Buckeye Pietenpol Association
Newsletter:

Mailbag and musings . . . Issue #52, BPAN

James Sylling (317 N. Elm, Mabel, MN 55954) wrote us in January: It is time again to renew my membership in the Pietenpol Association. I am not much in letter writing. I have thought about making a tape and sending it to you about my time spent with Bernie and Don Finke. I am sending an old newspaper clipping about a plane that was built here in Mabel. I flew this Model plane a lot. I built up the Model ÔA' in this airplane. The whole engine cost about $100.00. I am 87 years old now. My eyesight is failing, it is hard for me to follow lines. I had two Velie Monocoupes - 1929 models. It was a lot of fun. Several Aeroncas, Piper Cubs, Taylorcrafts. Thank you, James A. Sylling.

LeRoy Opdyke (13535 N. 155th Avenue E, Collinsville OK 74021) wrote in January - ''Would you believe we will have six Piets on our field by the middle of the year -- Opdyke, Klebs, White, Cash, Ballew and Cerber. Kevin Helf has his plane going and may come with us this year. Not sure yet how many will make it.

Heard from John L, Becker (1816 Roberts Road, Wilmington IL 60481) back in January. He's the fellow who now owns N935TV. ''Had a good summer of flying. It is now based at Morris Mun. Airport, Morris, IL. Good restaurant there and great bunch of guys, too. The ship (a GN-1) flies a little tail heavy because I'm now pushing 230 lbs. I have a 15 pound chunk of lead that I intend to mount up by the firewall to counteract the lead my Daddy always said was in my rear end. But being a card-carrying fully practicing coward, if someone knows of any reasons I should not do so, please let me know. I would not want to splatter the above-mentioned lead all over the countryside. Hope to see you all at Brodhead in 1996. John

Jim Gagnier (1420 S. Gilbuck St., Anaheim CA 92802) sent us an article from the Chapter 494 January '96 newsletter; The Pietenpol project is humming right along. Two rib building sessions were organized by Rich Seifert in Dec/Jan and 8 wing ribs were completed. That brings our rib count to nine.''

... please sign me up for the Buckeye Pietenpol Association. Haven't really got started building much yet but I do have an old set of Air Camper plans I purchased from Mr. Pietenpol back in 1977. He wrote a little note thanking me for the order (neat momento!) I am looking forward to the newsletters and also interested in any back ones if they are available. Thanks! Jim Montgomery (P.0. Box 68913 Seattle, WA 98168-0913) P.S. I am not a typist & my $25 Boeing Surplus typesmasher skips a little! (Who is? gem)

Jack Phillips (1421 Zeno Road, Apex NC 27502) wrote January 10, 1996 - ''Dear Mr. MacLaren, I have recently ordered a set of Air Camper plans from Don Pietenpol and intend to start building a Pietenpol as soon as I can get some workbenches constructed. I wish to join the BPA as I'm sure I will have lots of problems in building the ship, and can use some advice from you and your members. - I have not finished a homebuilt before. I started on a Pitts Special once but sold the project after completing the welding of the fuselage. I have completely rebuilt a Piper J-3 Cub, so am no stranger to dope and fabric. I decided on a Pietenpol because its flying characteristics are very similar to that old Cub, and l like the lines of the airplane. I flew one once, back in 1976, and found it an honest airplane. I've got about 600 hours, nearly all of it in taildraggers. I'm also a member of EAA - I intend to power my plane with a 65 Continental, since I'm quite familiar with that engine. I also plan to use wire wheels (with brakes) and a steerable tailwheel. I hope to complete it in three years or less, but know how that sort of thing goes (just rebuilding that Cub took me over three years). - I am enclosing a check for $10.00 please start my membership in the Buckeye Pietenpol Association and begin sending your quarterly newsletter. Best Regards!''

Tom Brown (501 E. 4th Street, Tucson AZ 85705) joined us last November, writes '' ... thoroughly enjoyed the BPA newsletters. It seems like you fellows are having a great time with your hobby. I am looking forward to being a part of those fun things. (You're right, Tom -- and we couldn't have this much fun with the newsletter without guys like you É gem)

Mick O'Donnell (PO Box 21, Southwest City, MO 64863) is now building a Rag Wing Mini-bipe; his dream has been to build a Piet since reading Air Progress Homebuilt Annual in 1965. He says ''I now know that I'm going to build one!''

