Search found 637 matches

by taildrags
Wed Mar 23, 2022 12:12 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Shock spring contruction
Replies: 13
Views: 2575

Re: Shock spring contruction

Let's think about this. In the conventional J-3 gear, and the gear on my airplane, the two diagonal downtubes that form the vee are welded, not bolted, onto the tops of the rectangular plates that the spring struts attach to. That being the case, they form a rigid triangular assembly that might as w...
by taildrags
Sun Mar 20, 2022 11:44 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Shock spring contruction
Replies: 13
Views: 2575

Re: Shock spring contruction

Ah, yes... back to the original question. I assume you're talking about the same setup and geometry as I have on 41CC, and if so, I can throw in my two cents' worth on what I think the forces might be in different loadings. Is this the setup?

-Oscar
gear_small.jpg
by taildrags
Thu Mar 17, 2022 3:50 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Shock spring contruction
Replies: 13
Views: 2575

Re: Shock spring contruction

I'm not a welder, so I can't provide advice or opinion on that subject. I use a very skilled welder for all of that work. He is also a pilot and an experimental aircraft builder, so he's comfortable with doing aircraft welding.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:04 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Shock spring contruction
Replies: 13
Views: 2575

Re: Shock spring contruction

Yeah, that was my article in the Newsletter and you raise an interesting point. Let me chew on that a little while ;o) Meanwhile, let me encourage builders not to skimp on the landing gear parts, pieces, or connections- and especially not on the welds. Ask me how I know. Rough off-field landing, gea...
by taildrags
Wed Mar 16, 2022 10:35 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: What size for steel sheet in landing gear?
Replies: 6
Views: 1591

Re: What size for steel sheet in landing gear?

Kinda thought I recognized those turned wood 'streamline' blocks at the bungees ;o)
by taildrags
Tue Feb 22, 2022 10:54 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Pietenpol Project
Replies: 4
Views: 2134

Re: Pietenpol Project

Terry: wait. It's only February 22, not April 1. No foolin'-? This is a sad state of affairs, letting this excellent project go, and at such a low cost. Whoever gets this project will indeed have a solid start on a very well constructed Pietenvair.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
by taildrags
Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:37 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Shock Struts
Replies: 3
Views: 1263

Re: Shock Struts

Spend a little time on Westcoastpiet. For starters, look at Jim Boyer's pictures, and Kurt Shipman's. I realize that those are pictures of complete, assembled spring struts, but you'll learn a lot about how they go together from those pictures.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Tue Feb 08, 2022 11:50 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: question gear axle
Replies: 12
Views: 2301

Re: question gear axle

Jeffrey; As you'll see from these pix of the starboard and port side axles on my airplane, they are stock items, bolted to matching pads that are welded to stubs that form clusters where the gear leg downtubes and the spring struts all attach. You may not be planning to use bolt-on Cleveland-style a...
by taildrags
Tue Feb 08, 2022 3:28 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: question gear axle
Replies: 12
Views: 2301

Re: question gear axle

I have 6.00x6 Cleveland wheels and brakes on my Piet and would be happy to send photos of how it all attaches. Probably be useful to you since I have the wheels and brakes off the axles right now for overhaul, so you can see the axles and how they attach to the gear legs without anything else in the...
by taildrags
Tue Jan 25, 2022 10:43 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Split gear fitting plans question
Replies: 5
Views: 1507

Re: Split gear fitting plans question

I think it's been shown both from the plans and from anecdotal comments received from people who knew and worked with Bernard Pietenpol that the strap between the gear/strut attach fittings running under the belly is not a critical structural element. Drawing No. 3 of the Hoopman plans notes that th...
by taildrags
Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:40 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: New Member in California
Replies: 5
Views: 2979

Re: New Member in California

If you had some time to spare, you could get up to Frazier Lake Airpark (near Hollister/Gilroy) the first weekend in June for the West Coast Piet Fly-In. Only about six hours' drive from Riverside ;o)

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Sat Dec 25, 2021 4:24 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Wood prop for Corvair
Replies: 2
Views: 1185

Re: Wood prop for Corvair

The place to get your answer is on the CorvAircraft list or William Wynne's Flycorvair facebook page.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Fri Nov 19, 2021 3:34 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Instructions for final assembly.
Replies: 1
Views: 1201

Re: Instructions for final assembly.

