Original Posted By: jkahn(at)picasso.dehavilland.ca (John Kahn)
After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the Piet, there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...RichardWeb Developer, http://www.autoeurope.comHomepage: http://www.wrld.com/w3builder__________ ... __________
Pietenpol-List: Climbing
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: Steve Pugh
Which brings me to another important question. It's one that we don't like to think much about, but we must. Considering what must be done to get in and out of the front cockpit, AND the fact that the gas tank is right in your lap up there, has anyone thought about what would happen in a crash situation? What is one to do? Does one get out in time? This is aweful, I know, but it must be thought about.Richard> Well after just putting on my struts and every other obstruction, I> had to climb in my front cockpit to fasten a bolt for the wing> diagonals. I did make it, at 210lbs and 5'10" but it wasn't without> thinking- " here I am alone, in the night, in a closed building,> doors locked, nearly stuck." "Uhm.... Better not get stuck"> Everything was ok and I didn't even have to take off my shoes this> time.> > Steve e.> Steve Pugh wrote:> > >> > >After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the> > >Piet,> >> > >there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you> > >get in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...> >> > Well, I made it to Brodhead this summer and took a ride in a Piet> > there. Let's just say that at 6'2", I did a fair amount of yoga to> > get into the front. Kinda stepped up, worked my way through the> > wires so that most of my body was sticking out under the> > *opposite* wing, then backed my legs in.> > Not huge fun, but getting out was easier.> >> > And, once inside, it was suprisingly roomy. At least much moreso> > than it looked from outside.> >> > Cheers,> >> > Steve Pugh> Web Developer, http://www.autoeurope.comHomepage: http://www.wrld.com/w3builder__________ ... __________
Which brings me to another important question. It's one that we don't like to think much about, but we must. Considering what must be done to get in and out of the front cockpit, AND the fact that the gas tank is right in your lap up there, has anyone thought about what would happen in a crash situation? What is one to do? Does one get out in time? This is aweful, I know, but it must be thought about.Richard> Well after just putting on my struts and every other obstruction, I> had to climb in my front cockpit to fasten a bolt for the wing> diagonals. I did make it, at 210lbs and 5'10" but it wasn't without> thinking- " here I am alone, in the night, in a closed building,> doors locked, nearly stuck." "Uhm.... Better not get stuck"> Everything was ok and I didn't even have to take off my shoes this> time.> > Steve e.> Steve Pugh wrote:> > >> > >After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the> > >Piet,> >> > >there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you> > >get in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...> >> > Well, I made it to Brodhead this summer and took a ride in a Piet> > there. Let's just say that at 6'2", I did a fair amount of yoga to> > get into the front. Kinda stepped up, worked my way through the> > wires so that most of my body was sticking out under the> > *opposite* wing, then backed my legs in.> > Not huge fun, but getting out was easier.> >> > And, once inside, it was suprisingly roomy. At least much moreso> > than it looked from outside.> >> > Cheers,> >> > Steve Pugh> Web Developer, http://www.autoeurope.comHomepage: http://www.wrld.com/w3builder__________ ... __________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By:> rdecosta(at)autoeurope.com (Richard DeCosta)
> From Steve(at)byu.edu Fri Oct 10 10:54:49 1997> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 10:52:52 +0000
> From Steve(at)byu.edu Fri Oct 10 10:54:49 1997> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 10:52:52 +0000
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: Steve Eldredge
>After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the Piet, >there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get >in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...Well, I made it to Brodhead this summer and took a ride in a Piet there.Let's just say that at 6'2", I did a fair amount of yoga to get into thefront. Kinda stepped up, worked my way through the wires so that most ofmy body was sticking out under the *opposite* wing, then backed my legs in. Not huge fun, but getting out was easier.And, once inside, it was suprisingly roomy. At least much moreso than itlooked from outside.Cheers, Steve Pugh Senior Systems Engineer Foundation Imaging________________________________________________________________________________