T-18, now Piet builder Harlo R. McKinty (101 Rainbow Dr., #1697, Livingston TX 77351-9330) said in January: ''I've got my table layed out, ready to lay out the steel fuselage, and some of the other necessary shop tools to get on with the project. My work space for the fuselage is 16 feet x 42", but it's adequate~ I hope; there's more space behind the motorhome for other things. I'll weld up the sides here and complete the assembly in the hanger in NE this summer. Charlie Rubeck was a lot of help when we stopped by in IN this fall.

Hans J. Danielsen (Rugdevei 11, 1364 Hvalstad NORWAY) Jan. 10 1996 '' É As you may recall I was a member up to a couple of years ago, but was (unfortunately) diverted to other sides of sport aviation. Among other things to care for my beloved Grunau Baby vintage glider, and being tempted (lo- and behold) to look to modern types, like the Glastar, etc. But having had a real discussion with myself - I've come to the conclusion that the only bird I want to build is a Pietenpol. Consequently I've already sent for plans from Don P. I would also like to visit the Brodehead fly-in next summer in connection with a trip to Oshkosh - to really get inspiration! Hope to see you there.''

Lou Larsen (457 Wekiva Cove Road, Longwood FL 32779-5635) writes ''finally things are coming together. First, I retired last February 28 (that'd be '95); still doing a little consulting (construction engineering). I bought a set of plans from Don Pietenpol in November and have just (this week) started cutting wood (wing rib components). I'm also doing a little ''sub-contract work'' fabricating ailerons for an OX Travelaire for Bud Rogers (A&E) who is building it at Sanford Airport. For me it's an opportunity to work with someone who knows what he's doing. He rebuilt a Curtiss Robin and a Cabinaire. - After I contacted Randy Bruce for you a year ago, I met him at an antique aircraft fly-in at Bob White Field ( a grass field in Zellwood, FL near here. I used to keep my '49 Piper PA-16 Clipper there before I sold it in '91.) Randy didn't have his Piet there though. But Allan Wise showed up in his. - In November I attended the two day ''Introduction to Aircraft Building Workshop'' at the Sun Ôn Fun site in Lakeland, FL; put on by Alexander Aero from Griffin, GA. It was an interesting course. - Just started researching a source for a Ford ''A'' engine; there may be one right here in my area so I'm going to track them down. Look forward to the next issue of the newsletter. Best regards, Lou.

Peter Dunn (85 Telopea Street, Redfern 2016) AUSTRALIA wrote in January: Project in early stages but progressing - many steel parts fabricated, have taken delivery of spruce kit from Western Supplies and rebuild of ''A'' model engine 50% complete. Thank you and hope to make it to Brodhead this year.''

Larry Williams (3266 Madonna Dr., Edgewood KY 41017-2626) wrote in January - ''Low-tech airplane builders = low-tech message transmission methods. Actually, I tried to go on-line but my old Macintosh won't handle it. (I don't know of a Mac that won't hack such a simple task. I had a ''Plus'' and used it for network access. gem) Got to work on a trade-in or try to figure out how to get a new capable machine. - I had occasion to be in Madison, WI with nothing to do so É chanced a call to Bill Rewey. Within twenty minutes he picked me up at my motel and we were on our way to his Piet hangar. We had a wonderful time together and I was impressed with just what a gentle and giving man he is. He volunteers at a shop class at the local high school and they are building an airplane. He's selling the same idea for airplane #2 (a RagWing I think). He was going on some sort of volunteer charity when he dropped me off and as he drove away I saw a bumper sticker announcing that he had donated over seventy-five gallons of blood. All that, yet he had the time to provide a lonely pilot on layover a terrific afternoon. If anyone gets my vote as BPA ambassador it's Bill Rewey. It makes me proud to be on the same membership role as he. - Item #2 - My dad sent me a letter saying that he visited a museum in Rio Hondo, TX that has a Pietenpol with a Lambert 5 cylinder 90 hp radial on its nose. He says it was built by a guy in CA and is painted as a WWI German fighter. (Yuck!) Anyway, another point to frequent if anyone is in greater downtown Rio Hondo. - Still struggling to get the new house all straightened out. Why-oh-why can't I shed all the Ôstuff' and just work on my Piet. PS Bill Rewey has an engineer friend who is scaling Piet plans up by 10% to accommodate our larger brethern.''

January, 1996 - ''Dear Grant, É we purchased the spruce from Oshkosh Home Building. We planed it, ripped it and now have the longerons, wing spars and miscellaneous pieces. We have ordered the rib caps, plywood and epoxy from Wicks. I'll keep you informed as to how we are progressing. Sincerely, John Biege (802 7th Street, NW, Austin MN 55912) PS - We have one side of the fuselage nearly done and have ordered a Corvair engine from Vi Kapler (1033 Forest Hills Dr., SW, Rochester MN 55902).

