Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Ted Tuckerman"
Dear List, Is anyone flying a Piet with the long fuselage, who extended the front a fewinches, and is using a Continental 65hp for power? After looking at a lot ofPiets and reading list opinions, I added 6 inches to the front of my fuse. (Which I can cut off later if it turns out to be a mistake). Anyway, before Ipermanently attach my wood landing gear w/motorcycle wheels, I would like toknow for sure where the center of the axle should be in relation to the firewall.One of the list members, a few weeks ago, said that the center of the wheelshould be back 21" from the firewall on the long fuse. The note said somethingabout a PhD, so with respect, I've got mine ready to go - 21" back fromwhere the ORIGINAL firewall would have been. Opinions would be very welcome. Thanks. Dave Paulsen - Missouri ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Robert Haines"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Long fuseIn a message dated 2/15/04 12:20:12 PM Central Standard Time, dpaul(at)fidnet.com writes:>Dave, The axle placement is a measurement from the firewall, but it's relationship is to the wing - on a taildragger, it's usually about 16% or 17% chord,behind the leading edge. The front 6" extension you have will greatly reduce the possibility of needing to move your wing back from vertical, to get the C.G. correct - especially if you weigh over 200 lbs. On the 'Improved AirCamper', short fuse, the axle is 17" aft of datum (firewall), and the wing leading edge is 7 1/2" aft of datum. This puts the axle16% aft of the leading edge. On my short fuse, I moved the wing back 3 1/2", which puts the axles at 6" or 10% aft of the leading edge, but I have brakes and it reduces the possibility of nose over. However, I never use the brakes to slow down the landing roll...only use them to do a run - up, and for taxiing in tight quarters. On the 'Long fuselage', 3" is added to the forward station. Assuming the wing is in the plans location, 21 inches behind this firewall location puts the axle at 10 1/2" behind the wing leading edge, which is 1" farther back thanthe plans call out, and is close to the aft limit of axle placement...unless you tilt the cabane struts and move your wing aft, but then you already have that 6" fuse extension...Chuck G.________________________________________________________________________________