Buckeye Pietenpol Association
Newsletter:

Mailbag and musings . . . Issue #54, BPAN

"Dear Grant, I guess the 16 page newsletters are working. I placed an order for wood yesterday. Bill Rewey sent me several pages of advice to help me get off to a good start and I ordered some of Gary Price's plans. I'm really excited about finally getting started with something! Thanks to you and all the Pietenpolers for the great newsletters! Sincerely, Daniel M. ÔDan' Breon"(1348A Lodwick Drive, Louisville TN 37777)

"July 30, 1996 - Dear Grant, We have completed another project, (Morgan) born in December which seems to slow my airplane project down even more than ever. The newsletter is always my inspiration to not give up hope and helps push me even harder to complete whatever phase of the project I am currently involved in. I have completed the fuselage and center section of the wing. I am completing the remainder of the wings. I have purchased a rebuilt "A"short block and most other incidentals that go along with the engine. I have also purchased a radiator with the help of Scott Dufreshe and John Greenlee. I would like to know if you might have any info on a mag which fits directly into the head. (Jim - - ask Greenlee about it. There were many used on farm equipment. gem) Am I dreaming or did you have some information for sale on prop carving? (Yep, $6.00 will bring you a copy.) I tried my hand at prop carving this winter and made a fantastic clock out of it. Sincerely, Jim Bell (14930 Lacehaven Cir., Dallas, TX 75248)

Aug. 2, 1996 Grant: Enclosed please find my 1996 - 97 membership renewal check. Although I still haven't started construction, I follow with great interest the activities of those who are building and flying, by means of your great newsletter. George M. Hartnett (1401 Wells Avenue, Claremont CA 91711)

Joe Lee (3600 S Harbor Blvd., Ste 157, Oxnard CA 93035) said in his Aug. 21 letter "By the way - the Pietenpol Fly - in was the highlight of my Oshkosh trip."

John Ferriter (7181 Sangerhill Road, Waterville, NY 13480) wrote in August "Enclosed please find my dues for B.P.A. The information supplied was excellent and your warning about Tom Nolan is well heeded. I have started my project by building the wing ribs and am open to any suggestions. I hope to use a 65 HP Continental on the longer fuselage. I'll keep you apprised of my progress and Nolan's antics. Best regards. John"Ñ (eds. note Ñ It is the policy of this organization to warn its members of those who have fallen by the wayside, especially of those who turn to building and flying aircraft constructed of metal and/or newfangled composites!)

John McNary (Box 160, Alexander, Manitoba R0K 0A0) wrote last summer: "To date I have a tail assembly, ribs, fuselage sidesÑall to GN - 1 plans. I purchased the parts built to this point. I have also started work on a Ford "B"engine and have completed the hubs for motorcycle wheels to the original spreader gear. I'm hoping to build the rest of the aircraft more like a Piet than a GN - 1. I really don't like the GN - 1 aileron hinges at all."

6/19/96 Dear BPA, "É Many, many years ago when I was stationed at Waco, TX EAA Chapter 59 started building a Pietenpol Air Camper with a 65 hp Franklin. When I was transferred, the fuselage, wings and tail group were finished. I sure had fun working on it and now that I have plenty of time I would like to try and build one. É"Sincerely, Eugene C. Severn (401 N. Lawler, Box 327, Postville IA 62162)

(email) Mon, Sep 2, 1996 "Hi, I Terry Kleeblatt. "So what"you say. Well, I'd like to be on your friends of BPA address list. I'm currently building a Rag Wing Ultra Piet. I live near Roger Mann and decided to build the little version because of the lack of funds. I have wings and a fuselage and hope to be finished by next summer. I have a friend named Charles Read of Conyers, Georgia. He's built several Pietenpols over the years (since the days of Rockford) and is one of the best word workers I've ever seen. He's got me convinced to build a "Real Piet"as soon as I finish the Jr. unit. I just ran across a gentleman that would like to sell me two Lycoming 65 hp engines. Have you ever known of any Piet's with this engine? If it's a good combination I may buy them. Sell one and keep one I guess. How do I join the BPA and get one of those neat T - shirts I've seen??? Thanks, Terry Kleeblatt SquawkfixR@AOL.com PS - I'm an A & P at a local FBO.