Heard from Tim & Joe Sefcik (764 Baltimore, Valparaiso IN 46383) in January. No word on their nearly-complete ship.

Joe Ramotowski (125 De Vaca Dr., Universal City TX 78148) joined us in February.

We heard from Jim Sewar (9079 Chestnut Ridge Road, Middleport NY 14105-9616) in early February. He has a new address, and his Piet is about half done.

Long-time BPA member George Fairfield (Box 257, Solon Springs WI 54873) hasn't made much progress for several years; intends to ''restart the project soon.''

''Dear Grant, Please find enclosed cheque ( thats the Australian spelling!) for US$30 being membership dues to 1997. Many thanks for a great publication with the Newsletter. I think you do a tremendous job with it and I eagerly look forward to each issue. Progress on my Pietenpol? Pretty good, I think. Ribs completed (for the three piece wing), tailplane construction complete, two fuselage sides completed and currently building up the fuselage. I have managed to acquire a Super Cub landing gear and will adapt that to the Piet. I am sure I read somewhere that Piper lift struts could be used. Is this correct? Kind regards to you and your family, Grant. Pietenpols,blue skies and tailwinds. Yours Sincerely, Peter R. Knowles (4 Nottingham Drive, Port MacQuarie NSW 2444 AUSTRALIA)

''Grant, Hello - I'm new to the newsletter but hope to enjoy it as much as I enjoy the Piet. You don't know me but Tim & Joe Sefcik are good friends of mine. Tim said to mention I know him in any letter I decide to write. ÔNuf said! Anyway, I have recently purchased Will Dunham's Piet and hope to have it at Brodhead ASAP. I do not have my ticket yet but am working on it. I met Tim while looking for someone to teach me how to carve propellers; Tim fit the bill. The more we talked, the more I realized the Piet was for me. I have loved this type of flying forever, like most of us. Hope to see you @ Brodhead!! Steve'' - Steven C. Mourer (157 S. Michigan #6, Valparaiso IN 46383)

Subj: Pietenpol Party - Hello Grant, I'm not sure I'm getting through to you on email. Just learning how to use it. Wanted to let you know our Pietenpol mid-winter break on the 10th was a success. There was plenty of good food, and drink. I made a special dish for Earl Luce from Brockport, NY. He's a good friend of Tom Bowdler and an avid Tailwind builder. The dish was Moose Paprikash with egg noodles. Got some good building tips from all the Pietenpol builders which I've already started to implement. One was to scallop the support for the rear turtle deck and another was to add a support in the tail due to the leaf spring I'm using. This support will carry the stress through from the lower longerons to the upper longerons. This added support probably saved me a later disaster fix. There were about 30 people present, only a handfull of people didn't show. Next year Jack and Jane Watson will hold it. Ônough for now and let me know if I'm getting through. Pitenpols forever, Domenico Bellissimo (34 Westhumber Blvd., Etobicoke Ontario M9W 3M6)

Tim Kevern (6313 Davis Rd., Waxhaw NC 28173-8406) tells us he ''really enjoyed the newsletter last year.''

''Finally something went just pretty good! You remember I had told you about having an oversize hole for my compass? I thought about this for a long time, and would stop and look at the instrument board from time to time and just ponder what to do about it. Finally I developed an idea recently and started working on it last night. I cut an oval or more eliptical shaped bezel from a piece of 18 or 19 gauge sheet brass. It is 4 1/2'' wide by 3" tall. I cut a hole for my compass right in the center of it with my fly cutter and drilled the compass mounting holes. I put it on the front of the instrument board and the compass in back and mounted it with brass pan head machine screws. Wow! What a look! Not only does it cover the ragged space around the compass, it changes the whole look of the instrument board! (and) this mod didn't cost anything -- made the pattern from a piece of posterboard, then wandered next door to my neighbor the junk collector and asked him if he had an old brass push plate or kick plate or something like that. He dug around almost right where we were standing and came up with this scrap piece cut off from making a kick plate for a bar or something. Perfect!'' John Greenlee (1656 Ardath, Wichita Falls TX 76301-6148)

2/15/96 Charles Trevena (2 Winegarden Ct., O'Fallon MO 63366) played host to Howard Henderson (444 Bryan, St. Louis MO 63122) and me today. Charlie gave us a tour of his well-equipped basement shop where, it is quite obvious, a Ford-powered Pietenpol is waiting to happen. Howard and I sure enjoyed being with Charlie - and we were really impressed with his shop; especially his plasma-cutter -- a handy little device that cuts sheet metal fast and neat at 25,000 degrees F! Charlie gave us a demo - and produce a horn blank in about twenty seconds! BUT, later he wrote ''I cut a couple of the steel parts yesterday with the plasma cutter. Just like cutting butter but guess what? The cut line becomes tempered and filing or sanding is just about impossible. If I use the plasma on 4130 I'll have to normalize the parts before I can finish them. I guess I'll go back to the band saw.