Sorry... I don't think it was me, but now you've got me curious.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Thu Oct 07, 2021 11:01 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Split gear construction
Replies: 4
Views: 3583

Re: Split gear construction

How to build the spring struts is all right here: https://flycorvair.net/2012/10/27/new-d ... a-m-4-p-m/

-Oscar
by taildrags
Wed Oct 06, 2021 10:37 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Split gear construction
Replies: 4
Views: 3583

Re: Split gear construction

John; if you're thinking of the Cub-style gear, I can highly recommend the "canned spring" die spring gear setup as done by William Wynne. My spring struts are similar but are not enclosed as the WW style are. See photo below, side-by-side comparison of the traditional Bungee shock arrange...
by taildrags
Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:18 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Wanted Cont. 65 motor mount.
Replies: 2
Views: 1472

Re: Wanted Cont. 65 motor mount.

Glasscamper, since you moved away from looking for an engine mount to purchase and are now building your own, you should post followups on the regular chat part of this site rather than here in the classifieds. I'm sure others will be interested in how your mount progresses. Oscar Zuniga Medford, OR...
by taildrags
Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:12 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Tail rigging wire locations
Replies: 2
Views: 1739

Re: Tail rigging wire locations

I just looked at my plans and I see what you mean. About the only reason I can think of is that the brace wire anchor points end up about as far out on the stabilizer spars as practical without getting into gussets and hinges, and if the wires are run clear out to the ends the angle of the brace wir...
by taildrags
Thu Sep 30, 2021 10:40 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: bungee cord question for jenny style gear
Replies: 6
Views: 3650

Re: bungee cord question for jenny style gear

I am not using bungee cords but to me there's a question when people say they used safety wire to secure the ends. My question would be, 0.032" safety wire, or 0.041"?

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
die spring struts
by taildrags
Tue Aug 10, 2021 11:19 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Pietenpol Flight Characteristics
Replies: 3
Views: 2262

Re: Pietenpol Flight Characteristics

Oh, and I guess I should say my references were to J-3 Cubs, not the E-2.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Tue Aug 10, 2021 11:12 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Pietenpol Flight Characteristics
Replies: 3
Views: 2262

Re: Pietenpol Flight Characteristics

I have time in my Piet as well as time in J-3 Cubs and Super Cubs. You'll hear comments about the flight characteristic differences that are all over the place, so just take my comments as my own observations and not universal among other pilots with the same experience. I don't think that anyone wi...
by taildrags
Fri Aug 06, 2021 10:39 am
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Wanted WW W&B
Replies: 3
Views: 1823

Re: Wanted WW W&B

The W&B manual is a very useful and important resource for any Piet builder or pilot. And 'hey' back to you, glasscamper.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:08 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Floats
Replies: 3
Views: 2167

Re: Floats

I have a set of plans for Muktuk wood floats that I lent to Dick Navratil (I think) and a set of floats were to be built from them at Brodhead or Oshkosh as a demonstration. I don't think that ever happened and I now have my plans back.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Sat Jul 03, 2021 1:43 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Houston TX area builder/pilots
Replies: 4
Views: 2480

Re: Houston TX area builder/pilots

Thank you, Doug. Now Gladewater is a fur piece away from Houston, but coincidentally is only about 82 miles from Shreveport, where my Air Camper was built and first flown.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Thu Jul 01, 2021 1:58 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Houston TX area builder/pilots
Replies: 4
Views: 2480

Re: Houston TX area builder/pilots

Nothing new to me, Richard, and it doesn't faze me.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Wed Jun 30, 2021 10:47 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Houston TX area builder/pilots
Replies: 4
Views: 2480

Houston TX area builder/pilots

Howdy, Pietenpeople in and around Houston (Hans van der Voort in Waller- you too!)- my wife and I are thinking ahead to when I retire, maybe heading back to TX and the Houston area, but not the busy metro area. I've never lived out that way; the nearest thing to it was the summer I spent in Nacogdoc...
by taildrags
Wed Jun 23, 2021 10:46 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: About fuel tank design and CG.
Replies: 4
Views: 2982

Re: About fuel tank design and CG.