Kevin Purtee & Siggi Schoen have moved to Texas (604 Esperson Ln., Dayton TX 77535). Kevin says the house is new; with a three car garage big enough for a one - piece wing. There are some crop duster fields close by, so "I may have a place to fly the plane if I ever finish it.

Welcome! to Bill Talbert (23203 Olive Ridge Ct., Katy TX 77494)

September email from: mpj@juno.com (Michael P Johnston) Hi Grant, Do you know of anyone with a copy of the article on how to fly Piets, in the May '89 issue of Kitplanes? I tried calling Kitplanes but they don't go back that far with back issues. I'm already looking forward to Brodhead 97. I enjoyed being there this year more than Oshkosh. Have a good year É Mike, I can't help you. Don't remember ever seeing an article on the subject therein. (gem)

Dave Cordle (6875 Porter Central Rd., Ceneterburg OH 43011) has a new addressÑand a new place (with heated/AC four car garage) to build his Piet. Dave says he's in heaven on a gravel road!

Bart Conrad (159 Warwick Dr., Pittsburgh PA 15241) got in some time on his Piet over Labor Day. "Finished vert. stab. and rudder. Started on Gary Price's version of the tailwheel. Have an order into Aircraft Spruce East for wood and steel enough finish elevators and tailwheel."

Wendell Hughes (RR 2, Morell P.E.I. C0A 1S0 Canada) tells of flying his RC Pietenpol. " É it was buzzed repeatedly by a large hawk. He landed on a fence post nearby to study me, then took off. I watched him climb and then peel off towards me. I had to duck when he did a low pass. I wear a heavy cap when I fly at that hill now."

Greg Culler (236 Little Britain Rd., Nottingham PA 19362 - 9015) emailed: "My Piet project is about to get underway again. I plan to be starting on the fuselage in the next few weeks. I have a 1200' hayfield on the new farm and hope to be able to use it as a runway. What is the shortest field takeoff anyone is aware of in a Piet?"

Please note my change of address effective immediately: Wayne D. Lord (6516 Banner Lake Cir. #5310, Orlando FL 32821) I've been having problems with the carburetor (which is what it finally turned out to be) all summer. Therefore no flying. I received a lot of troubleshooting suggestions from people familiar to Pietenpols, like Karl Ericsson and Ed Snyder. Jimmy Dean (who owns an original Piet) in Sanford, NC loaned me a Tillotson Model X to use for diagnosis, and after a rebuild of my model B carb, the Piet was humming well and ready to fly É but for hurricane Fran. Fran caused a dam to burst and flooded the airport, pouring 6 feet of water into the hangars. The Piet flipped onto her nose and the engine was totally submerged in water, silt, oil, and assorted junk. So much for flying her to Florida. I've pulled the wings, shot everything I could with oil and am looking for someone to loan me an aircraft trailer to tote her from Raleigh, NC to Orlando, FL where I hope to find someone to assist me in the Model "A" engine overhaul. Looks like she'll be a hangar queen a bit longer. I'm hoping that Tom Reilly of Reilly Aviation in Kissimmee (and owner of the Flying Tigers Warbird Museum) will honor his offer of hangaring the Piet with his P - 51 and PT - 22 even though the engine will be out of her. That's all for now. Good Flying to All.

Chuck Bickinella (3041 Posda Rd., Cameron Park CA 95682) joined in October "I've had a set of Air Camper plans foreverÑhope to start building soon!

Doug Josephson (748 So. Madison, Wichita KS 67211) says he's "still looking for the right Air Camper."

