Search found 637 matches

by taildrags
Sat Mar 20, 2021 12:07 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Piet Airfoil FC-10
Replies: 18
Views: 7943

Re: Piet Airfoil FC-10

Varmint; I've got a bit of information on the analysis of the airfoil, published some years ago on the 'Airfoil' list on Yahoo Groups (now gone). I'll see what I can dig up. For determining the load distribution between the front and rear spars I used Evans's Lightplane Designer's Handbook (2nd Ed.)...
by taildrags
Tue Mar 02, 2021 10:21 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Age and Insurance
Replies: 6
Views: 3704

Re: Age and Insurance

JimV, plenty of Piet builders and pilots around your area of the state. You should try to connect with someone who is building or flying one and get a better idea of what the Piet is like. PS, I took my Private checkride at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (KDWH), in the Houston area. Old time exa...
by taildrags
Mon Mar 01, 2021 10:45 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Age and Insurance
Replies: 6
Views: 3704

Re: Age and Insurance

Well, I'm just a few months away from turning 70 and my insurance (on my Air Camper, with Falcon) renews in October so I guess I'll find out if age after 70 makes a difference when I get my quote for next year's coverage. For the last 10 years I've paid just about a dollar a day for liability covera...
by taildrags
Wed Feb 24, 2021 3:47 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Quick question on the 8 tail brace fittings
Replies: 10
Views: 5060

Re: Quick question on the 8 tail brace fittings

You're correct that there are a number of places on the Air Camper which if you build as per dimensions on the plans, may 'trap' either the bolt head or the nut (or both) when you install the part or install another fastener that faces that one. I have a couple of places on my airplane where I wish ...
by taildrags
Wed Feb 24, 2021 3:44 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: status of current build
Replies: 33
Views: 12537

Re: status of current build

OK. It's the alcohol blended autofuels that can cause problems. Sounds like you're all over it!

-Oscar
by taildrags
Wed Feb 24, 2021 10:12 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: status of current build
Replies: 33
Views: 12537

Re: status of current build

Which epoxy resin did you use on the fuel tank? Do you plan to run auto gas?

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power, avgas
by taildrags
Tue Feb 23, 2021 10:32 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Quick question on the 8 tail brace fittings
Replies: 10
Views: 5060

Re: Quick question on the 8 tail brace fittings

PJ, I'm not sure what the question is. If you're referring to the very simple bent metal tabs that the brace wires attach to, there's not much to them. As with all of these details, you can get a lot of verification of your questions or doubts by looking at what others have done, most notably by vis...
by taildrags
Sun Feb 21, 2021 4:49 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Am I getting close?
Replies: 10
Views: 4903

Re: Am I getting close?

PoconoJohn; it's OK. 60 is the new "midlife" anyway ;o)

-Oscar
by taildrags
Fri Feb 19, 2021 3:13 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Am I getting close?
Replies: 10
Views: 4903

Re: Am I getting close? Am I too old?

What happens when you turn 65? Do your wings melt and fall off? ;o) That milestone has been in my rear-view mirror for almost 5 years now and I'm still flying my Piet. Some people enjoy the build process almost as much as the flying and feel a bit empty once they finish building. It sure seems like ...
by taildrags
Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:24 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: center section bracket rust prevention
Replies: 11
Views: 5097

Re: center section bracket rust prevention

Ken; smell and sensitivity are BIG factors to consider as we build our airplanes and engines, and some people are extremely put off due to one or both of those. My wife is very sensitive to odors and although that was not my primary consideration when I elected to use Aeropoxy to construct my little...
by taildrags
Tue Feb 09, 2021 10:50 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: center section bracket rust prevention
Replies: 11
Views: 5097

Re: center section bracket rust prevention

The woodworkers in this group can provide you with the most sage advice on which varnish would be best in this application, and there are some real pros around here. What I have used on my airplane (which I did not build; only have had to varnish additions, repairs, and miscellaneous woodwork on it)...
by taildrags
Sat Feb 06, 2021 4:23 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Fuel system sealant
Replies: 5
Views: 3987

Re: Fuel system sealant

Ken; great info, since I am using EZ Turn on my threaded fuel fittings too. I'll keep an eye on those until the next time I feel like twisting myself into a pretzel again, when I might just get back down there under the fuel tank and pull my assembly of fuel fittings apart to clean them up and re-do...
by taildrags
Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:30 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: control stick travel
Replies: 11
Views: 6210

