Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Jake Crause"
My spruce for the modernized Piet has finally arrived up here in Bethel, AK andI'll be laying up the jigs over the next week or so. At the time I ordered 1/8"90 degree birch for the gussets. I now wonder if I should have ordered 45degree. Any problem using 90 degree vs. 45 degree? If so, could I cut the plywoodon the bias and in effect create 45*/45* gussets (ply-wise that is).Second question. I read a post that scared me yesterday. The person asked ifthe spars were different on the 3-pc vs. 1-pc wing. I bought Charle's 1-pc ribset (I was thinking weight at the time). I'm now going with the three piece.I don't have the plans in front of me today. Please tell me I haven't screwedup big time.StacyThere is only one greater thing than to believe in the impossible...and that isto achieve it -- Stacy Clark________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Stacy Clark
Stacy,I used 90 degree on all gussets. ( 1/8" for fuse,,,1/16" for wing rib)walt evansNX140DL ----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Stacy Clark
90 degree gussets work well all over the plane.Charlie Rubeck's ribs are appropriate for either 1 piece or 3 piece wings.Greg CardinalMinneapolis ----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Larry Nelson"
The drawings are vague enough to allow"personal interpretation".If it looks remotely like a Pietenpol it willbe warmly welcomed at Brodheadand you can display it with pride.Don't get too hung up on "Pietenpol Purity".Everybody has their own definition.Greg CardinalMinneapolis----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By:
I agree, take for instance the engine cowl for a A-65,,,there is not asingle,, solitary,, one that is the same as anyone elses!walt evansNX140DL----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Ron Hargrove
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Where do I get the spruce?RonI got an Air Camper spruce kit from AS for $806. Took a month to get the order but the wood is real nice.Rick HollandOk guys, I finally got my plans, and while I am studying them for awhile, Iwas wondering if I could get some input on where to get the sitka spruce, oreven better, where NOT to get the wood? Also, does anyone out there have aslightly used builders manual they would be willing to part with at areasonable price? Or is it available online somewhere?Many thanks,Ron________________________________________________________________________________Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2004 18:13:37 -0400

Original Posted By: KTS5TA6(at)wmconnect.com
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Where do I get the spruce?Ron I got an Air Camper spruce kit from AS for $806. Took a month to getthe order but the wood is real nice.Rick Holland Ok guys, I finally got my plans, and while I am studying them for awhile, Iwas wondering if I could get some input on where to get the sitka spruce, oreven better, where NOT to get the wood? Also, does anyone out there have aslightly used builders manual they would be willing to part with at areasonable price? Or is it available online somewhere?Many thanks,Ron________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "James Dallas"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Question about heritageLarry:This was my first trip to Brodhead and it won't be my last. I have a GN-1 and a Pietenpol project and I didn't catch flak from either side when I was talking to people at Brodhead. I met a bunch of really swell people last month.I suspect there could have been a few sourpusses and "purists" in the group, (although I didn't personally encounter any) but sourpusses are in the minority. 99% of the folks at Brodhead in my opinion were open minded. Did yousee the Subaru powered Pietenpol? It probably drew the biggest crowd of any airplanethere, Jenny included. I guess some folks would not call it a Pietenpol because the builder deviated from the plans, but what is important is the guy whobuilt it was totally pleased with what his end result was. And I came away veryimpressed about Corvair powered Air Campers. (Just don't tell Ralph Nader, the biggest sour puss of them all!)We formed TACO (Texas Air Camper Organization) down here in Texas and we are open to anyone, Grega guys or Pietenpol guys, and we don't care if you are making a wood or tube fuselage. Hey, this is America, let freedom ring! Sourpusses are like those guys back in our high school days who either were Chevyguys or Ford guys. We feel if you are a guy (or gal) flying a wood and fabric airplane you are pretty cool despite what it is powered with and despite if youfollowed plans to the infinite degree. We don't make fun of anyone flying a Fordengine, Corvair, or Continental. If the powerplant gets you airborne and can keep you in the sky safely, more "power" to you. Bernard Pietenpol was a true "experimenter" and fiddled with engines other than the old Ford powerplant. And we don't mean to belittle the folks who want to follow Bernard's design to the exact nut and bolt. That's fine too. Come down and visit us sometime, we aren't clannish, we just like all folks who like old looking airplanes! Whenever our Big Burrito (TACO President TerryBowden) throws another bash, you won't have to hide in our woods, even if you show up in a Spam can, although you might get some gentle ribbing about owning a Spam Can. This group down south will be real happy to see you and yourbuddies.Sterling Brooks (TACO LOCO)Knot-2-Shabby Airport & Texas Longhorn Cattle Ranch5TA6, San Antonio SectionalNOTAMS... Fresh Cowchips on runway, land at your own risk.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Larry Nelson
Larry, Build your airplane to suit you. There are so many different variations,the hard core pureists can't rag us all down. Mister Pietenpol himself usedabout every engine there was. Long fuselages versus short, Flop or no flop...maybea cutout, one piece wing or three piece, Spring gear or bunji....betteryet strait axle. The key is to have fun. I recommend Mike Cuy's video andspending a lot of time at DJ's web site. Both have a lot of useful info.Jim DallasBenton Ks ----- Original Message -----