Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "aviken"
Terry,Thanks for the reference. I will reach out to him soon.Jack,Thanks for the offer. I will keep your phone number and will contact you whenI travel up your way.GregRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "Clif Dawson"
Ive seen a lot of posts and pictures about the aluminum hinges that vi Kapler made,I spoke with him on the phone last night and he said that he no longer suppliedthem. An insurance and liability worry was the reason he stopped. Butwhat a great excuse to get to talk to the gentleman. I told him how much I admiredhis latest Pietenpol, and that I might steal his paint scheme if I everget that far.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: Scott Knowlton
Hello=2C low 'n' slow flyers-I have a bit of news regarding the aluminum hinges that Vi Kapler used to offer for the tail surfaces. Mr. Pietenpol developed the hinges as an improvement on the bent-and-welded steel ones that are shown in the 1932 plans=2C and he then had Vi Kapler make patterns to have them cast and machined. Vi got out of the business a few years ago=2C but I have spoken with him and have obtained the rights to the cast hinges. I hope to have these hinges available again soon=2C through my little business called "Rogue Air Parts". I don't remember what Vi was selling them for but if someone will let me know=2C I'll see what the foundry and machining is going to cost and see if we can hold the price to the same as Vi was asking. I believe the tail control surfaces require a total of 9 pairs of hinges=2C or three per surface.Happy Friday!Oscar ZunigaMedford=2C ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 power ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
I purchased my set from Vi in 2005 for forty bucks. Great deal and great hinges. Glad you have taken the job over Oscar! Now how about those data-plates? Scott K. Burlington Ontario. Sent from my iPhone> On Apr 11, 2014, at 11:55 AM, "Oscar Zuniga" wrote:> > Hello, low 'n' slow flyers-> > I have a bit of news regarding the aluminum hinges that Vi Kapler used to offer for the tail surfaces. Mr. Pietenpol developed the hinges as an improvement on the bent-and-welded steel ones that are shown in the 1932 plans, and he then had Vi Kapler make patterns to have them cast and machined. Vi got out of the business a few years ago, but I have spoken with him and have obtained the rights to the cast hinges. I hope to have these hinges available again soon, through my little business called "Rogue Air Parts". I don't remember what Vi was selling them for but if someone will let me know, I'll see what the foundry and machining is going to cost and see if we can hold the price to the same as Vi was asking. I believe the tail control surfaces require a total of 9 pairs of hinges, or three per surface.> > Happy Friday!> > Oscar Zuniga> Medford, OR> Air Camper NX41CC "Scout"> A75 power> > > > > 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D> ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "Boatright, Jeffrey"
Oscar mine were $60, and I did quite a bit of polishing...Sent from my iPhoneOn Apr 11, 2014, at 10:51 AM, Oscar Zuniga wrote:> Hello, low 'n' slow flyers-> > I have a bit of news regarding the aluminum hinges that Vi Kapler used to offer for the tail surfaces. Mr. Pietenpol developed the hinges as an improvement on the bent-and-welded steel ones that are shown in the 1932 plans, and he then had Vi Kapler make patterns to have them cast and machined. Vi got out of the business a few years ago, but I have spoken with him and have obtained the rights to the cast hinges. I hope to have these hinges available again soon, through my little business called "Rogue Air Parts". I don't remember what Vi was selling them for but if someone will let me know, I'll see what the foundry and machining is going to cost and see if we can hold the price to the same as Vi was asking. I believe the tail control surfaces require a total of 9 pairs of hinges, or three per surface.> > Happy Friday!> > Oscar Zuniga> Medford, OR> Air Camper NX41CC "Scout"> A75 power> > > > > ============================================================================================================================================> ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "William Wynne"
Beautiful cycle...! Love the airplane wheels - ha!--------Jake Schultz - curator,Newport Way Air Museum (OK, it's just my home)Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "Don Emch"
Oscar,I understand the purist calling for a cast hinge, but an engineer like yourselfwith CAD skills may want to consider a different angle:In the last 18 months I have gotten an education in affordable small aircraft partmanufacturing by watching Dan Weseman build the "Panther" single seat steeltube/Al. aerobatic aircraft. They have now sold about 30 kits, and are heavilyinto the manufacturing phase. The kit has dozens of small aluminum parts insidethat all come pre machined, drilled and piloted for rivets on several axises.They are all very affordably made by selecting available 6061-T6 extrusionsand having CNC routers go after them. The parts are actually less expensivethan castings, have a perfect surface finish, and are vastly stronger than castings.Vi's work certainly served countless builders, but you could also offer the designproduced differently, a little more updated and completed.for a look at the Panther and how the detail parts are made, click on this link: http://flywithspa.com/panther.htmlRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: A great Piet-Venture

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