2/10/96 - Grant: ... my address will change to Paul A. Sherman (6321 Masthead Dr., Madison, WI 53705) My Ford ''A'' should be in my shop by the end of this month. Lucky for me I found an ''A'' parts supply house about ten miles from here. They had six or seven blocks on hand, one of which I purchased for $50.00. The rebuild looks like its going to amount to $1,500.00 with most of the conversions done. Don't know if that is a reasonable price or not, but we can't cry over spilt milk now. (I'd say that's a very reasonable price, Paul É gem)

2/10/96 - Thanks to the EAA magazine (Sport Aviatin - Feb '96, page 10) I was able to learn about your organization and pull up your home page using America OnLine. Enclosed please find a check for membership in your organization as well as for a large t-shirt. My partner, Keith Anderson, and I have recently purchased N30PP, a modified GN-1 Aircamper. I can't tell you too much about it, since I haven't seen it yet! Walter F. Costa of Riverside, California has sold me a 75 h.p. Continental powered ship built by Charles Orcutt in 1986. It has Cub landing gear and has a nice hook-up for a portable radio. We're lucky to have a new grass extension of our runway at Naples Municipal (APF), and I'm sure it will be a perfect match for the Aircamper. Keith and I intend to bring it back from California along I-10 March 15, 1996. We'll have an RV as a rolling support vehicle, and have one week for the trip. We're excited about the trip and looking forward to the enjoyment we'll have in Southwest Florida, where we're blessed with VFR all year around. If any of the membership have any suggestions about the route of flight or flying an Aircamper, I'd appreciate hearing from them. I've never been west of Dallas, nor have I ever flown an Aircamper before, so anything you have to say or suggest is news to me! I'm especially interested in flying tips about the L.A. Basin and mountain passes. Obviously, any other tips about the route of flight, we're all ears. I can be reached at LXAmato@aol.com I haven't figured our how to complete a home page, yet, but I'm going to get around to it soon. Keith has many years of flying under his belt, including real taildraggers like D-18s and DC-3s. and has recently restored a Super Cruiser. I've had a Cub and currently have a Stearman. Louis X. Amato (350 Fifth Ave., South, Suite 200 Naples FL 33940) In March Louis emailed: I mentioned that my partner, Keith Anderson, and I had purchased a modified Piet with a 75 Continental from Walt Costa from Corona, CA. (N30PP) We picked it up Saturday and it was perfect in all respects as represented by Walt. Keith, a 10,000 hour pilot, was kind enough to let me do the flying and he drove the RV, our mobile FBO. Six days, 21 stops, and 35 hours later we had our pride and joy in Naples, Florida. The weather was great (literally not even a cloud until Tampa), with the exception of constant wind from Tuscon to Naples. Luckily, the Piet with J 3 landing gear is a great cross wind landing airplane. I only wasted one runway light the whole trip! We're looking forward to taking ''Partpiet'' up and down the beaches in S.W. Florida. Hope to see you all at Sun' n Fun.''

Neil Davisdon (Box 490, Marysville, B.C. Canada V0B 1Z0) just joined us; he was surprised to see photos of himself and his first Piet in issue #50, page 11. (The upper right photo is captioned incorrectly - that's Neil on right.) Anyway, Neil first flew VUU June 28, 1967, and wonders why he can remember that date, but sometimes forgets his wedding anniversary. Neil is building another Air Camper -- this time with Ford-power, no brakes and wire wheels. At 4200', he figures he'll need a bit more hp than the stock ''A'' will provide, so has been investigating ways to hop up one of the two ''B's'' he owns. He's a machinist, and been in touch with a number of us - Lowell Frank (PO Box 581, Okauchee WI 53069), Howard Henderson (444 Bryan, St. Louis MO 63122), my ''A''-expert neighbor Terry Oberer, etc. Neil's second Piet will be ''to the plans'' with a bit more power. It'll be a Ford powered Air Camper. (more herein from Neil gem)

Scott Dufreche (512 Heneretta Drive, Hurst TX 76054) sent some email in February: ''My Piet is on the gear and the elevator and rudder cables have been connected. Now that the gear is done I hope to make faster progress this summer.''