>After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the Piet, >there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get >in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...Well, I made it to Brodhead this summer and took a ride in a Piet there.Let's just say that at 6'2", I did a fair amount of yoga to get into thefront. Kinda stepped up, worked my way through the wires so that most ofmy body was sticking out under the *opposite* wing, then backed my legs in. Not huge fun, but getting out was easier.And, once inside, it was suprisingly roomy. At least much moreso than itlooked from outside.Cheers, Steve Pugh Senior Systems Engineer Foundation Imaging________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: rdecosta(at)autoeurope.com (Richard DeCosta)
Steve Pugh wrote:>> >After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the Piet,>> >there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get> >in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...>> Well, I made it to Brodhead this summer and took a ride in a Piet> there.> Let's just say that at 6'2", I did a fair amount of yoga to get into> the> front. Kinda stepped up, worked my way through the wires so that most> of> my body was sticking out under the *opposite* wing, then backed my> legs in.> Not huge fun, but getting out was easier.>> And, once inside, it was suprisingly roomy. At least much moreso than> it> looked from outside.>> Cheers,>> Steve PughWell after just putting on my struts and every other obstruction, I hadto climb in my front cockpit to fasten a bolt for thewing diagonals. I did make it, at 210lbs and 5'10" but it wasn'twithout thinking- " here I am alone, in the night, in a closedbuilding,doors locked, nearly stuck." "Uhm.... Better not get stuck"Everything was ok and I didn't even have to take off my shoes this time.Steve e.________________________________________________________________________________
Steve Pugh wrote:>> >After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the Piet,>> >there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get> >in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...>> Well, I made it to Brodhead this summer and took a ride in a Piet> there.> Let's just say that at 6'2", I did a fair amount of yoga to get into> the> front. Kinda stepped up, worked my way through the wires so that most> of> my body was sticking out under the *opposite* wing, then backed my> legs in.> Not huge fun, but getting out was easier.>> And, once inside, it was suprisingly roomy. At least much moreso than> it> looked from outside.>> Cheers,>> Steve PughWell after just putting on my struts and every other obstruction, I hadto climb in my front cockpit to fasten a bolt for thewing diagonals. I did make it, at 210lbs and 5'10" but it wasn'twithout thinking- " here I am alone, in the night, in a closedbuilding,doors locked, nearly stuck." "Uhm.... Better not get stuck"Everything was ok and I didn't even have to take off my shoes this time.Steve e.________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: "McNarry, John"
>Which brings me to another important question. It's one that we don't >like to think much about, but we must. Considering what must be done >to get in and out of the front cockpit, AND the fact that the gas >tank is right in your lap up there, has anyone thought about what >would happen in a crash situation? What is one to do? Does one >get out in time? This is aweful, I know, but it must be thought >about.I wondered about that as I was flying in the front (or, more accurately, asI was getting out..). Don't know the answer, but I do like the slowapproach to a perfectly flat grass field for all my emergencies ;-)As for the 99% of the time where said field isn't available, I dunno.Cheers, Steve Pugh Senior Systems Engineer Foundation Imaging________________________________________________________________________________
>Which brings me to another important question. It's one that we don't >like to think much about, but we must. Considering what must be done >to get in and out of the front cockpit, AND the fact that the gas >tank is right in your lap up there, has anyone thought about what >would happen in a crash situation? What is one to do? Does one >get out in time? This is aweful, I know, but it must be thought >about.I wondered about that as I was flying in the front (or, more accurately, asI was getting out..). Don't know the answer, but I do like the slowapproach to a perfectly flat grass field for all my emergencies ;-)As for the 99% of the time where said field isn't available, I dunno.Cheers, Steve Pugh Senior Systems Engineer Foundation Imaging________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: rdecosta(at)autoeurope.com (Richard DeCosta)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: rdecosta(at)autoeurope.com (Richard DeCosta)