Piet-Ventures are he best! Very cool Douwe!Don EmchNX899DERead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "Douwe Blumberg"
William;Thank you for the comment. A personal note is coming to you off-list, but sufficeit to say that even though the next generation of tail hinges is already indevelopment, I wanted to make sure that the cast ones were available in themeantime.--------Oscar ZunigaMedford, ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 powerRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
Well their marketing people could at least have used some for-real Piet ribs forthe photo ;o)--------Oscar ZunigaMedford, ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 powerRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
Tools=2C et al-If you or any other Piet group is planning to assemble a set of tail feathers at the convention or at a forum or workshop and you think it would be useful to include a set of Kapler hinges in the assembly and fitting=2C I'd be delighted to contribute a set.DISCLAIMER: the tail surface hinges that I am offering are NOT FAA PMA/STCd parts=2C and are offered for recreational=2C educational=2C and experimental use only. I make no claim as to their suitability for anything=2C not even as fishing weights=2C and they are to be used at your own risk only. The fact that aircraft have been successfully built and flown using these hinges for at least a half-century means nothing except that you stand a decent chance of doing the same... but there is no guarantee=2C warranty=2C or any other claim made regarding these parts.Oscar ZunigaMedford=2C ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout" (flying with Kapler hinges)A75 power=2C Culver prop ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "womenfly2"
Today's mail brought me something interesting from Vi. He sent me a small drillingjig, a piece of brass tubing, and an explanation that after 750-1000 hoursthere may be enough wear in the hinges to justify a rework. The drill jig isused to drill the hinge pivot holes out and then some pieces of brass tubingare pressed in as bushings to restore the tight fit between the hinges and thepivot pin.750-1000 hours. This is more flight time than I have in my logbook, and I've beenflying since the 1970s. Vi and many of the "old timers" are not from thethrow-away-and-replace generation, that's for sure.Bottom line, and to continue in Vi's footsteps as much as I can, I'm offering tore-bush any hinges that are out there, if any builder/pilot feels like thereis excessive wear or play in their hinges. I realize that it's not a trivialexercise to remove and reinstall the hinges, but if anyone wants to do that andhave theirs reworked, I'll do it at no charge except for postage. Send yourhinges to-Oscar Zuniga4118 Hemlock Dr.Medford, OR 97504--------Oscar ZunigaMedford, ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 powerRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: Bill
On the cast hinges, what type of cast process is used e.g. sand, permanent die,etc.? What metal is being used? How are they inspected after casting?All this will effect the integrity of the part over time. Are they checked forcracks, inclusions, porosity, etc?Just be very careful everyone and check them well! Cannot beat the sheet steeltype.Just my opinion concerning safety,WF2--------Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Sun, 18 May 2014 09:58:48 -0400

Original Posted By: "curtdm(at)gmail.com"
Check your private messages. I sent you the info.--------Semper Fi,Terry HandAthens, GAUSMC, USMCR, ATPBVD DVD PDQ BBQRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Contact information for Jake Schultz

Original Posted By: "aviken"
I just had a great visit with him Friday. He's making great progress on his plane!--------Curt MerdanFlower Mound, TXRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
I wanted to say thanks for your effort on the hinges.... Seems you get a littlebombarded from time to time with negative comments and suggestions. I calledVi last year to see if any were available and he said he had stopped makingthem. I tried to make he steel ones like on the plans and wasted steel and timeand the holes still wouldn't line up. So I had on hand some nice heavy aircraftextruded piano hinges that I decided to use sections of. I believe theywill be perfectly fine and strong enough.But if I hadn't already installed part of them, I would surely use your new castings.Any way I wanted to give you a pat on the back and an atta boy. KennyRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
Got one based just south of chattanooga. Welcome anytime!Tools, 423 580 1383Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: Ray Krause
Hello, Pieters;I wanted to report that I have just received a new run of aluminum castings forthe Kapler hinges and will soon begin finishing and fabricating them. I haveenough castings to produce at least 20 sets (9 pairs) of hinges, so there shouldbe enough to last for a good while. I will post to the list when I have somesets finished and available to ship out. I do not yet have the final billfrom the foundry, so I can't state a price just yet but will also post that whenI know.These parts carry no STC, PMA, guarantee, or any other approval from anyone orany agency. They are for experimental, home-built aircraft.These parts are individually inspected by me and are hand-finished and hand-madefrom aluminum castings from a foundry here in the U.S. using hand tools andsimple jigs that Vi made by hand many years ago, so no two pairs of hinges willbe alike and no dimensional tolerances will be provided. When I have a coupleof sets completed from this run, I will measure them using ordinary shop instrumentsand will post the dimensions to this