Ron Jenkins (RR 2, Box 488, Brewer ME 04412) reports he will be starting an Air Camper (w/3 piece wing) in mid-March '96. He plans to power it with a Continental O-200.

Late February, '96 - ''Eight or nine years ago I was visiting a few of the dowtown lumber yards looking for some nice fir to build the Pietenpol. While browsing thru the Fahleg Box Co a friendly fellow, who happened to be a pilot, showed me a new pile of lumber and permitted me to look all through it for the select pieces I would need. Out of a pile three ft. high and 4 ft. wide I was able to obtain about five pieces sufficient to build the spars and longerons. Last nite the entire Yard went up in flames -- probably an arsonist. They have insurance and intend to rebuild. Howard Henderson.

''Thanks for the great Piet info on the Internet É I'm in the process of building a Rag Wing Piet Sky Scout imitation É good practice before building the full size one. Hope to have it flying this fall, then it's on to the full size one.'' Brad Schultz (22179 Breezeswept Ave. Pt. Charlotte FL 33952)

Robert Morris (20519 K Rd., Holton KS 66436) joined us in February.

Welcome to Kenneth Parker (904 Goshen Rd., Pollocksville NC 28573), who has an Air Camper under construction.

Neil Davidson wrote in February: Thank you for sending the back issues of BPAN -- very surprised to see photos of my own Piet from Wendell Hughes. Haven't seen Wendell for 26 years (wonderful fellow). Changes in captions: that's me on ''right.'' VUU first flew June 28, '67. I remember that date but somehow forget our anniversary! Enclosed you will find a checque in the amt. $4.00 to bring us up to speed with the subscription increase. Wendell sent a copy of your Pietenpol Notebook. I found it very interesting and helpful. You've obviously put a lot of time and effort in putting it together. Thank you. Best regards, Neil Davidson

Dear Grant, Nice talking to you again. É enclosed is a photo of my project as of January 25 1996. I have since finished. Painted and installed adjustable cabane diagonals, rudder and elevator horns (formed and welded per plans, several instruments and all control cables including tailwheel steering. I tied in the tailwheel steering cables to the rudder cables just aft of the rear cockpit. They are indivldually adjustable with turnbuckles. Motor mounts are also done and installed and I am presently working on cockpit cowling. Thank goodness that Spring is close at hand. Building time will increase quite a bit! There is no publication that I look forward to more than the BPA Newsletter. There's never been an issue without at least one great idea that l can use in my own project. So I'm really anxious to see the Ôexpanded' Spring issue. Pietenpols forever! Don Hicks (Route 1, Box 416-A, Hartford AL 36344)

Tom Muzzy (7030 Native Circle, Colorado Springs CO 80919) was sent our way by Bill Rewey after Tom wrote Bill about Bill's Air Camper in Sport Aviation. Welcome Tom!

Robert Stephens has a new address. It's 1680 Hendersonville Rd. #E-8, Asheville NC 28803.

Lou Larsen (457 Wekiva Cove Road, Longwood FL 32779-5635) writes ''I am making fair progress on my project -- currently producing 6 ribs per week. É may laminate spars of fir unless I can find the spruce somewhere.''

Bryce Hunter (PO Box 1843, Riverton WY 82501) and a friend have obtained a Corvair engine and plan to start building this spring.

John Johnson (182 New Campfire Rd., Carbondale IL 62901) has been active in the Piet on-line chat group for a few months. He joined the BPA in March. Check out his web site: http://aviator.cwis.siu.edu/john/