(email) Oct 13, Grant, just thought I'd drop you a note and let you know how much I enjoy your newsletter. I own Peter Kroll's old 'vair powered Piet all the way from up north to down here in Ft.Worth Tx. I've had it for a year and no problems to date that couldn't be fixed. I enjoy flying it every chance I get and maybe soon I will be able to send you a picture of it on a floppy disc Ñ hope to make it down to Kerrville Tx. Oct.18 - 20. with some friends of mine. I plan to send a flight report in the future and my dues will be in the snail mail shortly. Wishing you the best of luck in the future. Sincerely, Richard "Luggy"Franklin

Ted Mart (410 Pleasant Circle, Pleasant Hill IA 50317) is a long - time woodworker; has concerns about 1) fabricating wing struts and 2) welding. (Who out there would be willing to give Ted some leads on these items? He hopes to use a Corvair or Continental. gem)

Lynn Ista (3765 Conroy Trail, Inver Grove Hts. MN 55076) tells us he has been unable to find a dual mag setup for the "A"engine, but Wil Graff (8211 Leatherman Road, Wadsworth OH 44281 - 9212) gave him a supplier for a dual - plug head. Ñ Lynn, I've seen many, many more "AÓ - powered Piets flying with one mag than two and I've seen very few fly very long with a high compression head. ("high"being over five and one - half or six to one or so). Many of those dual - plug jobs come in "high compression ratio"models so (in my humble opinion) it'd be a good idea to measure your compression ratio before committing to such a head. This is for sure Ñ no head manufacturer can tell you the compression ratio of his head without some more information Ñ ie; the bore of the engine, the condition of the block (has it been "decked"and if so, how much?, etc. etc. (gem)

"Metric Jon"Kutz (Route 2, Box 151A Lake Crystal, MN 56055 - jkutz@kutzwald.com) wrote in September Ñ Dear Grant, I am finally starting to recover from business affairs that have kept me tied up both time and money wise. I am now hoping that in the next month or so I will be able to order the Pietenpol plans and maybe get started on the wing ribs and/or tail feathers. Of course, as I have no English system measuring equipment, I will first have to convert the plans to all metric dimensions. If I can manage the time, I am hoping to regenerate the plans in CAD to make it easier to make the change. Of course if someone has already put the Pietenpol plans in CAD format in either DXF or Autocad DWG format it would save me a lot of time. Has anyone reproduced the plans in CAD format? Next will be to start looking at plans for a reduction drive unit that I can make to fit the Pinto engine. I am sure that this is going to be LONG term project, but at least I'll be a little bit active in aviation again. 16 years out of it (other than reading Sport Aviation) is too long. Guess I have been dragging my tail instead an aeroplanes tail. I couldn't help but notice the little anti - metric jab on page 13 of the 2nd Qtr 96 newsletter. I am sure in the spirit of "fairness"you will fit in my little anti - inch jab in one of the future. (See this edition, Jon. gem)

James Lee (193 Hwy 33W Freehold NJ 07728) joined in September. He's building a Corvair - powered Air Camper, long fuselage. James would like to "hook up"with other builders in NJ.

Thanks to his wife, Cherie Jeremy Visker (442 North 200 East #6, Provo UT 84606) joined us in October.

Jim Zimmerman (12620 16th St. N., Stillwater MN 55082 - 1711) tells us he plans to start building in the fall of '97 É when he retires.

David Rebholtz (1861 Mathe Dr., Carson City NV 98701) joins us, saying "Please enroll me in the ranks of BHP admirers."

Ty Daniels (N 4213 Lake Dr., Brodhead WI 53520) started on his Piet - four ribs done in October. But he's spending a lot of time sitting in a tree with his bow. "I also just flew my long cross - country Ñ and survived!"

Roger Mann (RagWing Aviation, Box 39, Tokeena Air Park, Townville SC 29689) says he's all settled in at his new airport. He keeps RagWing open from about 8:30 to 11:30 mornings, then does A&P as time permits. He's still selling plans and plywood. Send him an SASE if you are interested in his neat little "Ultra Piet"or other ships. Roger recently found a Model "A"for his "real"Air Camper Ñ to be built "to the plans."

Sean Tavares (600 Bulfinch Dr. #504, Andover MA 01810) found us on the web Ñ joined in October.