list. I will also proof-test arandom representative pair of hinges on the bench to failure and will post thetest results to this list. I may also replace the hinges on my own plane witha set from this run so that I can flight-test them myself, and then re-bushmy old set so I'll know how to properly use the re-bushing tools that Vi providedalong with the other tools and jigging.I do not know which casting alloy the foundry uses to make these parts but I maybe able to deduce that by calculating back to the material tensile strengthafter I run the test to determine the load at failure. I will post that informationto this list once I have it in hand.These parts are essentially exact replacements for the ones that Vi made and soldfor many years, so they should fit in existing tail surfaces with all holesmatching.I will offer refund of purchase price, or exchange for another pair, if a buyerfinds that the parts that they receive are not to their satisfaction after receivingand inspecting them.Thanks.--------Oscar ZunigaMedford, ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 powerRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: "tools"
Update on the latest batch of hinges. I finished up a representative pair of hinges for load testing and rigged up the load testing jig=2C but ran out of daylight before I could run the test. I want to make sure everything is set up properly and can be photographed and documented before I run the test. It's really not anything fancy or esoteric... a lever arm gives me the leverage to develop the required load on the hinges by using a 5 gallon pail that I'm going to fill with wet sand and then weigh after breakage. The last set that Vi tested failed at about 700 lbs of static load=3B no fatigue testing was done and we know that aluminum fatigues but to my knowledge there is no known or reported failure of these hinges and there are a lot of them out there.We expect the single-tab hinge half to be the part that fails since the mating double-tab half has twice as much area to carry its load and the AN3 clevis pin is WAY stronger in shear than the cast aluminum hinge halves are in tension. In Vi's test the single-tab hinge half broke right across the hinge pin axis. I suppose one other possible failure mode is "pull-out"=2C where the pull of the hinge pin against the top of the tab causes it to break and the pin pulls through. My load test should go quickly.I have now used all of the (simple) tools and jigging that Vi used to make the parts in years past=2C and now that he's gone I look at each tool a little bit differently than I did before. His hands were the last ones to touch the tools and jigs before I touched them today. I wish I could have gotten the first set of hinges completed before he died so I could have told him about it=2C but I came pretty close.The first set of hinges from this new run has been promised for a long time to Bob Coolbaugh and Andrew King for the restoration of "Blitzkrieg"=2C with nine other builders' names on the list after them. When they are available and ready to ship=2C I'll post that information here.Oscar ZunigaMedford=2C ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 power=2C Culver prop ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: It is no longer "Lance Captain" Mike Danford

Original Posted By: Ray Krause
Thanks, Oscar. I am the proud user of a set of Vi's hinges. I will never worryabout hinge failure!Ray KrauseSent from my iPad> On Dec 21, 2014, at 2:35 PM, taildrags wrote:> > > I just completed the load test of the latest batch of hinges and am happy to report that they have met or exceeded the strength of the earlier ones that Vi tested. The test sample that Vi sent me had broken at 700 lbs and mine was loaded to over 900 lbs and it never broke. For anyone who is interested, details of my load testing are at http://www.flysquirrel.net/loadtest.html .> > --------> Oscar Zuniga> Medford, OR> Air Camper NX41CC "Scout"> A75 power> > > > > Read this topic online here:> > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... 974#435974> > > > > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Steven Dortch
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: Ray Krause
Oscar. Just curious but what are your thoughts on using those hinges on the ailerons ?Your thoughts?I would doubt the hinges would be exposed to 3000lbs pressure at the ailerons. Naturally I'm thinking 3 hinges per sideThanksJohnSent from my iPhone> On Dec 20, 2014, at 8:18 PM, Oscar Zuniga wrote:> > Update on the latest batch of hinges. I finished up a representative pair of hinges for load testing and rigged up the load testing jig, but ran out of daylight before I could run the test. I want to make sure everything is set up properly and can be photographed and documented before I run the test. It's really not anything fancy or esoteric... a lever arm gives me the leverage to develop the required load on the hinges by using a 5 gallon pail that I'm going to fill with wet sand and then weigh after breakage. The last set that Vi tested failed at about 700 lbs of static load; no fatigue testing was done and we know that aluminum fatigues but to my knowledge there is no known or reported failure of these hinges and there are a lot of them out there.> > We expect the single-tab hinge half to be the part that fails since the mating double-tab half has twice as much area to carry its load and the AN3 clevis pin is WAY stronger in shear than the cast aluminum hinge halves are in tension. In Vi's test the single-tab hinge half broke right across the hinge pin axis. I suppose one other possible failure mode is "pull-out", where the pull of the hinge pin against the top of the tab causes it to break and the pin pulls through. My load test should go quickly.