Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Charles Waldo
Hello DouweThank you very much for your input.I wasn't aware about those builders in Florida, and for sure I would like to knowmore about their fuselages.I've found a aircraft which have my demanded riveted fuselage, but it's a biplane(german Kiebitz ) as well, but I would prefer to have a parasol like the Pietenpol.As the weight is an issue, at least here at France, and I would like to registerit here in our 2 seater ultralight class MTOW 1041.6lbs incl parachute and PAX.This is the reason why I would prefer to have a Piet or look a like that's as lightas possible.And to get there, I belive that the riveted Aluminium tube system is the way togo.And by the way, to rivet the airframe together is within reach of almost everybuilder.I've been following the Airdrome Aeroplanes for some while and even wrote to Mr.Baslee, but the price he asked for a Parasol was out of my reach, for that priceI could buy a LSA, but as I'm not Bill Gates, I'll have to find an homebuildingsolution.Bst rgdsErkkiRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2011 09:26:28 -0400Subject: Pietenpol-List: Sun N Fun Visit

Original Posted By: "Bill Church"
Hi Erkki,Welcome to the list. As to someone designing an XXL fuselage for a Piet, I amsure that it could be done but as to having the finished airplane weigh in at480-500 lbs empty would be nearly impossible in my opinion. Even the lightestPietenpols on the list here, built according to the plans, weigh in at 585 lbsor so, and up to as much as 730 lbs empty. The engines commonly used on Pietenpolshere commonly weigh 200-250 lbs. Lighter engine packages can cause significantproblems with weight and balance issues. If the engine you choose weighs200 lbs, that leaves you only 280-300 lbs for the rest of the airframe,instruments, covering, control systems, etc. I have read that the finished andcovered wing weighs over 100lbs alone. It doesn't seem that the Pietenpolwill fit into your weight requirements to be registered as an ultralight in yourcountry. I wish you luck in finding a 2 place airplane that will meet yourrequirements for both pilot size and aircraft empty weight.--------Billy McCaskillUrbana, ILtail section almost done, starting on ribs soonRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: View Questions, Fuselage Construction and so on....

Original Posted By: helspersew(at)aol.com
Erkki,Like Billy said, enlarging the Pietenpol slightly would not be the biggest challenge- but keeping the weight under 500 pounds will. Increasing the design bysay 5% overall would probably result in sufficient extra room to accommodatea larger pilot, but the extra size will also result in the need for a more powerfulmotor (= even more weight).What you need to do is move to Canada. :)Here in Canada, we may register a plans-built Pietenpol as a Basic Ultralight,provided the take-off weight is 1200 pounds (544kg) or less. The "catch" is thatthe only way two people can ever fly in a Basic Ultralight is if both occupantshold a U/L pilot's license (or if the pilot has an U/L instructor's ratingand the aircraft is being used for training).Unfortunately, I don't think there's any easy answer to your request. Maybe ifyou fill the wings with helium...Bill C.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: View Questions, Fuselage Construction and so on....

Original Posted By: Bill Church
I think I heard of someone in the past even filling ping pong balls with helium. Their size and shape make it easy to fit inside all hollow places inside the fuse and wings.Dan HelsperPuryear, TN-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: Charles Waldo
Charles,You are welcome, I enjoyed talking Piets with you and your son. Thanks again forthe computer generated Piet you gave me, it will be on my shop wall as soonas I can make a frame for it.I dont remember who was in the shop when you were there, is he in the attachedpic by Jim Scroggins? From L to R, myself, Art, Dick, Dave, and Randy.Skip----- Original Message -----