Original Posted By: mosnei2(at)aol.com
Subject: Pietenpol-List: more basic planning questions.I would like to achieve a wider range of useable load and climb performance without too many sacrifices. With the exception of the prop. What are the other variables to increasing useable load? Is this a horsepower only issue and what are the other variables? I realize there are a series of design compromises that accompany design changes so I was curious as where the useable comes from and how is that determined?Naturally the collective experience and insight and topic knowledge is greatly appreciated in answering one of many basic questions I have.ThanksJohn________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: more basic planning questions.
Re: Pietenpol-List: more basic planning questions.
Original Posted By: AMsafetyC(at)aol.com
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: more basic planning questions.John,Useful load is almost entirely a function of wing design, shape and size. The increased climb rate, some increase in top speed, etc. can be influenced by prop or engine HP, these are variables you can control. But the wing has a max. loading, it can carry the plane's weight (which you can control by building lighter), and other "useful" stuff like fuel and you (which you can vary), up to the max allowable for wing loading- lbs/sq.ft. Max wing loading allows for pulling G's in turns up to the limits of the category normally 3.8g's. You want more useful load, you gotta change the wing, ie. increased length, more chord width, diff shape, etc. Goggle it, and/or buy book on subject. The original Piete airfoil is "birdlike", it has a comparatively high coefficient of lift but higher drag due to it's shape results in lower landing speed but also lower cruise speed. One option you have for the wing is to buy a used wing set off of an Aeronca or SuperCub, etc., and attach this to the traditional Piete design. That is one of the beautiful things about the Piete. This will give you a diff plane design with higher loadings possible, higher cruise but normally higher landing speeds. Everything is a trade-off.Gordon ----- Original Message -----
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: more basic planning questions.John,Useful load is almost entirely a function of wing design, shape and size. The increased climb rate, some increase in top speed, etc. can be influenced by prop or engine HP, these are variables you can control. But the wing has a max. loading, it can carry the plane's weight (which you can control by building lighter), and other "useful" stuff like fuel and you (which you can vary), up to the max allowable for wing loading- lbs/sq.ft. Max wing loading allows for pulling G's in turns up to the limits of the category normally 3.8g's. You want more useful load, you gotta change the wing, ie. increased length, more chord width, diff shape, etc. Goggle it, and/or buy book on subject. The original Piete airfoil is "birdlike", it has a comparatively high coefficient of lift but higher drag due to it's shape results in lower landing speed but also lower cruise speed. One option you have for the wing is to buy a used wing set off of an Aeronca or SuperCub, etc., and attach this to the traditional Piete design. That is one of the beautiful things about the Piete. This will give you a diff plane design with higher loadings possible, higher cruise but normally higher landing speeds. Everything is a trade-off.Gordon ----- Original Message -----
Re: Pietenpol-List: more basic planning questions.
Original Posted By: AMsafetyC(at)aol.com
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: more basic planning questions.Unfortunatly, the greatest variable in achiving greater useful load is for the pilot to lose a great deal of weight. For me that would involve not drinking beer, eating ice cream or a few other things I enjoy. So we're down to increasing power, going to a C-85 or O-200 which I don't have the extra cash for. I just I can't give a ride to a 200 lb guy on a warm day.Dick N. ----- Original Message -----
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: more basic planning questions.Unfortunatly, the greatest variable in achiving greater useful load is for the pilot to lose a great deal of weight. For me that would involve not drinking beer, eating ice cream or a few other things I enjoy. So we're down to increasing power, going to a C-85 or O-200 which I don't have the extra cash for. I just I can't give a ride to a 200 lb guy on a warm day.Dick N. ----- Original Message -----