> > I have now used all of the (simple) tools and jigging that Vi used to make the parts in years past, and now that he's gone I look at each tool a little bit differently than I did before. His hands were the last ones to touch the tools and jigs before I touched them today. I wish I could have gotten the first set of hinges completed before he died so I could have told him about it, but I came pretty close.> > The first set of hinges from this new run has been promised for a long time to Bob Coolbaugh and Andrew King for the restoration of "Blitzkrieg", with nine other builders' names on the list after them. When they are available and ready to ship, I'll post that information here.> > Oscar Zuniga> Medford, OR> Air Camper NX41CC "Scout"> A75 power, Culver prop> > > > 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D> ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Jack
John;Why would you want to use the tail style hinges for the ailerons? Piano hingesare the way to go on the ailerons, plus they effectively seal the aileron gap.--------Oscar ZunigaMedford, ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 powerRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: Amsafetyc
The following is cut and paste from the latest AC 43-13-1B. I sent this to AS&Stwo years ago and the glue was removed from their on-line catalog. Their descriptionat the time included reference to aviation use. Now they just lista Federal Spec. Plastic resin glue (urea-formaldehyderesin glue) has been used in wood aircraftfor many years. Caution should be used due topossible rapid deterioration (more rapidly thanwood) of plastic resin glue in hot, moist environmentsand under cyclic swell-shrink stress.For these reasons, urea-formaldehyde shouldbe considered obsolete for all repairs. Anyproposed use of this type adhesive should bediscussed with the appropriate FAA officeprior to using on certificated aircraft.Since we're working under experimental rules, you can use anything you like --hot glue from the craft store or Elmer's glue from Walmart. AC 43-13, like manyof the FAA rules, was written with a mixture of tradition, science and blood.If 43-13 speaks to what I'm doing, I'll listen lest it be my blood on therevision pages.For those interested in epoxies, the following is excerpted from 43-13.(6) Epoxy adhesives are a two-partsynthetic resin product, and are acceptableproviding they meet the requirements of paragraph1-4a. Many new epoxy resin systemsappear to have excellent working properties.They have been found to be much less criticalof joint quality and clamping pressure. Theypenetrate well into wood and plywood. However,joint durability in the presence of elevatedtemperature or moisture is inadequate inmany epoxies. The epoxy adhesives generallyconsist of a resin and a hardener that are mixedtogether in the proportions specified by themanufacturer. Depending on the type of epoxy,pot life may vary from a few minutes toan hour. Cure times vary between products.CAUTION: Some epoxies may haveunacceptable thermal or other hiddencharacteristics not obvious in a shoptest. It is essential that only thoseproducts meeting the requirements ofparagraph 1-4a be used in aircraft repair.Do not vary the resin-to hardenerratio in an attempt to alterthe cure time. Strength, thermal, andchemical resistance will be adverselyaffected. Read and observe materialsafety data. Be sure to follow the adhesivemanufacturers instructions regardingmixing, open and closed curingtime, and usable temperatureranges.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
Hey Tools!Looks like the Angels of the Air have smiled on me, and I have the truck and resourcesto move the piet project. I load the truck next Monday,and I am buildinga crate to move it in. I expect to unload it into my living room of the apartmentI am renting in Nashville, and then drive it down soon after that. My wifeis supportive spouse, but a 15 foot fuse in the living room is pushing myluck [Shocked] I have your phone number, and here is mine in TN: 615-487-9784.Woo Hoo! Many thanks for your kindness, and I look forward to meeting the Tennesseecontingent of the Piet Fliers :DMark RobertsRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
Update on the cast aluminum tail hinges. Monday I'm mailing out John Recine's hinges (thanks for your patience=2C John). Next on the list are Bill Budgell=2C Clay Hammond=2C and John Hofmann=2C if you fellows are still interested in a set. If there is anybody that is desperate to have a set or is completely stalled in your build without them=2C let me know and perhaps someone at the head of the list will give way to you. I currently have 13 people on the waiting list for sets of hinges and I'm woefully behind in delivering them=2C but if I can get some free weekends this summer=2C I can cut the waiting list by half. Maybe the other half will have their hinges for fall and winter building?! I could turn them out twice as fast if I had a helper=2C but it's all hand work and I don't have anyone with the heart or desire or knowledge to help me make them. It's OK though... like the Air Camper=2C I'll get there eventually =3Bo)I am growing to admire Vi Kapler more and more every time I finish a set of these hinges. His jigs and methods are completely true to the 1930s way of doing things=2C especially before we had access to CNC mills=2C molded materials=2C and so much precision machinery in the home workshop. The tooling (if you can call it that) is simple and it is tedious to turn out the parts one at a time. The parts that are produced are completely different from one piece to the next but they are rugged and simple. I do not=2C and cannot=2C finish