Original Posted By: jmcnarry(at)techplus.com (John McNarry)
Regarding the optional steel strip on the bottom of the fuselage connectingthe landing gear fittings on the split axle. You fellows that are flying,did you install this? How necessary is this? Those of you that opt not toinstall this strip, have there been any problems as a result of it not beingthere?? It seems to me that the white ash pieces should be more than capableto handle the loads imposed. I'm looking for a consensus of opinion as I'mnow mounting my gear and if it's truly not needed, why add weight.JoeCZion, Illinois________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: steel strip
Pietenpol-List: Re: steel strip
Original Posted By: Larry Pasley
>Regarding the optional steel strip on the bottom of the fuselage connectingJoe- I put it there just for piece of mind on my straight axle gear too.I used fairly thin 4130 strip....maybe .015" or so. ________________________________________________________________________________
>Regarding the optional steel strip on the bottom of the fuselage connectingJoe- I put it there just for piece of mind on my straight axle gear too.I used fairly thin 4130 strip....maybe .015" or so. ________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: steel strip
Original Posted By: steve(at)byu.edu
I had mixed feelings on this strip. I didn't install it simply because Ididn't realize there was the option when I made my landing gear attachplates. If I were to do it again I would integrate the strap in the plateconstruction and fasten it to the ash member in a couple of places in themiddle. I finally decided not to redo the LG plates and installed them asit. I have not had a problem with it. Another Piet builder here did addthe strips and actually ground looped the aircraft after a landing hardenough to fold one wheel. His strap bowed down from the fuse an inch or so,but there was no damage to the wood or ash member. Take your pick.Regardless it is one tough bird.Steve E.-----Original Message-----fishinSent: Thursday, October 22, 1998 7:17 PMSubject: Pietenpol-List: steel stripRegarding the optional steel strip on the bottom of the fuselage connectingthe landing gear fittings on the split axle. You fellows that are flying,did you install this? How necessary is this? Those of you that opt not toinstall this strip, have there been any problems as a result of it not beingthere?? It seems to me that the white ash pieces should be more than capableto handle the loads imposed. I'm looking for a consensus of opinion as I'mnow mounting my gear and if it's truly not needed, why add weight.JoeCZion, Illinois________________________________________________________________________________
I had mixed feelings on this strip. I didn't install it simply because Ididn't realize there was the option when I made my landing gear attachplates. If I were to do it again I would integrate the strap in the plateconstruction and fasten it to the ash member in a couple of places in themiddle. I finally decided not to redo the LG plates and installed them asit. I have not had a problem with it. Another Piet builder here did addthe strips and actually ground looped the aircraft after a landing hardenough to fold one wheel. His strap bowed down from the fuse an inch or so,but there was no damage to the wood or ash member. Take your pick.Regardless it is one tough bird.Steve E.-----Original Message-----fishinSent: Thursday, October 22, 1998 7:17 PMSubject: Pietenpol-List: steel stripRegarding the optional steel strip on the bottom of the fuselage connectingthe landing gear fittings on the split axle. You fellows that are flying,did you install this? How necessary is this? Those of you that opt not toinstall this strip, have there been any problems as a result of it not beingthere?? It seems to me that the white ash pieces should be more than capableto handle the loads imposed. I'm looking for a consensus of opinion as I'mnow mounting my gear and if it's truly not needed, why add weight.JoeCZion, Illinois________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: steel strip
Original Posted By: John Greenlee
The steel strap between lift strut/landing gear fittings was deemed"optional" on the plans because the wing was built in one piece andthe loads on lift stuts and fittings were reduced accordingly.If one builds a three piece wing with outer panels hinged on the centersection (as I did on my Pietenpol), these loads will be increased andit would be prudent to install a steel tie strap between these fittings.These are aptly called "chicken straps". On my a/c the straps are in- tegralwith the strut/landing gear fittings, being edge welded together. Thisweldment will certainly handle any tension created by lift loads---and theash (I used oak) crosspiece to which it is bolted will handle thecompression created by the weight of the wings and landing loads.A retrofit to incorporate a "chicken strap" is not too difficult to accom-plish if one has not faired in the belly. Simply pick up existing bolt holesin the fittings and use slightly longer (and preferably one size larger)bolts to attach the strap. The strap is most effective when placed on theoutside of the belly, rather than inside on top of the ash crosspiece.The fuselage fittings as shown in the plans tend to place the bolts veryclose to the corners inside the fuselage. This makes holes tricky to drilland bolts difficult to install. I made mine a bit larger and was able todrill holes and install bolts easily without coming too close to thelowerlongerons. These changes have served well for 28 years, nearly 700hours, and literally thousands of takeoffs and landings while bas-ed at apretty rough grass airstrip.I hope this is of some use. Cheers,Graham Hansen________________________________________________________________________________
The steel strap between lift strut/landing gear fittings was deemed"optional" on the plans because the wing was built in one piece andthe loads on lift stuts and fittings were reduced accordingly.If one builds a three piece wing with outer panels hinged on the centersection (as I did on my Pietenpol), these loads will be increased andit would be prudent to install a steel tie strap between these fittings.These are aptly called "chicken straps". On my a/c the straps are in- tegralwith the strut/landing gear fittings, being edge welded together. Thisweldment will certainly handle any tension created by lift loads---and theash (I used oak) crosspiece to which it is bolted will handle thecompression created by the weight of the wings and landing loads.A retrofit to incorporate a "chicken strap" is not too difficult to accom-plish if one has not faired in the belly. Simply pick up existing bolt holesin the fittings and use slightly longer (and preferably one size larger)bolts to attach the strap. The strap is most effective when placed on theoutside of the belly, rather than inside on top of the ash crosspiece.The fuselage fittings as shown in the plans tend to place the bolts veryclose to the corners inside the fuselage. This makes holes tricky to drilland bolts difficult to install. I made mine a bit larger and was able todrill holes and install bolts easily without coming too close to thelowerlongerons. These changes have served well for 28 years, nearly 700hours, and literally thousands of takeoffs and landings while bas-ed at apretty rough grass airstrip.I hope this is of some use. Cheers,Graham Hansen________________________________________________________________________________