Jon Kutz (Rt 2, Box 151A, Lake Crystal MN 56055-9646) joined in March, writing ''I have ordered the info packet from Don Pietenpol and plan to order the plans as soon as I find out the cost. It has been 16 year since I had any time to play with aeroplanes and building. My instruction was in Citabrias in Arizona and most of my log time (when I could remember to write it down) was all in homebuilts (and all tail draggers). My major interest in aeroplanes is WW I era, but as I want a two place, the best design for me is the Pietenpol. - I have to be honest. I really don't know if I will ever find the time to finish building a finished plane, but the relaxation of working on one will still be worth the effort and expense. - As I switched my workshop over to all metric back in 1988 when 1 changed my business I suspect that it is going to be easier for me to convert the plans over to metric measurements before I start. I will probably also use DIN LN (luft normal - aviation series) series fasteners so I don't have to drag out my old Imperial tools. - I have been saving a 1.6 liter ford 4 cylinder engine for many years to use on a homebuilt aeroplane someday and I am thinking about using it in the Pietenpol. I would like to make a reduction system to drop prop RPM to under 1000 at cruise and maximise disc area of the prop. While at a California air show many years ago I listened to a conversation between a couple of the well known movie pilots discussing the WW I era planes flying abilities and they were stating that the Bipes with a 90 HP rotary turning very large props at around 850 RPM would out fly the same planes using the 145 HP Warner Scarab radials because of the much larger disc area of the larger props on the slower turning engine. - I am also a big fan of QUIET aeroplanes. I lost more hearing than I care to admit from flying in some of the very noisy birds. One time I lost my earplugs while flying in the back seat of an open cockpit pusher and was stone deaf for two days after we landed. I know that Europe is WAY ahead of us in this area and I hope to look in what I believe is called the ''Swiss muffler'' on homebuilts which makes them as quiet as a street auto except for the prop noise (which can be next to zero if the speed is slow enough and the tip speed is therefore kept well below supersonic speeds. - As I make more progress I will start looking in earnest for more information in these areas. Hopefully, I can get a letter included in the BPA homepage & newsletter then that will help me make some connections with someone in Europe that might be able to shed more light on the quiet connection.''

On Mar 15, 1996 Craig Lawler (RR 4, Box 5212, Milton PA 17847) emailed us - ''We are just about ready to bolt the wings on the Piet and start testing. We are using a C-65 with the wings tipped back 3 1/2'' and a Maule tail wheel. CG is 17" back of the leading edge with a total weight of 635. With the 3 piece wing and J-3 type gear I guess that's OK? -- Just have some trim work to do around the cockpits and some touch up paint stuff left. We have tied the plane to the clothes line pole in front of our garage to run the engine several times. It runs great. Hand proping the first time is a little intimidating. I have a friend with a 2,000 ft. grass strip. We are going to do the testing there as soon as the weather gets a little warmer. I really appreciate the great info in your newsletters and the assistance from other Piet owners.''

Grant, I recently joined the Pietenpol e-mail list and have found and enjoy your BPA and personal home pages. The e-mail list really got me inspired. After several years of very slow going - a few ribs built and parts collected for several Corvair engines etc., I bought a project that has been sitting for years without much being done. I posted an e-mail to the list group asking for advice and got some useful info. In any case I am now the proud owner of a partially built Piet with a Franklin hanging on the firewall. Three sets of plans confirm it is a true Piet. Please list me in your member listing and use my glhuber@mail.wiscnet.net e-mail address for the listing. Larry Huber (1555 Hwy 42, PO Box 333, Maplewood WI 54226-0333)

Lou Larsen writes ''My project progress will slow for a month or so now. We sold our house and will be moving in mid-April. Will send you a COA ASAP.

Mark Hagge (PO Box 473, Bryant AR 72089) was driving by the hangar today (3/23) when Howard Henderson and I were pulling the head on N444MH. Mark tells us he's building an Air Camper with one piece wing, so he joined up on the spot. Welcome, Mark.

via email 3/23/96 Grant, I want to tell you how much I have enjoyed your website. All the information about the Pietenpol is great. I have printed it all and shared it with the other members of our club that are building a Piet. Dave Defor, John Biege, and Charles Enger. Bernard Pietenpol was a member of our EAA club. Vi Kapler is also a member and he is building the Corvair engine and propeller for our Piet. Orrin Hoopman is a member and we are using a set of his original plans. We have the fuselage well underway and have 18 wing ribs constructed. We drove south to Virl's Hairport near St. Ansgar, Iowa last Friday to see his Piet. He has another one under construction in the basement. We sure were inspired to get back to Austin and get to work. Thank you for constructing a Pietenpol web. It's great. Dan Wilson (Fire Chief, City of Austin,122 1st Avenue N.E. Austin, MN 55912)

''I've gotten started on my Piet -- 18 ribs finished and the spars are on order. I hope to have the wing finished by the end of May. The tail will be next and then the fuselage. I have already run across a few questions in building my ship that perhaps some BPA members can answer for me: 1. I would like to provide a circular arc cutout in the wing center section like the Pietenpol shown in the February issue of Sport Aviation's ''What our members are building'' section. Are there any drawings available of that mod? 2. Bernie's plans call for cardboard or 1/16" plywood covering the leading edge of the wing. One seems too weak and the other too strong. What do most builders use? It seems to me either 1/32" plywood or .016" Aluminum would be a better choice. 3. Is there any index of ''How-to'' articles in past BPA Newsletters? I would like to have such a list if available. I can't make Brodhead this year, but am already planning to make it next year, if I can talk my brother into loaning me his Citabria for a couple of weeks. I found the BPA Homepage on the web. I don't have E-Mail at work but hope to have a new computer at home soon (the ex-wife got my old one) so I can go on-line to get my questions answered. Happy Landings, Jack Phillips (1421 Zeno Rd., Apex NC 27502)

Bob Lipper from out at the Airbarn (Rt. 1, Box 1400, Wyaconda MO 63474) checked in here late March: ''No report! Tough winter; high energy bills. Working on a Laco biplane. Piet in winter storage along w/J-3 and Mooney. Regards, Bob.