Douglas Raymer (PO Box 193, Rockford WA 99030) says he's "building and learning."After talking with Howard Henderson and Ed Snyder, he's decided to leave the engine in the Corvair van and has bought a couple of "A's."Doug wants to create a book "Step by step Pietenpol building"so is documenting everything he does in word and pictures. Fuselage is almost finished, wings started and instrument panel (birdseye maple inlaid panel) complete. Doug says the fellow who sold him the engines may be a Piet - building convert soon.

Thomas J. Mallow has moved to 34 Shadow Oak Cir., Crawfordville FL 323227.

(email): Oct 17, 1996 From: CAho253417 Dear Grant: I finally went on - line with AOL. Just wanted to say hello. I enjoyed the recent BPAN and have enjoyed being a part of the BPA. My Piet has been flying again and the new owner reports that it's a "piece of cake"to fly. He has made some subtle mods to suit his taste. I'm currently trying to complete a glider project I started before the Pietenpol which is the all wood "DUSTERÓ. a really nice but somewhat complex building project. It's about 95% complete. I also have managed to construct some parts for a Emeraude; another beautiful wood project I would love to complete. I do intend to construct another Pietenpol but I'm not sure just when. I also just purchased a 1946 Ercoupe 415C that I will learn to fly in. It's a real nice looking aircraft and I've always admired them. Isn't there some sort of Pietenpol place on - line? Could you tell me how to get there? (See back page. gem) Anyway keep up the good work and thanks again for all your previous assistance etc. Craig Aho (23307 45th Avenue W., Mountlake Terrace WA 98043)

(email): Oct 18, 1996 From: iholland@microage - tb.com (Ian Holland) Grant, thanks very much for the fast response! I am eager enough to get going that I sent you a Canadian Postal money Order, in U.S. Funds, of course. I will remember your preferred way (cash works - gem) in the future. Do you know if Don Pietenpol has an e - mail address? Or a phone number so that I can confirm if he received the payment for plans and modifications? I am working on a building place and need accurate dimensions to see if I can get the three piece wing out of my basement. I think it will be tight. I will also need to start early on the wife if I have to cut a larger window in the house. I am picking up lots of tips from your Websight. It's a beauty! So far, I have not come across a preferred, non odourous glue. The wife has some allergies. Any suggestions? Thanks again! Ian

Steve Powell (2221 Quail Hollow Rd., Knoxville TN 37923 - 1024) is starting on his wing rib jig. Steve thought about using a more powerful engine Ñ until he heard a couple of "A's"shuttling folks back and forth at a fly - in near Atlanta, well É

email: Oct 18, 1996 From: KHodge3940@aol.com Grant, Just a quick line to say that I have found your internet site, and most informative it is. I am currently building a Pietenpol Air Camper. I have completed the fuselage, right wing, all the metalwork except the tail and rudder hinges. All the spares and ribs are made for the left wing and I hope to have it assembled by Xmas. The engine is going to be a 90 HP BMW water cooled motor bike engine with the radiator in a scoop under the front seat ( a la P51 Mustang), with the hot air from the rad blowing up into the cockpit, this should I hope make it a bit warmer that usual! The gearbox will be a Rotax ÔC' type with adapter plate, driving a 72" warp drive propeller. The wings are three piece design produced by Jim Wills. I have attached a .zip file which contains two JPEG pictures of the wing center section and right hand wing. Do you know if Vi Kapler is on email? I would like to purchase a set of the aluminum hinges that he produces, but do no know how to get in touch with him. Keith Hodge (Bryn Hyfryd, 16 Mold Road, Mynydd Isa, Flintshire CH7 6TD UK)

Bill Rood (PO Box 1311, Long key FL 33001 - 1103) spends winters in FL, summers in Kentwood MI 49508. He's looking for a BPAer in the Keys or SE FL to "talk Piets"with.