Re: control stick travel

Tom Kreiner saved me the trouble of making a run out to the airport to check the stick travel on 41CC. He pulled up an email from back in 2017 where I had already done that... sat in the plane and pushed the stick left and right as far as I could, and I surprised myself to find out that with my knee...
by taildrags
Mon Feb 01, 2021 3:18 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: control stick travel
Replies: 11
Views: 6210

Re: control stick travel

I'll have to go sit in the airplane and throw the stick fully across from side to side to refresh my recollection on this. I installed some small aluminum discs on the floor where the ends of the aileron bellcrank touch, so those would show some dimples if they've been tapped often enough. I have pu...
by taildrags
Fri Jan 29, 2021 4:52 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: control stick travel
Replies: 11
Views: 6210

Re: control stick travel

Dana: sometimes the solution is right in front of our eyes but we can't see it! Great idea.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:18 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: control stick travel
Replies: 11
Views: 6210

Re: control stick travel

JimBob; this has come up before and is not a new issue. My airplane has a half-round notch taken out of the side you're referring to, and I think others have done that as well. See pic.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
notch.jpg
by taildrags
Tue Jan 26, 2021 10:50 am
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Want to Buy Pietenpol or Fuselage
Replies: 9
Views: 5050

Re: Want to Buy Pietenpol or Fuselage

Chris; what, specifically, are you looking for? A flying Air Camper, or a project? Are you looking for something without an engine? A bit more detail would help.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:27 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: jury struts
Replies: 6
Views: 4163

Re: jury struts

Just checked the jury struts on my airplane (which I didn't build). The verticals are 1/2" OD steel tubing, while the horizontal connector between the verticals is 3/8" OD.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:25 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: jury struts
Replies: 6
Views: 4163

Re: jury struts

I'll be at the hangar sometime today and will put the calipers on the jury struts on 41CC to at least get you the OD of mine.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:31 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: jury struts
Replies: 6
Views: 4163

Re: jury struts

Buddy; here you have one of the flagship Air Campers in the fleet... Mike Cuy's beautiful airplane. See if you can tell what size tubing his jury struts are, but they sure don't look anything like 3/4"!
jury.jpg
Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:54 am
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Modified Aircamper
Replies: 9
Views: 5435

Re: Modified Aircamper

Spark6, I agree 100% with your assessment of the situations where this could be a problem, and I suspect that anyone who operates a simple experimental like ours out of a field that is located like yours is, knows that they are limited by their location and what they need to legally fly in and out. ...
by taildrags
Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:46 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Modified Aircamper
Replies: 9
Views: 5435

Re: Modified Aircamper

rightforlineup- would you please explain that statement? As I read FAR 91.225, ADS-B Out capability is only required when operating in Class A, B, or C airspace, within Class E airspace when at or above 10,000 MSL (except when at or below 2,500 AGL, within 30 NM of a Class B airport... the Mode C ve...
by taildrags
Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:51 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Center Section Flooring
Replies: 2
Views: 2648

Re: Center Section Flooring

In my opinion, the plywood floor in the centersection is a good and useful thing, but not for structural reasons. Going back to the 1932 Flying & Glider Manual, the wing was one-piece and that plywood is called out as 1/16" thick "for supporting tank and bracing center section". S...
by taildrags
Wed Jan 13, 2021 3:23 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
Replies: 58
Views: 23161

Re: Brake master cylinder mountings

Looking good! Progress photos are good for those who might be considering the same setup.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:57 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Wood and Steel Fuselages
Replies: 1
Views: 2360

Re: Wood and Steel Fuselages

Sorry, Varmint... I'm not a steel guy and I don't weld, but I do know that the steel tube fuselage has been successfully employed by builders for many years and is said to be lighter that the wood fuselage. Others will have to chime in here, like Terry Hand, who is building his Piet with a steel tub...
by taildrags
Mon Jan 04, 2021 3:46 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Stewart Systems Question
Replies: 5
Views: 3995

Re: Stewart Systems Question

I don't have personal experience, but an A&P friend of mine has the following comments about it -Oscar I've heard of both methods and can't say that I have a preference of one over the other. While I have "supervised" and done the paperwork for two recovers with Stewart system, I have ...
by taildrags
Thu Dec 24, 2020 3:21 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: First Quarter 2021 Newsletter
Replies: 4
Views: 4027

Re: First Quarter 2021 Newsletter

Pat; the first of January is 8 days from now. Does that give you enough time to put together the upcoming edition if we submit something in the next few days?

-Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
by taildrags
Tue Dec 22, 2020 10:22 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Last stitch on the first wing done
Replies: 6
Views: 4363

Re: Last stitch on the first wing done

Ken: that's even easier, yes!

-OZ
by taildrags
Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:30 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Last stitch on the first wing done
Replies: 6
Views: 4363

Re: Last stitch on the first wing done

Melting tiny holes in the fabric where each stitch enters and exits makes it much easier to hit the right spot with the needle, and it's easier to push through. Your tapes cover the stitching and the holes anyway. Worth experimenting with, if you haven't tried it.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun Dec 20, 2020 1:05 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Last stitch on the first wing done
Replies: 6
Views: 4363

Re: Last stitch on the first wing done

Did you do the little soldering iron trick where you touch the tip of a soldering pen to the fabric where each hole will go? I can't tell from the photos. The largest thing I've covered has been my vertical stabilizer when I made repairs on it, and that little trick made it much easier to hit the ho...
by taildrags
Tue Dec 15, 2020 11:24 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Pietenpol Fleet Size
Replies: 7
Views: 5011

Re: Pietenpol Fleet Size

Well, I'm not on the Western Front but I am on the West Coast. And I speak some French and really like French fries. I also own a white scarf and goggles. I quit smoking in 1973 but maybe somebody will let me fly in their escadrille...

-OZ
by taildrags
Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:23 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Pietenpol Fleet Size
Replies: 7
Views: 5011

Re: Pietenpol Fleet Size

Oh, what a stirring sight, to be sure! Will there be smoke?

-OZ
by taildrags
Sun Dec 13, 2020 4:14 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Pietenpol Fleet Size
Replies: 7
Views: 5011

Re: Pietenpol Fleet Size

Ken, I'm having trouble visualizing "a two-ship mass arrival" of Air Campers :lol:

-Oscar
by taildrags
Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:46 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Strut Materials
Replies: 10
Views: 6213

Re: Strut Materials

Varmint; You're confusing my responses with those of Richard Roller. Notice the registration numbers of his airplane, N34KP. See those last two letters? Richard now owns and flies the Piet that belonged to Ken Perkins! That is a very interesting "circling around to where it started"! About...
by taildrags
Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:17 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Strut Materials
Replies: 10
Views: 6213

Re: Strut Materials

Varmint; I guess your initial question still hasn't been answered... are the cabane struts the same size material as the wing lift struts? My answer, based on the forces that they see, is "no". But just going back to the 1932 Air Camper plans and looking at the relative sizes of those in t...
by taildrags
Tue Dec 01, 2020 10:25 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Cable exit grommets/fairings question
Replies: 4
Views: 3374

Re: Cable exit grommets/fairings question

Hey Barrett, check this out. "Dan" in Texas emailed me with this nifty idea, premanufactured parts, not expensive, might give you some ideas. From Dan: American Champion Aircraft part number 1-9971 grommet. As measured = 120mm X 47mm a.k.a 4 11/16" X 1 14/16". $9.71 each. 91 in s...
by taildrags
Sun Nov 29, 2020 10:36 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Cable exit grommets/fairings question
Replies: 4
Views: 3374

Re: Cable exit grommets/fairings question

Well, you're right... I snooped around on the net looking for fairings, fairleads, and all sorts of other keywords and didn't find anything like what you describe either. But hey, if you've got all winter to mess with it, and probably not that many parts to make, why not try making your own? You can...
by taildrags
Mon Nov 09, 2020 10:32 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Luscombe wing
Replies: 9
Views: 5252

Re: Luscombe wing

Richard; the picture is only upside-down in the preview. If you click on the image to open it, it comes out right-side up.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun Nov 08, 2020 3:46 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Luscombe wing
Replies: 9
Views: 5252