March 25th, 1996 (Leo Spychalla (717 Bittersweet Lane Watertown, WI 53094) wrote '' I have enjoyed the collection of letters and information found on the internet related to the Pietenpol Air Camper. I'm finding the Pietenpol fraternity to be a friendly, helpful group that are sincerely excited about Piets . This is a fascinating airplane, the more I learn, the more addicted I get. Currently I am finishing a 1/4th scale radio controlled model of the Air Camper. Soon I will order full scale plans from Don Pietenpol. I never intended to build a full scale ''Piet'', but I can't help it.

and from Gregory J. Cardinal ''Hi Grant, just a quick note to say Hi and introduce myself. I've recently joined the BPA and ordered back issues. For the last three days I've been reading them and have never felt this enthused, excited and enamored with anything in my life. I received the plans from Don Pietenpol two weeks ago and have already started cutting steel. I'm subscribed to the on-line discussion list and enjoy it a lot. I live in Minneapolis so am planning a day trip to Fountain to see the museum and then to Cherry Grove. I will be at Brodhead in August. Pietenpols Forever!!!

Did you see that picture of Harley Dahler (26 N 1100 East Road, Nokomis IL 62075) in the April edition of Sport Aviation -- page 28?

Victor Masterjohn (Box 237, New Braintree Rd., W. Brookfield MA 01585-0237) acquired a '65 172 last year; he hopes to make it to Hampton this summer.

Harlan Screws (1521 Bismarck Street, Vernon TX 76384) checked in here again last March.

Marvin Haavisto (7573 Haavisto Road, Virginia MN 55792) tells us his project is taking shape; wing almost finished, fuselage and tail group done; engine to be rebuilt soon. ''I'm planning to build skis for it. Could you give me information or names of those who have done it?'' I have no ski plans; who can provide a drawing for Marvin? ( É with a copy for the BPAN? gem)

Late March ''I just got off the phone with Ed Sampson from Bellview MN, who helped build a Piet I'm dealing on. I hope by summer you can update my roster status to AbcPw. I'll let you know or see you at Brodhead '96. Dennis Vetter (61662 310th Avenue, Manson IA 50563-8619)

Bruno Liimatainen (4343 Island View Road, Rhinelander WI 54501) tells us the engine for son Bill's Air Camper, is sitting on the work bench up in Rhinelander -- where it's been a cold winter. (Still 2 feet of ice on the lake April1.)

Eric Shaw (178 Ruggles Ave., Newport RI 02840) purchsed plans and attended Aircraft Spruce's Builder's Workshop last summer É as soon as he finishes a cradle boat for new daughter Erin, it's on to wing ribs!

Paul A. Taipale (Box 471, Bellevue WA 98009-0471) is still flying his T-Craft L-ZM; has 315 hours on since 3 year old restoration; has BHP's plans ''on the shelf.

4/7/96 ''Taxied the Piet for about 45 min. yesterday. I have lots of time, Inst. and commercial, but the wheel in the back makes a lot of difference!!! Need some more tail wheel time with an instructor. The FAA guy is suppose to look at it Sat.'' Craig Lawler (RR 4, Box 5212, Milton PA 17847)

Bobby G. Lewis (192 Northview Road, Blanchester OH 45107-9763) is still flying his Aeronca 11AC ÔScout.'

Emeron Christensen (407 Regent Drive, La Crescent MN 55947-1835) still plans to build a Corvair-powered Piet; has plans, prop. hub by Vi Kapler (1033 Forest Hills Dr., SW, Rochester MN 55902) and a new walk-out basement. ''Piet interest seems to be increasing in my circle of aviation frineds.''

Ed Ripplinger (23569 Suttons Bay Dr., Clinton Twp. MI 48038) is getting some hours in a Ôtin' 150; his Piet is in his condo's attached garage -- rough looking, but Cont. 75 mechanically in top condition. Hopes to soon set it up at a nearby field.

Delton Perry (4180 North Road, Lawrenceburg TN 38464) enjoys the newsletter but is not progressing on his project.

