaking the engine loose from the airframe, then becoming WAY tail heavy, I would spin in,and that would be that. I was ready to shut 'er down, if any serious vibrationwould be felt. After completing a 180 turn, it lasted what seemed like an eternity, but actually maybe another 30 seconds. Drops were still on the windscreen, but they just stayed there...no more crawlers. I was out of the rain.Decision time. Go back to Iowa Co. Airport, or see if I can pick my way through. Raising each wing tip, I could see what I was in. Towering cumulus tothe South, where I could see the showers under a portion of them, but directlywest looked like a wide path, judging by how the sun was shining on the earth. I picked up a westerly heading for the 10 mile wide path cut in the clouds. Approaching the Mighty Miss again, I always climb an extra 1000 feet, just in case the engine conks out. Engines always seem to have a way of sputtering when crossing a large body of water, or a forest. On this occasion, she neverskipped a beat !! After crossing the Miss, I just had to fly along the West shore for a little while, just to take it all in. What a magnificent river !!Way off course now, I had to locate my position with the chart I had strapped on my lap board. This wasn't too difficult, because there are numerous landmarks to refer to, and the ol' Piet just isn't fast enough to get lost...well,almost...but that's another story. The rest of this leg consisted of picking my way through the high clouds, enjoying every moment, and maintaining my position with my finger on the chart. Chuck G.NX770CGlogged 29.3 hours during my Big Adventure !!________________________________________________________________________________Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2003 00:14:51 -0700

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Original Posted By:
Chuck G., great story. Keep it going. I want to hear all about the full 29hours in the air.Alex S.----- Original Message -----

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Original Posted By: Carbarvo(at)aol.com
Chuck, Great story, no excuses when I get home from work today, I'm going todo something on the Piet.Skip________________________________________________________________________________

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Original Posted By: Dave and Connie
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Wood Prop & RainChuck...I love it! C Vought________________________________________________________________________________Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2003 18:43:42 -0500

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Original Posted By: "Dave and Connie"
Dave,I don't know where you live but I am driving an empty car back from CT toMinneapolis sometime in October/early November. I could get this stuff fromRetsof west for you.Chris bobka----- Original Message -----

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Original Posted By: Dave and Connie

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Original Posted By:
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Original Posted By: "Alex Sloan"
Carrollton airport is about 400 feet outside the 30 mile mode C ring, butall the grass strips (including mine) is just inside the ring. Probably willstart out without electrical, but am putting wires out the wing beforecovering, just in case I change my mind later.bed----- Original Message -----

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Original Posted By: Rcaprd(at)aol.com
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Wood Prop & RainIn a message dated 8/20/03 7:46:03 AM Central Daylight Time, dilatush(at)amigo.net writes:>John, Yes, you sure can print it !! I would be honored to have it printed in your newsletter. One thing I forgot to mention about the prop. Upon landing, I closely inspected the prop for any sign of damage. The only thing I found wasthat the Ace Spar Varnish on just the very leading edge had a matt finish to it...that's all !! Hey...maybe I have a writing career ahead. from trees & rags,to stick & rudder !!Pietenpols Forever !!Chuck Gantzer________________________________________________________________________________

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Original Posted By: dpilot
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Pietenpol Reunion this Weekend in OhioIn a message dated 8/20/03 7:21:02 AM Central Daylight Time, Michael.D.Cuy(at)grc.nasa.gov writes:>Mike,Let's see...three days to get there, two days full of Pietenpol entertainment, three days to get back. I sure wish I had more time off at work!! Sounds like a great time ! However, I will be flying up to Blakesburg, Iowa, next weekend. And I'm REALLY looking forward to next summer, when WE ALL must flyto the 75th Aniversery of our beloved deisign, and blacken the skies of Brodhead '04 with Pietenopls !!!!!!Chuck G.________________________________________________________________________________Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2003 03:40:03 -0700 (PDT)

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Original Posted By:
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Original Posted By: Richard Schreiber

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Original Posted By: "Lauritz Larsen"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Wood Prop & RainIn a message dated 8/21/03 6:56:01 AM Central Daylight Time, dilatush(at)amigo.net writes:>John,Thanks in advance ! My address:Chuck Gantzer626 PattieWichita, KS 67211________________________________________________________________________________