Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Douwe Blumberg"
Even without the need for my rebuild, I know I spent significantly more thanif this had been my second project, or third. I'll bet I should shave 1/3rdoff my costs if I did another one.Remember though, that the total cost really doesn't matter much in the endas this project will be spread out over many years, and the money seems togo out in "chunks" which are separated by months of just building. I agree with a lot of the others in that it could probably been done forunder 15k.Here are some suggestions for keeping costs down. 1. A latex paint job will save more than $1500 over polyfiber, dope orstewarts, that's a bit chunk right there2. building wire wheels up ends up being expensive, unless you can lacewheels yourself. Save a chunk there and go with some salvaged airplanedonut wheels.3. Don't scrimp on any hardware or wood, that stuff doesn't make a hugedifference and is what holds the plane together, and your butt in the air.4. You really can find good engine deals, just don't start looking atthe last minute, save your money and then start searching barnstormers andput the word out here, and you'll be surprised what shows up.5. Don't look at is as building a plane per say. break it up intosmaller projects like, build a bunch of ribs, then build a wing, then builda fuselage etc, etc, etc, and one day you'll walk into the shop and the "todo" list will be empty.6. Have fun. if you're not having fun and enjoying the process, why doit? You can purchase a finished piet pretty easy.Good luck! Douwe________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
My $15,000 was spaced over the 8 years it took me to build my Pietenpol,which averaged to $36 a week. The biggest single outlay was $3200 for newcylinders for the engine. Most outlays were on the order of a couplehundred dollars and were easily handled. I like to tell people that I spentthe same money on this airplane that a 2-pack a day smoker would have spenton cigarettes in the same time frame.I agree completely with Douwe about scrimping on the hardware or the wood.The total cost of wood (all aircraft grade Sitka Spruce) in mine was justunder $1,100, or less than 10% of the total cost of the airplane. If I cutthat cost in half, and used other woods the plane would have been heavier,possibly not as strong or as able to withstand turbulence and my badlandings, and still would have cost $14,500. It is simply not worth thesavings to me.Aircraft grade hardware is expensive. It is also very high quality. Thelast thing you want is to be up in the air in the roughest turbulence you'veever been in, wondering if those bolts that hold your wing on are going tofail."The sour smell of poor quality lingers on long after the sweet taste of lowprice is forgotten". Remember whose butt is going to be riding in thiscreation of yours.Jack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Raleigh, NC _____