Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Larry Vetter"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Modifications as the result of operational experience> > Ive made several changes to Fat Bottom Girl over the last several months andhave promised updates. Here they are:> > Wood Struts> The original wood struts have Douglas Fir tops and bottoms sandwiching aircraftplywood. I bought them from a friend. I noticed signs of > delamination between the fir and the plywood on all the struts at > around the 250 hour mark. The worst delamination was on the left > rear strut, which I used as a support point for loading passengers. > Im pretty sure the guy who built the struts used T-88 but I > dont remember. Anyway, a dear friend who shall, as always, > remain nameless (Gary Boothe) made new struts for me. They are > constructed from four hickory sticks laminated together. The glue > lines on the original struts ran parallel to the wing, the new > laminations are perpendicular. They seem quite stout though I have > not flown them very long. Gary is a saint.> > Note: For what its worth, the holes on the old struts showed no > sign of distress or elongation. Thats with 260 hours, several > hundred takeoffs and landings, and a significant wing dragging > episode on each side. > > Wing Cross Wires> I used the cross wires at the right front cockpit to hold the wing > in place. I can honestly say that I do not remember why. I also > do not remember why on earth I lopped off the ears from the top > motor mount where the diagonal cabanes would mount. Regardless, I > added diagonal cabanes and got rid of the wires to improve > ingress/egress from the front cockpit. > > I did not want to cut a bunch of fabric and remake motor mounts, so > I carefully crafted an East Texas Redneck Modification (ETRM) to > provide the front mount for the diagonals. I welded them to the > vertical cabanes at the top. Ill improve that ETRM when we re-> cover the plane. See attached photo.> > Clourcars Prop> Ive taken so much abuse for the ugly-but-effective Warp Drive > prop that I broke down and bought a wooden prop from Cloudcars. It > is 68x34. They originally sent me a 68X27 which Jay calculated to > be similar in pitch to my Warp at 7.5 degrees. It wasnt enough > pitch. They very kindly provided another propeller. It appears to > have a little more functional pitch than the Warp. The plane > climbs a little slower, but still at better than 500 fpm, and flies > about 10% faster. Since were not allowed to fly our Cloudcars > in the rain I may switch to the Warp for traveling to and from > Brodhead, and then use the pretty wooden prop while there. See > attached photo. > > Landing Gear Springs> I think Ive talked about this already. I re-did the gear with > springs instead of bungees after one of the bungees failed and left > me limping down the taxiway at an awkward angle. I used Hans Van > der Voorts drawings.> > The Dreaded Corvair> The Weseman 5th bearing has been installed for ~60 hours. So far > so good.> > Last year at this time I noticed a sudden drop in power of about > 150 rpm. It turned out to be a burned valve. Roy Szarafinski re-> did the heads for me. The reworked heads actually give me an > increase in static of 150 rpm. I originally had the heads done at > a car shop several years ago. Its safe to say that Roy does > significantly more sophisticated work than most car shops.> > Use as you see fit.> > --------> Kevin "Axel" Purtee> NX899KP> Austin/Georgetown, TX> > > > > Read this topic online here:> > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... 597#364597> > > > > Attachments: > > http://forums.matronics.com//files/painted_prop_211.jpg> http://forums.matronics.com//files/all_3_mods_169.jpg> > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Rudder Pedals VS Rudder Bar

Original Posted By: "kevinpurtee"
I know some Pietenpols have rudder pedals for the rear cockpit and some have arudder bar.For those that may have flown both types is there a difference in handling on theground or in the air?I would think not in the air so much as ground handling....maybe.ThanksLarryRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Modifications as the result of operational experience

Original Posted By: Hans Van Der Voort
For Gardiner: 7.5 degrees pitch, 2850 static RPM, cruise at 75.Kevin--------Kevin "Axel" PurteeNX899KPAustin/Georgetown, TXRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Wing Strut Forks

Original Posted By: Larry Morlock
Larry,Rule of thumb diameter = minimum thread engagement.Thus 7/16 diameter you need 7/16 lenght to get full strenght on threads.But more is always better.BRHansNX 15KV-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By:> owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Rudder Pedals VS Rudder Bar> > This subject has come up before and some of the responses have indicated> that the bar is necessary to prevent excessive loading on the rudder> structure by pushing with both feet at the same time. Since I preferred> pedals with toe brakes, I put the bar behind the rear seat and connected the> pedals to the bar, then to the rudder. Thus, the rudder is protected from> simultaneous pressure on both pedals.> > BTW, I did not put controls in the front position. I have had too much> experience with passengers that thought they could fly better than me and> have taken the airplane away from me in critical situations. An instructor> on the field has even declared that he will not get into a small airplane if> he does not have access to the controls. With no controls in the front of> the Piet, I have no concerns about having to give him a ride. Plus, I saved> some weight.> > -----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
This subject has come up before and some of the responses have indicatedthat the bar is necessary to prevent excessive loading on the rudderstructure by pushing with both feet at the same time. Since I preferredpedals with toe brakes, I put the bar behind the rear seat and connected thepedals to the bar, then to the rudder. Thus, the rudder is protected fromsimultaneous pressure on both pedals.BTW, I did not put controls in the front position. I have had too muchexperience with passengers that thought they could fly better than me andhave taken the airplane away from me in critical situations. An instructoron the field has even declared that he will not get into a small airplane ifhe does not have access to the controls. With no controls in the front ofthe Piet, I have no concerns about having to give him a ride. Plus, I savedsome weight.-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: "G. Robert Stetson"
Subject: Re: RE: Pietenpol-List: Rudder Pedals VS Rudder BarMy old V-tail bonanza (1948) has pedals on the right side, but no brakes on thatside. Brakes were put on later models. These pedals are adjustable forward andbackward for leg length. They will also fold flat to the floor, out of theway. Of course, I have the famous Bonanza throwover yoke.Perhaps this is the "dual" solution. Brakes that fold out of the way or that youcan take out. Blue SkiesSteve "the good idea farie" D----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips"
I laminated my struts from red oak, ash, pecan, poplar, Douglas fir, and Magnoliabay. I used all the different woods purely for looks. I don't know about ultimatestrength but it is a LOT stiffer than a piece of red oak the same size.Each layer is 1/4" thick.--------Jerry Dotson59 Daniel Johnson RdBaker, FL 32531Started building NX510JD July, 2009now covering and painting21" wheelsLycoming O-235 C2CJay Anderson CloudCars prop 76 X 44Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ttachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/a34_ ... __________

Original Posted By: "Larry Vetter"
I have flown NX18235 from both the front and rear. I much prefer the rudder bar. It just feels natural.The geometry explanation given by Tools sounds logical.If I build another one it will also have a rudder bar.Greg CardinalMinneapolis----- Original Message -----