them to complete polished finality. It would simply take too much time and effort=2C and I find that most Air Camper builders would rather put the finishing touches on things themselves anyway. Although the parts can be used as-is=2C right out of the box=2C with just a little final fitting to make them run freely throughout their arcs once they are pinned and in place they will make the builder much happier with the outcome. I leave them just a bit tight and beefy when I finish them so that they can be filed or ground down to suit the builder in each of the nine different positions where they are mounted on the tail group. It's better to smooth them out with a little filing as you fit them than to wonder how you can remove excess play if I finish them too loose. But like I say=2C anyone can install them in the as-received condition and in just one or two flying seasons they will smooth out nicely if they're a bit tight to begin with.In any case=2C if I sell a set of hinges to anyone who is not happy with them=2C I will gladly take them back and deliver a full refund. Thanks all=2C for your patience.Oscar ZunigaAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"Medford=2C OR ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Dick Navratil - Gone West

Original Posted By: "aerocarjake"
Amphib floats would be more work, Ray. The Muktuk floats are not designed withthe internal bracing to carry axles and all that. I'm sure it could be donethough.I have to hand it to floatplane pilots who only fly on straight floats. You eitherfind water to land on, or you go for what floatplane pilots call an "off-fieldlanding" in a whole nother sense! I think I would look for a field of strawberriesor tomatoes, or something else that was wet and juicy to land in ;o)--------Oscar ZunigaMedford, ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 powerRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Dick Navratil - Gone West

Original Posted By: "CatDesigns"
Wow, this is really sad news. Although I never met him in person, Dick was alwaysvery helpful in discussing his Piet and ROTEC on the phone. Sadly I will nownever get to meet him....--------Jake Schultz - curator,Newport Way Air Museum (OK, it's just my home)Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: Marcus Zechini
When I arrived (by car again, sigh) early Saturday morning it was foggy andcold at Frazier Lake airport so I drove back over the hill into the sunshineat Los Banos thinking I would find Gary Boothe waiting for the fog to clear.Sure enough as I pulled into the parking lot at the airport there he was(Picture 1). What you can't see in the picture were the four RV-somethingsparked near him. As each pilot walked out to his plane they stopped to lookand take pictures of Gary's plane. I'm guessing they were all wishing theycould fly something as cool as a Pietenpol. After a bit Gary received hislaunch orders (Picture 2) from his forward observer, Scott Liefeld, who wasat Frazier Lake manning the forward observation trailer. So our intrepidaviator donned his flight gear and launched in the sky blue (Picture 3). Nowyou should know that for two years Gary has been trying to get his plane toFrazier Lake but both times something has prevented him from making it. Butnot this year, he finally made it! (Picture 4). His plane was a greataddition to the lineup that also featured Charley Miller's and Mike and VicGroah's plane (Picture 5). Picture 6 shows how nice Gary's plane looks in amore appropriate Pietenpol setting than the typical California asphalt thathe typically flies from. Just before sunset the wind died down and Gary andMike went flying (Picture 7) Mike's smoke system sure makes a lot of smoke.Some videos of the two flying (yes I should have gotten closer)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwHNidt ... JRkX5lmUIt was a smaller than normal turnout in planes but that might have been dueto the AM fog and afternoon wind (and some rain around other parts ofCalifornia). Regardless we all had a good time meeting old and new friendsand making up excuses for why we are still not done building our ownPietenpol (ok maybe it was just me doing that last part). Thanks again to Charley Miller and his wife, and to Mike Groah, his wife,daughter, father and mother for putting together another great West Coastgathering. Hopefully we will see some of you in 2016.ChrisSacramento, CAWestcoastPiet.com________________________________________________________________________________Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2015 06:54:03 -0400Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: Dick Navratil - Gone West

Original Posted By: helspersew(at)aol.com
Hello again, Oscar. I need a set of (9) hinges also for my tail. Are you stillproducing them. Let me know the details and thank you very much,Vincent Dunn--------Vincent DunnSalem Oregonvincentkdunn(at)yahoo.comRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2017 06:34:04 -0500

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
No steaming here. It's best to orient the grain flat (horizontal) though,to lessen the possibility of cracking. Not too big an issue but possible.Used50"X50" sheets of birch ply so sides are scarfed 2".ClifBacon - The duct tape of the kitchen. 1. Did not steam longerons 2. Used one full piece ply Dan Helsper Loensloe Airfield Puryear, TN________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: Claude Corbett
