Pietenpol-List: First (and second) Flight

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:51 pm

Original Posted By: "Scott Schreiber"
Hi Guys,Here is a quick story of my first two flights. Both are very memorableoccasions......I had finished the Pietenpol at the beginning of December and had theCertificate of Airworthiness issued on the 3rd December 2006. I had to waita while for a new prop to be finished so I used my old home made prop forground runs. During the last week I carried out some high speed taxi runsalong the runway and found some temperature problems with the Corvairengine, both oil temp and cylinder head temps. I improved the baffleing andmanaged some better cooling figures. After a few high speed taxi runs theoil temp was near the high end of normal but the cylinder temps were OK. Myold prop was developing 2500 rpm static. When the new one arrived, only 2300rpm was realised. I also changed the castor angle on the tailwheel to makethe rudder more responsive on the ground. Yesterday I managed to get a fewflights down the runway with both props, all was looking good although theprop rpm was still less than I would have liked.Today dawned cool and calm so I decided the first flight was in order. I dida high speed taxi first and after that was Ok I decided it was time to fly.I applied full power and the Piet climbed gracefully into the circuit. Therpm improved a little but was still well below the power band of theCorvair. The aircraft handled well but with a need for slight left rudder tomaintain the heading. A good landing followed and I taxied back to thehangar. On the way back to the hangar the oil temp was again climbing alittle higher than I liked. I was feeling really good.After an hour or so my hangar mate asked if I was going to do anotherflight. He had missed the first one. I said yes and taxied out to the runwayagain. The outside temp had gone up a few degrees and a slight breeze hadstarted, probably only a couple of knots or so. I taxied out to runway 22(there are more out field landing areas at the end of 22 than on 04) andstarted the take off roll with just a tad of tailwind. A slow climb outfollowed with the feeling that the engine was not developing anywhere nearthe full power. The temps were starting to climb higher than normal so Imade a tight circuit and lined up for a landing on the grass beside RW 22.The airspeed was a little high over the fence so I pulled back the power andpulled the nose slightly higher to reduce the speed. The flare was a littlefast and a bounce followed. I was about to catch it with power when theengine quit. I hit the grass and with little airflow over the rudder, groundlooped the Piet into the embankment at the side of the runway. The starboardundercarriage collapsed and I got a large ding in the leading edge of thestarboard wing near the tip when it connected with the post of the electricfence along the top of the embankment. So much for a good second flight. With some help from the guys on the air field we managed to get the Pietback into the hanger on a trike trailer.Looks like I shall be buying some steel tubing for the undercarriage afterChristmas and carrying out the repair on the wing. I have enough materialsfor that.The conclusions? make sure the plane is running correctly before flying anddon't fly just to please someone else, especially in conditions that are notwhat you are happy with. I am still very happy that the first flight was successful and that the Pietflies like it should. I just need to get the correct prop sorted out and therepairs carried out and I will be a happy camper again.I have posted some pictures on my web site athttp://www.cpc-world.com/main.php?insert_file= ... rWonthaggi Australiahttp://www.cpc-world.com-- 5:39 PM________________________________________________________________________________

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 12:45 am

Original Posted By: "Peter W Johnson"
Sorry to hear about the mishap. I do want to complement you on your great photos that cleared up a few questions I had and gave me some solutions. Your method for the turtle deck stringers was great, I could see doing that allot easier than cutting all those slots and such. -Scott----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 1:32 am

Original Posted By: Michael Groah

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:09 am

Original Posted By: "Peter W Johnson"
Peter,Sorry to hear of the damage but hats off to you for your "let's get on with the repairs" attitude. Beautiful airplane.Any idea why the engine stopped?Looking forward to hearing about your repairs as they progress.GeneN502R----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:53 am

Original Posted By: Jeff Boatright

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 9:26 am

Original Posted By: AMsafetyC(at)aol.com
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: First (and second) FlightGood morning! '-)________________________________________________________________________________

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 12:48 pm

Original Posted By:

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 7:31 pm

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Nice one Harvey, I'll have to equip it for Night VFR.With regard to the engine stopping, I have been having problems with themixture at idle and I think I have let my idle setting get too low. When Ipulled back on the power the idle would have slowed the prop a lot, gettingit too slow would cause the prop/engine to stop. As I said before, don't fly unless everything is working as it should. Thereis "Experimental" and "I'll just try this!"CheersPeter.-----Original Message-----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 9:20 pm

Original Posted By: Jeff Boatright

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 8:07 am

Original Posted By: "Roman Bukolt"
Peter,Congratulations on your first and second flight.The first one confirms all your years of hard work.The second one builds character and makes you a better pilot.I know you had some temperature issues before, and I would look there foryour engine trouble.Plus most engine outs are fuel related.High CHT could cause detonation resulting in power drop (200-300 RPM less)what fuel do you use?High under cowling temps could cause vapor lock in the fuel line, startingwith a drop in engine rpm or total stop.My first flight advisor suggested a static 4 minute full power run with thetail low before of the first flight (4 minutes of full power will get youout of a lot of trouble)Your engine should perform as advertised during this test, no hightemperatures, the Pietenpol is not a fast airplane so cooling will notimprove a whole lot with airspeed.Engines cool down during cruise because they get throttled back, burn lessfuel and create less heat.Welcome to the world of test pilots!Hans________________________________________________________________________________

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:39 pm

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Hans, Shad,Thanks for the comments. I have the 8 plate cooler but have just ordered a12 plate from Clarks.CheersPeterWonthaggi Australiahttp://www.cpc-world.com-----Original Message-----

Brodhead Pietenpol Association