Richard DeCosta wrote:> > After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the Piet,> there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get> in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...> > Richard> > Web Developer, http://www.autoeurope.com> Homepage: http://www.wrld.com/w3builderRichard. It aint easy. I have beenhung up in that area several times andneeded an assist for in and out ,but I am 6-1 and 65 shorter youngerfolks find it not so hard to do but it is worth the effort. one day Iexpect that I will get stuck in there and will have to be cut out. E.H________________________________________________________________________________
Richard DeCosta wrote:> > After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the Piet,> there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get> in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...> > Richard> > Web Developer, http://www.autoeurope.com> Homepage: http://www.wrld.com/w3builderRichard. It aint easy. I have beenhung up in that area several times andneeded an assist for in and out ,but I am 6-1 and 65 shorter youngerfolks find it not so hard to do but it is worth the effort. one day Iexpect that I will get stuck in there and will have to be cut out. E.H________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: jkahn(at)picasso.dehavilland.ca (John Kahn)
Richard DeCosta wrote:> > After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the Piet,> there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get> in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...> I went to Brodhead '96 hoping to answer the same question. Tookphotos. The pictures are on my web site at:http://www.i2k.com/~rwinkelFollow the link to the "Aeroplane" page.Have not yet been in a (fully assembled) Piet. Would appreciatecomments from any more experienced than myself. Is the demonstratedtechnique proper/best? The sheet metal in front of the front 'pit hadbeen bent by careless passengers during entry. Is that common?Dick Winkel________________________________________________________________________________
Richard DeCosta wrote:> > After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the Piet,> there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get> in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...> I went to Brodhead '96 hoping to answer the same question. Tookphotos. The pictures are on my web site at:http://www.i2k.com/~rwinkelFollow the link to the "Aeroplane" page.Have not yet been in a (fully assembled) Piet. Would appreciatecomments from any more experienced than myself. Is the demonstratedtechnique proper/best? The sheet metal in front of the front 'pit hadbeen bent by careless passengers during entry. Is that common?Dick Winkel________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: clawler
Dick,I had trouble with the sheet metal around my cocpits getting bent on theedge. I think I should have used heaver material and braced it better.When I get around to redoing my padding I was thinking about rigging upsome sort of brace. The weather in Pa has been too nice to take timelately. I've gotten in 4 or 5 hours in the last week. Broke down anpayed the price for some slick mags. They work great. I can start theC-65 at idle with one hand from behind the prop with on hand on the Rtwing strut. Much safer.Craig________________________________________________________________________________
Dick,I had trouble with the sheet metal around my cocpits getting bent on theedge. I think I should have used heaver material and braced it better.When I get around to redoing my padding I was thinking about rigging upsome sort of brace. The weather in Pa has been too nice to take timelately. I've gotten in 4 or 5 hours in the last week. Broke down anpayed the price for some slick mags. They work great. I can start theC-65 at idle with one hand from behind the prop with on hand on the Rtwing strut. Much safer.Craig________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: jkahn(at)picasso.dehavilland.ca (John Kahn)
Gary,The flop trailing edge is a good idea. I read somewhere that you losequite a bit if lift by cutting out a curved piece. Mine is just solidand it's a little tight getting in.Craig________________________________________________________________________________
Gary,The flop trailing edge is a good idea. I read somewhere that you losequite a bit if lift by cutting out a curved piece. Mine is just solidand it's a little tight getting in.Craig________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By:> Richard Winkel
> From Steve(at)byu.edu Mon Oct 13 23:48:09 1997> Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 23:43:22 -0400
> From Steve(at)byu.edu Mon Oct 13 23:48:09 1997> Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 23:43:22 -0400
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By:> > Richard Winkel
John Kahn wrote:> > > From Steve(at)byu.edu Mon Oct 13 23:48:09 1997> > Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 23:43:22 -0400
John Kahn wrote:> > > From Steve(at)byu.edu Mon Oct 13 23:48:09 1997> > Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 23:43:22 -0400
