Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Earnest Bunbury
Mike,Thank you for that elegant reply. I followed the rudder bar thread yesterday andwas concerned that things were getting a little testy. This forum is so muchmore civil than some I have followed, and left.I think it is important that you pointed out Mike Perez's background. There isno substitute for actual hands on experience, feeling the materials and knowingtheir limitations. This forum represents a lot of talent. I know becauseI have seen some of the flying examples up close.Jon Coxwell--------Jon Coxwell GN-1 BuilderRecycle and preserve the planetRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 22:39:29 -0500Subject: Pietenpol-List: Oscar's articles

Original Posted By: Doug Dever
Thanks to all who commented on my article on Continental engines.I love these engines and I love to write, so it was an easy andfun piece to research and write about. I also fly behind one ofthese engines, so it's more than just a labor of love... it's sortof like a marriage in that I depend on my engine, I have to trustit, care for it, and respect its limitations and weaknesses. Andobviously, it relies on me for its care and attention.To those who have a leaning towards, or away from, certified "real"aircraft engines or converted automobile engines, let me just saythat these are all just machines that are made by humans using othermachines and materials. They have strengths and weaknesses. WhatI have found about the Continentals that we use on our airplanes isthat the vast majority of them have been around for a very long timeand very few of them have an impeccable service history. Even withall the logbooks and the proper pedigree, very few of them areexactly in the form that their certification requires. There willbe a technical article coming up in our EAA Chapter 35 newsletterby my friend R.B. "Doc" Hecker, in collaboration with A&P Mark Julicher(who did the last annual on my Piet and who loves these old airplanesas much as anyone I've met), about just how spooky the inside ofsome of these engines can be. When the article comes out, I'llpost the link here for the benefit of others.The article will have all the makings of a good mystery novel:good intentions gone bad, things going 'bump' in the night (daytime,in this case), lots of money, vile cursing, and surprises atevery twist and turn. The culprits are found and brought tojustice, but getting there isn't pretty and lives hung in thebalance ;o)Oscar ZunigaAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"San Antonio, TXwebsite at http://www.flysquirrel.net ________________________________________________________________________________