Eugene Planchak (29155 Alessandro Bl., Moreno Valley CA 92555-7212) like the newsletter too!

''Hi Grant, would like to add my name to the e-mail list. And would appreciate a list of Pietenpolers on-line É tried the web page but my 386 chip has the viscosity of molasses. Will upgrade one of these days so I can take a peek at your efforts. We had a couple of Pietenpols in the Lansing MI area where I grew up -- in the middle 30's. I had a few rides in the Air Camper that belonged to Ford Bott powered by a 6 cyl. Anzani [813Y]. He called it a ''Bott'' but it was a Piet. He also had owned and flown a Sopwith Camel after the war. One afternoon in, I think, 1938 a member of the Lansing Flying Club took a young lady up for a ride in their Stinson SM-2. The girl's sister was standing around watching. Ford asked her if she wanted a ride. Well he took off, found the Stinson and proceeded to do some ''aerobatics''. Well the Piet and Stinson collided; Bott and the girl were killed. The Stinson made it back to the airport. I wanted to build a plane of my own, so sent off a letter to Cherry Grove and bought a set of plans; never did build one. B. Pietenpol sent me six photos of 12937, one has the price of 425 dollars on it. Couple of the photos show more than one Piet in it. Another looks like it's sitting in front of a house. Blue skies Roy Oberg (6351 Kies Road N.E., Rockford MI 49341)

''Enclosed is a check for membership in the BPA. I shouldn't even be ''thinking'' about Piets until I get my Stinson back in the air, but found the web page on the Internet and couldn't resist. I'll just consider this ''future planning''. I have Pietenpol drawings I purchased from Bernie about 20 years ago. Somewhere I have the receipt he signed with the simple note, ''Thanks for the order.''

John Baker (25904 Reva Drive, Damascus, Maryland 20872)

Michael Brago (PO Box 429, Rosenhayn NJ 08352-0429) writes ''Due to unpredictable events, my Pietenpol status quo is the same as last year -- but I have not quit!

''I enjoy your publication very much and it is an asset in the construction of my Piet É I have recently moved to Tallahassee as a result of a promotion É as Florida Highway Patrol É now flying a Navajo Panther. É had to temporarily put my Piet on holdÉ my wife would not appreciate me turning our apartment into an airplane factory. I have completed the entire tail section, wing ribs and metal wing fittings, and was about to order my spars when this move came about.'' Thomas J. Mallow (PO Box 15671, Tallahassee FL 32317-5671)

Clay Spurgeon has moved to 19547 Azure Oak Dr., San Antonio TX 78258

Ralph and Lori Polnicky (3060 Cedar Fall Rd., Franklinville NC 27248) own GN-1 NX2308C, built in '78. They'd like to meet Piet oweners in their area.

Jim Zimmerman (12620 16th St. No., Stillwater, MN 55082) wonders if there are any ''local'' Piet builders who would like to call him and ''talk Pietenpols.'' Reach Jim at 612-436-1662.

Dan Breon (1348A Lodwick Drive, Louisville TN 37777) reports he saw ''three Pietenpols and two Gregas at Sun'n Fun'' and ''Pietenpol owners tend to be wonderful folks.''

4/20/96 - ''Dear Grant, Just a note to let you know where I stand on my project. My name is Don Lillich (5101 Reeds Rd., Mission KS 66202). I ordered my plans in October of '95 from Don Pietenpol and my wood in Jan. '96 from Western Aircraft and received it in March '96 and it is really some beautiful wood. I'm working on rib #18, so am about half way into my rib building. I'm planning on a Corvair-powered Piet and am having a ball working on this project. Really gives me something to look forward to in my spare time. It's nice having the expertise of Ken Perkins living so near by, because I have a lot of questions! I plan on attending Brodhead in August and talking to all the people building and flying Piets. I enjoy the newsletter very much and look forward to getting them. Keep up the great work; looking forward to meeting you at Brodhead. Sincerely, Don Lillich PS - Am trying to make it to NH for the 1st annual Piet Fly In. My wife is looking forward to the trip.

4/25/96 ''My project is going along well, ribs done, I have milled all of the wood, tail feathers now going together, and Subaru engine is completed. Since there are 14,000 ft. moutains just to the west of here - and 11,000 ft. moutains just to the east the only way out of this 7,000 ft. high valley is with a turbocharged and fuel injected engine! Maybe I can disguise the engine to look like an ''A'' so that I won't be completely ostracized by the Association! Will try to find you at Brodhead. Cordially, John Dilatush'' (6780 County Road 104, Salida CO 81201) (end)