Vincent;I guess you could say I'm still producing them, but not at a very fast pace. I'mfinishing up three sets today that will bring the waiting list to less than25 on the waiting list now. I am not offering them in ready-to-install conditionanymore, but I do all of the rough shaping and the operations that requirejigs (drilling/countersinking the base mounting holes and cross-drilling theholes for the hinge pins). The cost for a set of 9 pairs of hinges in this conditionis $45 USD, postage paid in the US. However, I do not take depositsor prepayments... you only pay when your parts ship.I have found that I can turn out 3 sets of these semi-finished hinges in a weekend,so even if I worked at cranking them out every weekend, I would still bea couple of months behind. Unfortunately, I rarely have any time off these daysso it's just a hit-or-miss affair. Plus my work area is outdoors so when theweather is bad, I'm not motivated to get out there and stand at the workbenchfor hours at a time. But I'm nibbling away at the list.--------Oscar ZunigaMedford, ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 power, 72x36 Culver propRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: "Douwe Blumberg"
There are 26 on the list. Hope I'm still alive when you finish my set.CorkySent from my iPad> On Mar 5, 2017, at 5:15 PM, taildrags wrote:> > > Vincent;> > I guess you could say I'm still producing them, but not at a very fast pace.I'm finishing up three sets today that will bring the waiting list to less than25 on the waiting list now. I am not offering them in ready-to-install conditionanymore, but I do all of the rough shaping and the operations that requirejigs (drilling/countersinking the base mounting holes and cross-drilling theholes for the hinge pins). The cost for a set of 9 pairs of hinges in thiscondition is $45 USD, postage paid in the US. However, I do not take depositsor prepayments... you only pay when your parts ship.> > I have found that I can turn out 3 sets of these semi-finished hinges in a weekend,so even if I worked at cranking them out every weekend, I would still bea couple of months behind. Unfortunately, I rarely have any time off thesedays so it's just a hit-or-miss affair. Plus my work area is outdoors so whenthe weather is bad, I'm not motivated to get out there and stand at the workbenchfor hours at a time. But I'm nibbling away at the list.> > --------> Oscar Zuniga> Medford, OR> Air Camper NX41CC "Scout"> A75 power, 72x36 Culver prop> > > > > Read this topic online here:> > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... 903#466903> > > > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "wheelharp"
Pat,I renewed at the fly-in last year but haven't received any newsletters. Was John able to put any out since then? If need be I'll send in a new renewal, but would appreciate it if you could check and see if I show as having renewed last year.Thanks,Darrel Jones358 Patten St.Sonoma, CA 95476Pfeifer Sport N154JPOn 3/5/2017 5:48 PM, pweeden wrote:>> Howdy all. Some of you may have heard that the Brodhead Pietenpol Associationhas changed hands. A group of us at Brodhead Airport have agreed to take thereins from John Hofmann and have committed to publishing four newsletters peryear, along with planning the annual Pietenpol Reunion at Brodhead Airport.>> A new website is up, and while it is still being built out with content, youcan go there to join or renew your membership, download selected back issues ofthe newsletter and join other builders and enthusiasts in the discussion board.>> http://www.pietenpols.org>> The discussion board is a new feature meant to bring a much updated version ofthe Matronics board back to the "mothership." Also, we are starting to scanmany of the original newsletters from the early 1970s and 80s that are full ofgood information from the old-timers.>> As always, we appreciate any information, articles, photos, ideas and generalgossip that you all can provide for the newsletter. Contact information at thewebsite.>> Thanks to John Hofmann for his work over the past several years.>>> Read this topic online here:>> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "pweeden"
Oscar, do you have any photos of the process of making the hinges, and what typeof aluminum do you use for casting? I have a charcoal fired foundry for anotherproject, and thought of casting my hinges when the time comes. I know youprobably really enjoy making them, and are taking in massive piles of cash at$45 a set, but..... : )--------Jon JonesIronton, MORead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "(null) raykrause"
Darrel,Just checked the membership list I inherited and you are paid through 3rd quarterof this year. You should have received John's last newsletter within the pastweek or so. If you don't get it soon let me know at bpa(at)pietenpols.org.Pat WeedenDarrel Jones wrote:> Pat,> > I renewed at the fly-in last year but haven't received any newsletters. > Was John able to put any out since then? If need be I'll send in a new > renewal, but would appreciate it if you could check and see if I show as > having renewed last year.> > Thanks,> Darrel Jones> 358 Patten St.> Sonoma, CA 95476> Pfeifer Sport N154JP> > Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: Steven Dortch
Pat,Would you please check out my subscription for me. I tried to check with John, but got no response. Since I have not received any newsletters for quitesome time, I assume I'm not paid up. I would love to pay up and even purchasethe last year's worth of letters.Thanks,Ray Krause843 Jay StreetColusa, CA95932Sent from my iPad> On Mar 5, 2017, at 6:55 PM, pweeden wrote:> > > Darrel,> > Just checked the membership list I inherited and you are paid through 3rd quarterof this year. You should have received John's last newsletter within thepast week or so. If you don't get it soon let me know at bpa(at)pietenpols.org.> > Pat Weeden> > > Darrel Jones wrote:>> Pat,>> >> I renewed at the fly-in last year but haven't received any newsletters. >> Was John able to put any out since then? If need be I'll send in a new >> renewal, but would appreciate it if you could check and see if I show as >> having renewed last year.>> >> Thanks,>> Darrel Jones>> 358 Patten St.>> Sonoma, CA 95476>> Pfeifer Sport N154JP>> >> > > > > > > Read this topic online here:> > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... 911#466911> > > > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: New piet builders forumOK boys (and Kerri Ann), I registered on the new BPA forum.Come on in! The water is fine!Blue Skies,Steve D________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "pweeden"