Re: Luscombe wing

The usual way to differentiate a Grega from a Pietenpol is to look at the main landing gear attach points to the fuselage. On the Grega, the forward mounting point is the same as the Piet but the aft is moved forward and does not coincide with the mounting point for the aft lift strut. However, they...
by taildrags
Sat Nov 07, 2020 4:43 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Luscombe wing
Replies: 9
Views: 5252

Re: Luscombe wing

It appears to have other mods as well. The Air Camper elevators do not have 'horns' at the ends for aerodynamic balance, nor do they have rounded ends.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sat Nov 07, 2020 4:40 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Tall pilots and leg room
Replies: 7
Views: 4517

Re: Tall pilots and leg room

You would most likely have to either eliminate the front seat or develop a different front seat design, because if you move the rudder bar forward very much, it'll be touching the front seat support at full deflection.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Thu Nov 05, 2020 10:59 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Luscombe wing
Replies: 9
Views: 5252

Re: Luscombe wing

I don't know anything specific about the wing, but just looking at a Luscombe 8 for example, it uses the NACA 4412 airfoil, has a wingspan of 35 ft and a wing area of 140 sq.ft. which puts the chord at an average of 48". The gross weight and top speed are both higher than that of the Air Camper...
by taildrags
Wed Nov 04, 2020 10:25 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Tall pilots and leg room
Replies: 7
Views: 4517

Re: Tall pilots and leg room

I'm only 5'-9" so I don't have a valid opinion on this, but I would venture to say that there could be several inches' difference between two pilots who are both 6'-4". One could be long in the torso, the other could have long legs. The pilot with the longer torso would probably be looking...
by taildrags
Tue Nov 03, 2020 4:19 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Vertical Stabilizer flutter
Replies: 15
Views: 8572

Re: Vertical Stabilizer flutter

Andy; your pilot should consider himself lucky to still be around. That thing could have flown apart at any moment, especially if there had been bumpy air. As far as a fix, I would say that 90+ years of experience of Air Campers flying safely and successfully without structural failures of that sort...
by taildrags
Mon Nov 02, 2020 10:49 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Vertical Stabilizer flutter
Replies: 15
Views: 8572

Re: Vertical Stabilizer flutter

Richard: I don't know if all Grega GN-1s are setup like this, but Ernie Moreno's is. See pic.

-Oscar
tail01.jpg
by taildrags
Mon Nov 02, 2020 3:15 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Vertical Stabilizer flutter
Replies: 15
Views: 8572

Re: Vertical Stabilizer flutter

Andy; what engine is on the airplane? And what do the windscreens look like? I'm just wondering if the vertical stabilizer vibration is in sync with the propeller pulses. Similar question with the windscreens, wondering if they might be aggravating or creating the propeller stream getting to the VS....
by taildrags
Sun Nov 01, 2020 10:51 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Speed Queen water pump? Model A engine.
Replies: 6
Views: 4466

Re: Speed Queen water pump? Model A engine.

Engineers eat numbers for lunch. We gotta have numbers. Here's a fictitious numbers exercise: a water-cooled 4-stroke that puts out 40 hp to the shaft at rated RPM (whatever that RPM is). Let's assume that the combustion efficiency of the engine is 40% and the other 60% is lost as heat. Let's furthe...
by taildrags
Sun Oct 25, 2020 10:38 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: compass location
Replies: 7
Views: 4468

Re: compass location

Just looked at the pic again... I see that your compass is mounted just ahead of the rear spar. Got it.

Also noticed that you used my U-bolt trick on the cabane braces for mounting the passenger's shoulder harness to. How's that working out? Mine works great.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun Oct 25, 2020 10:33 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: compass location
Replies: 7
Views: 4468

Re: compass location

Ken; thanks for the tips on compass mounting up there. I'll most likely Gorilla Tape the compass in place and fly it a bit before settling on anything. And I know what you mean about bifocals. When I wear my contacts to fly, I can wear any sunglasses I want, any goggles I want, or nothing on my eyes...
by taildrags
Sat Oct 24, 2020 11:44 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: compass location
Replies: 7
Views: 4468

Re: compass location

Ken; thanks for confirming the path I've decided to take... under the wing. I had that same, or very similar, Ritchie compass in my Amazon shopping cart till I found one by Silva that looked like it might provide a slimmer profile and perhaps simpler mounting and more adjustable viewing angle. Undec...