Let's think about this. If you have 12.5 gallons of fuel up in the wing centersection (which puts it on the CG, for all practical purposes), then it will be feeding into your header tank for a couple of flight hours with relatively no noticeable effect on the CG. I can't sit for more than a couple o...
by taildrags
Mon Jun 21, 2021 1:11 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4638

Re: Heel Brakes

Dan; does the brake cable go around a pulley to change direction before entering the outer sheath? Looks that way but I can't be sure.

-Oscar Z.
by taildrags
Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:50 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Heel Brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 4638

Re: Heel Brakes

Terry; I have seen pix of some very elegantly executed heel brakes and if I were building a new Piet I would consider that setup. That may be partly due to the fact that my first training, and my first supervised solo, were done in a J-3 with expander-tube brakes with heel actuation. The expander tu...
by taildrags
Thu Jun 03, 2021 10:29 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
Replies: 58
Views: 23106

Re: Brake master cylinder mountings

Richard; I take it from where the grass is way up on the tail brace wires that you're glad the airplane is painted a bright color? Otherwise, you'd be so deep in the grass when you stop that you might lose the airplane in that tall stuff ;o) Good heavens, man-! If you're landing in stuff that tall, ...
by taildrags
Wed Jun 02, 2021 11:23 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
Replies: 58
Views: 23106

Re: Brake master cylinder mountings

Was there a break-in routine specified for the new brakes? When I replaced the pads on my brakes with new Rapco linings, there was a procedure that basically involved some fast taxi while dragging the brakes to heat them up. May be different for other brakes, other pads. Here's what Rapco says about...
by taildrags
Sun May 30, 2021 10:21 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
Replies: 58
Views: 23106

Re: Brake master cylinder mountings

Looking good, and they will no doubt work just fine for you. Nice closeup of those fluid reservoirs on the brakes... from the plumbing section of the aero supply store ;o) It looks like your tires are McCreary Aero Trainers. Same as what I fly except mine are 6.00x6s right now; going to 8s one of th...
by taildrags
Wed May 26, 2021 10:09 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Thinking about landinding gear
Replies: 3
Views: 2699

Re: Thinking about landinding gear

I think it's nice to get the fuselage on the gear as soon as you can, for two reasons: (1) it's easier to roll around that way, and (2) it elevates your excitement and satisfaction to see something that looks like an airplane. Of course you don't have to bolt up the gear if you know you'll be flippi...
by taildrags
Mon May 24, 2021 10:42 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
Replies: 58
Views: 23106

Re: Brake master cylinder mountings

Yes, I noticed those reservoirs. I like your brake pedals, too. What brake line tubing are you planning to use? I used Nylaflo on mine after reading up on the pros and cons. It's not recommended for brake lines where the wheels and brakes are inside of tight-fitting wheel pants or on planes that ope...
by taildrags
Sun May 23, 2021 10:33 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
Replies: 58
Views: 23106

Re: Brake master cylinder mountings

Don't stop now, Richard! (pardon the pun ;o)

-Oscar Z.
by taildrags
Wed May 05, 2021 10:38 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
Replies: 58
Views: 23106

Re: Brake master cylinder mountings

Richard; I'm right there with you. Pulling annual on my Piet and next on the list is to pull the wheels and brakes for cleaning, servicing the bearings, and swapping my 6.00 tires and tubes for 8s. I just think the plane will look better and will give me just a bit more deck angle in the 3-point lan...
by taildrags
Tue Apr 27, 2021 4:30 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's spark plug bushings
Replies: 4
Views: 2879

Re: N34KP's spark plug bushings

Clever piece of work. They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and you sure have the earmarks of one of her children!

