Original Posted By: "Dick N."
Subject: Pietenpol-List: 10 years ago, 1999: 70th Anniversary of the PietenpolAir CamperI know I've posted this before but Lowell Frank and Bill Rewey were with us whenwe flew SEVENTEEN Pietenpols from Hartford, WI intoOshkosh on Runway 18L. (the taxiway turned runway for the event) There was asouthwest crosswind and a DC-3 tookoff from 18Rand his propwash upset on of our group upon landing, damaging his airplane. Ican't think of the gents name off hand but he was from MO. I don't recall the hubbub that ensued but know he ended up having to trailer hisplane home. Something like this where they will dog a guy who is totally competent to belittlehim to get some dual and a sign off in tailwheels afterthousands of hours (in type even) is irritating when you KNOW that there are allkinds of accidents that go unreported--some I've seenat my home base where the airplane is quietly put away in the hangar. Some ofthose accidents should be investigated though becauseof incompetency or poor maintenance but the FAA can't differentiate I guess andhave to put everyone thru the meat grinder if it bea whoopsie or your medical getting reinstated. Years ago a pair of guys from a nearby grass airport went up to the Lake Erie Islands,bought a case of wine and flew it back--drinkingall the way. They overshot the runway in the Cessna Cardinal and went acrossa road, shearing off both wings between two trees. Theygot the airport Ford 8N out, dragged the mess back to the hangar and locked thedoors. Those are the kinds of guys who need somewrist slaps. ________________________________________________________________________________