Talkeetna
Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 4:39 am
Original Posted By: "Richard Navratil"
Subject: Talkeetna> Mike,> I read your message on the Piet List. I don't know of any scouts for> sale, but will ask around and let you know if I find anything.> > I have read Don Sheldon's books and considered him a real hero. Is> Roberta Reeve Sheldon still living in Talkeetna? Her father, Bob > Reeve,is from our little town (The depot in town is dedicated to > his father.)> > Dick Hartwig> Waunakee WI>Dear Mr. Hartwig,I appreciate your offer to keep an eye open for a Scout. They are quite rare, comparedto theAircamper. I like the Scout for several reasons: A. It was designed after theAircamper and embodies refinements based on experience. B. It can be built verylight. The original plans state that it is heavier than necessary. C. Thespars can be routed from 12 foot blanks (with a short splice near the tip).The 1.9 liter Ford, operated direct drive at an RPM suitable for a slow airplaneis only capable of about 32 honest horsepower. This is not sufficient to carrytwo aloft with safe performance margins.There is really no substitute for displacement. The original "T" engine was about3 liters, and the"A" engine almost 3.4 liters.Getting scalded with hot coolant after a rough landing was a common injury sufferedby early Pietenpol pilots. The radiator had to be mounted high for the thermo-siphonsystem to work. I hope to eliminate this hazard.Roberta is still alive and well in Talkeetna. She has written books on the subjectsof Alaska history and gold mining lore. One of her daughters is very interestedin flying and family history. I've been working with her on Supercuband mountain operations. I flew for them for many years and now have a small,country machine shop - - mostly repair and modification work on mining equipment,riverboats, etc.Best regards, Mike Fisher ________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Talkeetna> Mike,> I read your message on the Piet List. I don't know of any scouts for> sale, but will ask around and let you know if I find anything.> > I have read Don Sheldon's books and considered him a real hero. Is> Roberta Reeve Sheldon still living in Talkeetna? Her father, Bob > Reeve,is from our little town (The depot in town is dedicated to > his father.)> > Dick Hartwig> Waunakee WI>Dear Mr. Hartwig,I appreciate your offer to keep an eye open for a Scout. They are quite rare, comparedto theAircamper. I like the Scout for several reasons: A. It was designed after theAircamper and embodies refinements based on experience. B. It can be built verylight. The original plans state that it is heavier than necessary. C. Thespars can be routed from 12 foot blanks (with a short splice near the tip).The 1.9 liter Ford, operated direct drive at an RPM suitable for a slow airplaneis only capable of about 32 honest horsepower. This is not sufficient to carrytwo aloft with safe performance margins.There is really no substitute for displacement. The original "T" engine was about3 liters, and the"A" engine almost 3.4 liters.Getting scalded with hot coolant after a rough landing was a common injury sufferedby early Pietenpol pilots. The radiator had to be mounted high for the thermo-siphonsystem to work. I hope to eliminate this hazard.Roberta is still alive and well in Talkeetna. She has written books on the subjectsof Alaska history and gold mining lore. One of her daughters is very interestedin flying and family history. I've been working with her on Supercuband mountain operations. I flew for them for many years and now have a small,country machine shop - - mostly repair and modification work on mining equipment,riverboats, etc.Best regards, Mike Fisher ________________________________________________________________________________