'wheelharp'-I do not make the castings myself... I have them cast in batches as needed, bya secret source somewhere in middle America to which I'm very grateful for makingparts that could possibly go into experimental airplanes but then again mightjust be hinges for handmade jewelry boxes. If you know what I mean. I'mjust not sure that my source will still be available next time I'm out of castings.I would be happy to send you some of my reject castings to examine if you're interestedin making your own molds and parts... just let me know. Happy to letyou tap into the millions of dollars that are out there to be made, easy money,hand-fabricating hinges for Air Camper tail surfaces. I'm easily on my secondmillion already (hours, not dollars ;o)I have no idea which specific alloy is used in the castings but from load testingit and machining it I can tell you that it's tough, strong, and just a bitbrittle. I think it's A380 but don't know for sure. It is good material forthese parts. You can see the general steps of how the parts are made from therough castings here:http://www.flysquirrel.net/RogueAir/hinges.html . You can see the results of my load testing of a set of the hinges here:http://www.flysquirrel.net/loadtest.html . They are very stout pieces, and quite a bit of the rough cast surfaces can be machined and polished away to make them pretty without diminishing their strength very much, but not much was done to the ones on my airplane to pretty them up and the only thing I would do if I had the time and inclination would be to square up the faces of the two outer tabs so that the head of the clevis pin and washer under the cotter pin on the other end of it would fit flat and square. I think if I did this, I could get clevis pins that might be one AN-dash size shorter than the ones that are on there now and save perhaps a gram of weight out there on the tail ;o)--------Oscar ZunigaMedford, ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 power, 72x36 Culver propRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Douwe Blumberg"
Hi Ray,I'm not seeing you on the membership list at all. If you can join up again, I'llsend the most recent newsletter.PatRay Krause wrote:> Pat,> > Would you please check out my subscription for me. I tried to check with > John, but got no response. Since I have not received any newsletters for quitesome time, I assume I'm not paid up. I would love to pay up and even purchasethe last year's worth of letters.> > Thanks,> Ray Krause> 843 Jay Street> Colusa, CA95932> Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: "Charles N. Campbell"
Oscar,Thanks for all the info! The link to your hinge making process is over the top.I really appreciate your tireless contributions to the Pietenpol (and aviationin general) community. I always look forward to your posts, and BECAUSE youare such a nice guy, I will NOT be going into mass production of Mr. Kapler'shinges : )Seriously though, one thing that really stood out to me was your numbers relatingto hinge weight moment (requiring 18lbs of fuel to counter) This really driveshome the point of watching every single ounce of weight in the tail feathers!Jon--------Jon JonesIronton, MORead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: "Douwe Blumberg"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Brodhead Pietenpol AssociationThe new program still will not recognize my password. Maybe it's toocomplicated for the new forum. I give up !!!!!!!!! chuckiebabyOn Sun, Mar 5, 2017 at 8:48 PM, pweeden wrote:> pweeden(at)weedengraphics.com>>> Howdy all. Some of you may have heard that the Brodhead Pietenpol> Association has changed hands. A group of us at Brodhead Airport have> agreed to take the reins from John Hofmann and have committed to publishing> four newsletters per year, along with planning the annual Pietenpol Reunion> at Brodhead Airport.>> A new website is up, and while it is still being built out with content,> you can go there to join or renew your membership, download selected back> issues of the newsletter and join other builders and enthusiasts in the> discussion board.>> http://www.pietenpols.org>> The discussion board is a new feature meant to bring a much updated> version of the Matronics board back to the "mothership." Also, we are> starting to scan many of the original newsletters from the early 1970s and> 80s that are full of good information from the old-timers.>> As always, we appreciate any information, articles, photos, ideas and> general gossip that you all can provide for the newsletter. Contact> information at the website.>> Thanks to John Hofmann for his work over the past several years.>>> Read this topic online here:>> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
Hey Tools!ToolStock this year???Barry DavisNX973BP________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges

Original Posted By: "Douwe Blumberg"