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sat Apr 24, 2021 12:23 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Vertical Stab attachment bolt holes
Replies: 9
Views: 4474

Re: Vertical Stab attachment bolt holes

The only experience I have is with my airplane, A75, wood fuselage. The first couple of years I owned the plane I flew it with one foot always holding a little pressure on one side of the rudder bar but I thought that's just the way it was with this Air Camper and most others flying in this configur...
by taildrags
Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:21 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Vertical Stab attachment bolt holes
Replies: 9
Views: 4474

Re: Vertical Stab attachment bolt holes

John; either way works. I was trying to keep you from making a hole in the longeron, you're trying to get the hole to land there. It's your airplane, you pick ;o)

-Oscar
by taildrags
Wed Apr 21, 2021 10:41 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Vertical Stab attachment bolt holes
Replies: 9
Views: 4474

Re: Vertical Stab attachment bolt holes

My suggestion? It's easy to measure, cut, and glue in a cross-block between the longerons so you can bolt through that. The epoxy will be dry in the morning and you can carry on ;o)

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Mon Apr 12, 2021 11:16 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP
Replies: 27
Views: 14519

Re: N34KP

Wait... I just remembered that Ken is an academic and he followed the logic in my narrative perfectly. So for him and the other grammarians out there, I was talking about having to make a third tail tiedown release lever, NOT get a third COVID jab. And my excuse is that the after-effects of the shot...
by taildrags
Mon Apr 12, 2021 11:05 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP
Replies: 27
Views: 14519

Re: N34KP

Ken Bickers! I just fell out of my chair! Third jab, indeed ;o)

Richard: It takes all day to make a nice part so I can tell a nice story, but dagnabbit- it only took one or two seconds to ruin a perfectly good part. And so it goes ;o)

-Oscar
by taildrags
Mon Apr 12, 2021 11:00 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Pietenpol Aerial
Replies: 2
Views: 2501

Re: Pietenpol Aerial

Having owned a St. Croix Aerial project for a short time (just long enough to separate the beautiful set of landing gear from it), I can speak to this subject just a bit but not very much. To me, the Aerial (which is not a Pietenpol Air Camper) will appeal to builders who like the Air Camper but als...
by taildrags
Sun Apr 11, 2021 10:42 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP
Replies: 27
Views: 14519

Re: N34KP

So this was one of those days. I had completed and tested my tail tiedown release, modeled after the one Richard made for Four Kilo Papa, and have finally gotten around to replacing the "tug the cord" release method with a for-real release lever and knob, also modeled after Richard's (than...
by taildrags
Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:50 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: status of current build
Replies: 33
Views: 12524

Re: status of current build

Careful... I see you've got that plane inverted. Note that the Air Camper is Normal category and only good for negative 1.52 G ;o)

-Oscar Z.
by taildrags
Tue Apr 06, 2021 3:27 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Hello - First post - NX899TD
Replies: 4
Views: 3137

Re: Hello - First post - NX899TD

Looks mighty purty ;o)

-Oscar
by taildrags
Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:58 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Where to buy Plywood
Replies: 5
Views: 3403

Re: Where to buy Plywood

I misspoke... it's Edensaw Woods.

-OZ
by taildrags
Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:56 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Where to buy Plywood
Replies: 5
Views: 3403

Re: Where to buy Plywood

Stroid: you are ideally located for this. Try Edensaw Lumber in Tacoma. Every report I've heard or seen on this list regarding their products and service have been A-1.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:11 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Piet Airfoil FC-10
Replies: 18
Views: 7931

Re: Piet Airfoil FC-10

Varmint: email me at taildrags@hotmail.com and I'll share those articles with you.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:54 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Piet Airfoil FC-10
Replies: 18
Views: 7931

Re: Piet Airfoil FC-10

Now, see-? THIS is the value of these groups! Meet other builders and pilots, ask questions, share ideas, "harvest" tips and tricks from others, and network/connect. Although I had been flying for 30 years when this happened, I never gave the Air Camper a thought until the day I met Ernie ...
by taildrags
Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:17 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Piet Airfoil FC-10
Replies: 18
Views: 7931

Re: Piet Airfoil FC-10

The writeup by Mike Shuck is exactly what I was referring to. Mike moderated the Airfoil group on Yahoo Groups and that's where I first read his excellent writings. I know exactly where he is, a family medical practitioner in Wichita Kansas, but I also know that he's a busy guy and that he copyright...