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: "Sayre, William G"
> > I had trouble with the sheet metal around my cocpits getting bent on the> edge. I think I should have used heaver material and braced it better.> When I get around to redoing my padding I was thinking about rigging up> some sort of brace. The weather in Pa has been too nice to take time> lately. I've gotten in 4 or 5 hours in the last week. Broke down an> payed the price for some slick mags. They work great. I can start the> C-65 at idle with one hand from behind the prop with on hand on the Rt> wing strut. Much safer.> > Craig> The Piet I was in had plywood coaming. Quite stiff. A most of it neverneeds to be removed anyway.________________________________________________________________________________
> > I had trouble with the sheet metal around my cocpits getting bent on the> edge. I think I should have used heaver material and braced it better.> When I get around to redoing my padding I was thinking about rigging up> some sort of brace. The weather in Pa has been too nice to take time> lately. I've gotten in 4 or 5 hours in the last week. Broke down an> payed the price for some slick mags. They work great. I can start the> C-65 at idle with one hand from behind the prop with on hand on the Rt> wing strut. Much safer.> > Craig> The Piet I was in had plywood coaming. Quite stiff. A most of it neverneeds to be removed anyway.________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: Steve Eldredge
The topic of the cutout in the wing forces me to surface again.DON'T DO IT.Having owned one with the cutout I can tell you lose a lot of lift doingthat. Sit in one at idle and run your hands along the trailing edgewhere you're going to place the cutout and you'll feel a lot of air.Air over the wing means lift. Ask a multi-engine instructor aboutleaving a little power on the engines during final. Bernie talked aboutthis somewhere but I forget where. A flap would be fine albeit moreweight (we're always thinking about weight right?).As for the front cockpit? I always figured if the passenger couldn'tget in I shouldn't be flying them anyway!!! :-)Bill ________________________________________________________________________________
The topic of the cutout in the wing forces me to surface again.DON'T DO IT.Having owned one with the cutout I can tell you lose a lot of lift doingthat. Sit in one at idle and run your hands along the trailing edgewhere you're going to place the cutout and you'll feel a lot of air.Air over the wing means lift. Ask a multi-engine instructor aboutleaving a little power on the engines during final. Bernie talked aboutthis somewhere but I forget where. A flap would be fine albeit moreweight (we're always thinking about weight right?).As for the front cockpit? I always figured if the passenger couldn'tget in I shouldn't be flying them anyway!!! :-)Bill ________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Climbing
Original Posted By: Steve Eldredge
Richard Winkel wrote:> Richard DeCosta wrote:> >> > After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the> Piet,> > there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get>> > in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...> >>> I went to Brodhead '96 hoping to answer the same question. Took> photos. The pictures are on my web site at:> http://www.i2k.com/~rwinkel> Follow the link to the "Aeroplane" page.>> Have not yet been in a (fully assembled) Piet. Would appreciate> comments from any more experienced than myself. Is the demonstrated> technique proper/best? The sheet metal in front of the front 'pit had>> been bent by careless passengers during entry. Is that common?>> Dick Winkel I used 040 al sheet. This is pretty heavy stuff, but never to bebent, even with errant feet! Also I added about 4-5" of1/16" ply on the turtle deck behind the pilot seat.Stevee________________________________________________________________________________
Richard Winkel wrote:> Richard DeCosta wrote:> >> > After looking and looking at the photos I have collected of the> Piet,> > there's one thing I still can't figure out: "How the smeg do you get>> > in the front cockpit!?" Maybe it's more obvious in person...> >>> I went to Brodhead '96 hoping to answer the same question. Took> photos. The pictures are on my web site at:> http://www.i2k.com/~rwinkel> Follow the link to the "Aeroplane" page.>> Have not yet been in a (fully assembled) Piet. Would appreciate> comments from any more experienced than myself. Is the demonstrated> technique proper/best? The sheet metal in front of the front 'pit had>> been bent by careless passengers during entry. Is that common?>> Dick Winkel I used 040 al sheet. This is pretty heavy stuff, but never to bebent, even with errant feet! Also I added about 4-5" of1/16" ply on the turtle deck behind the pilot seat.Stevee________________________________________________________________________________