Original Posted By: "Clif Dawson"
I know I'm not the only Aero-News reader in this group... this was intoday's edition. Maybe it'll take a little of the edge off the lack ofcoverage in Sport Aviation --------------------http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?Cont ... 3feAero-TV: Profiles in Aviation - Rob Bach and His PietenpolMon, 14 Sep '09Vintage Aircraft Enthusiast Rob Bach Introduces the Pietenpol Air CamperFollowing World War I, civil aviation experienced an extraordinary surge inpublic curiosity that ignited pilots, mechanics and enthusiasts alike.Hundreds rushed to participate in this "Golden Age of Aviation," leading toa tremendous increase in technological advancements. One such participantwas Bernard H. Pietenpol, a self-taught airplane designer from Spring ValleyCherry Grove, Minnesota.Considered the "Father of Homebuilt Aircraft," Pietenpol constructed hisfirst homebuilt airplane in 1923, using a Ford Model T engine. He did not,however, gain world-wide recognition until April of 1930; Pietenpol set outfor Minneapolis with two Ford Model A powered airplanes in order to prove tothe editor of Modern Mechanics, now Popular Mechanics, that an auto enginepowered aircraft could indeed fly.The editor was so impressed by the aircraft that the Pietenpol Air Camperwas featured as the magazine's cover story. With the increased exposure,the airplane became the favorite homebuilt of its day.Pietenpol intentionally designed the aircraft with the "average 1930'sAmerican" in mind; all materials used were readily available in local storesand the aircraft could be easily built with a minimum amount of tools.The aircraft was constructed from spruce and plywood, powered by a convertedFord Model A 4 cylinder engine. Due to the downward thrust of thepropeller, the aircraft had a short take off run, allowing the "Golden Age"pilots to fly it from most off-airport fields.FMI: http://www.pietenpols.org/, http://www.aero-tv.net,http://www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNewsMike WhaleyMerlinFAC(at)cfl.rr.com________________________________________________________________________________