Jon;I will admit to using the example of CG impact of the weight of the complete setof tail surface hinges vs. fuel in the tank for dramatic effect, but it doesdrive home the point. No matter what a builder uses for hinges back there, it'sgoing to weigh something but you can at least be aware of what's going outon the tail and try to keep it light. On my airplane, the approximate momentarm from the datum to the tail surface hinge location is about +164" and themoment arm from the datum to the fuel location in the nose is about -4" so youcan see that there is about a 40:1 advantage to anything that goes out on thetail compared to things that go out in front of the wing. Pretty much anythingyou do in the front cockpit, landing gear, or rear cockpit instrument panelwill not affect the CG much at all but will affect the gross weight. If youhave your fuel in the wing centersection, the CG will not shift noticeably withfuel burn. Whatever you do with a passenger or with baggage that you placein the front cockpit will not affect CG but will affect gross weight. The frontcockpit is a magical area... things that you put in it don't affect the CG,but getting anything into it is a magic trick in itself ;o)In my airplane (16 gal. nose tank), after I fuel up I have to hold back stick forat least the first hour after topping off. For the second hour or so, everythingis nicely balanced because fuel has burned off and the slight nose heavinesseases off and the altimeter doesn't seem to want to keep unwinding on me.After that, I don't even notice the stick pressure because I'm too focusedon the (float-and-rod) fuel gauge and am looking for a rest stop ;o)--------Oscar ZunigaMedford, ORAir Camper NX41CC "Scout"A75 power, 72x36 Culver propRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: "womenfly2"
Hey all,Just started a thread on the new BPA webpage. in the photo section under"non-historical" air camper & Sky Scout photos. let's all start postingphotos of our finished airplanes there along with some info about it andover time it should become a real fascinating resource and inspiration forall.Douwe________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: New piet builders forum

Original Posted By: Scott Knowlton
Joined! ... KAP --------Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: "(null) raykrause"
Me too.Scott K> On Mar 8, 2017, at 8:23 AM, womenfly2 wrote:> > > Joined! ... > > KAP > > --------> > > > > > > Read this topic online here:> > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... 005#467005> > > > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "pjb"
Oscar,I did not see your write up on the effect of the weight of the hinges on the CGthat was referenced in this series. Could you send it to me? I really enjoy yourwritings.I'm sure I understand what it must have said because I'm dealing with the CG ofmy SkyScout....fun!Thanks,Ray KrauseSent from my iPad> On Mar 7, 2017, at 9:24 PM, taildrags wrote:> > > Jon;> > I will admit to using the example of CG impact of the weight of the completeset of tail surface hinges vs. fuel in the tank for dramatic effect, but it doesdrive home the point. No matter what a builder uses for hinges back there,it's going to weigh something but you can at least be aware of what's going outon the tail and try to keep it light. On my airplane, the approximate momentarm from the datum to the tail surface hinge location is about +164" and themoment arm from the datum to the fuel location in the nose is about -4" so youcan see that there is about a 40:1 advantage to anything that goes out on thetail compared to things that go out in front of the wing. Pretty much anythingyou do in the front cockpit, landing gear, or rear cockpit instrument panelwill not affect the CG much at all but will affect the gross weight. If youhave your fuel in the wing centersection, the CG will not shift noticeably withfuel burn. Whatever you do with a passenger or wi!> th baggage that you place in the front cockpit will not affect CG but will affectgross weight. The front cockpit is a magical area... things that you putin it don't affect the CG, but getting anything into it is a magic trick in itself;o)> > In my airplane (16 gal. nose tank), after I fuel up I have to hold back stickfor at least the first hour after topping off. For the second hour or so, everythingis nicely balanced because fuel has burned off and the slight nose heavinesseases off and the altimeter doesn't seem to want to keep unwinding onme. After that, I don't even notice the stick pressure because I'm too focusedon the (float-and-rod) fuel gauge and am looking for a rest stop ;o)> > --------> Oscar Zuniga> Medford, OR> Air Camper NX41CC "Scout"> A75 power, 72x36 Culver prop> > > > > Read this topic online here:> > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... 991#466991> > > > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: New piet builders forum

Original Posted By: "pjb"
Me too !PatriciaRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: New piet builders forum

Original Posted By: "taildrags"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: OT testimonial for Schweis bifold doorsWhat is the cost of the conversion?Not on this years list but perhaps. I hear they are much smoother.On Wed, Mar 8, 2017 at 7:40 PM, dgaldrich wrote:> dgaldrich(at)embarqmail.com>>> Hey Steve>> I too have a Miracle Span hangar with their in-house supplied door. A> previous owner did the same thing you did and it trashed the gearbox so you> can consider yourself lucky. I agree that Schweiss is an excellent company> to deal with. They offered me a retrofit kit to convert my door to the> later straps in lieu of the cables. Haven't decided if it's worth the $$$> yet.>> Dave>>> Read this topic online here:>> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... 467072>>-- Blue Skies,Steve D________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Vi Kapler hinges