I told him to stop on the way down and see George Read at 12 Oaks Air Estates near Ocala. George seems to know all the Piets in FL, has one and has had another. When I visited George this summer, he told me of once landing a Piet in a treetop - - and walking away! (gem)

Dear Sir: I recently saw a partially complete Pietenpol at an airshow in Heber, Utah. Since then I have been interested in possibly building a PietenpolÑthis would be my second scratch built. I didn't really know where to go get information; however, one day at work I had a buddy type in "PIETENPOL"on the web. Hey! You guys are all over the place. I ordered some plans for a Pietenpol from some outfit for $40, and I suspect I'm going to end up with a set of plans I don't want to build from. Well, it won't be the first forty bucks in my life time that I've blown. At any rate, I'm interested in a "real"set of Piet plansÑthe long version when I can get a price and find out where to buy them. In the meantime, I'm sending you $10 by check to subscribe to the quarterly Buckeye Pietenpol Association Newsletter. From what I picked up on the web, I need to do some reading before I get started on a Piet. And, the truth is, I've still got a month or two on the HIMAX (TEAM), but not much more than that One thing that would be extremely useful, apart from the plans for a Piet, is a bill of materials for this bird. Although the plans are fairly respectable from Team, I went nuts trying to figure out just how much of whatever to buy for the HIMAXÑdarned near made me swear off scratch building! Buildin' ain't nuthin' compared to figuring out what you need. But, those guys want you to buy the kit, and I can't blame Ôem. However, when I started, I couldn't afford the kit, and I still can't afford the kits for a "two place,"so I guess you could call me a sucker for a right priced scratch built. With all those Piets I'm reading about, I suspect somebody has an "all in one place list."Well, enough of the jabberin'. Just sign me up for the quarterly, and if you can help me on the other stuff, let me know. Sincerely, Jerry Beddes (326 N. 3425 W, West Point, UT 84015)

22 October 1996 Hello Grant! Here is a check for two more years of the BPA Newsletter. If I ever get past home maintenance and honey - doos, I'll make good use of their GEMS (pun intended) of wisdom when that long - postponed Pietenpol is resumed. For me, our visit to Brodhead was the highlight of our Wisconsin trip this summer; meeting Orrin Hoopman and finally seeing real and low - cost grass roots flying. Spent a little time volunteering on the line at Oshkosh afterward, but I'll take Brodhead first any year! Hope to get there 2 or 3 days early next year if I can help. With relatives in Madison, commuting is easy. Will write Lee Stenson. Who was selling the blueprint Tee shirts at Brodhead? A friend who couldn't make it there wants one if there are any left in his size (XL). Sincerely, Don Stoops (208 Wiiton Rd., Peterhorough, NH 03458) PS - Chair of the Honey - Doo Dept. promises not to push too much right rudder on the mundane chore list. And if you have a need for assistance any where for a Honey - Doo chair at Brodhead next summer, she'd be delighted to help. (Lousy qualifications for cook, tho', but a darn good dish washer and technical secretary - registrar background.)

Don Maurer (601 Murray's Chapel Rd., Sweetwater TN 37874) reports "nothinn new"on his status for the Piet.

(email): Subj: Update on my project. Date: Fri, Oct 25, 1996 Dear Grant, I was just sitting here messing with my friend's computer and before I knew it we were on the net and just happened to find ourselves on the Piet web page. Found your e - mail site so here goes on the update: I just completed covering the fuselage and the tail feathers up through the last filler coat. I'm using the latex paint and acrylic enamel process as described in last months Experimenter magazine, and it looks really good so far. The cockpit combing, instruments, and all electrical are now done. I will start covering the wings this next week if time permits. I just received the new spring that was recommended in the last issue of the news letter, from John Deere, it is just perfect and will work great. I better get going for now, before I get kicked off this computer. Thanks for all you do and for great news letter. Duane Woolsey (207 East 300 South, Provo UT 84606)

Larry Morlock (3407 Woodland Place, Columbus IN 47203) reports "slow but steady progress on his "AÓ - powered Piet.

This is a new address for Lowell Durham (2250 White Pine Drive, Cambridge MN 55008.) Lowell is helping Mark Rucinski (13201 - 79 Meadowood Tr. NW, Coon Rapids MN 55448) with his fuselage.

(via email) Nov 4, 1996 ". . . We ventured down to Kampel Field SW of Harrisburg to look at Shaun Slade's Piet project. He is getting close to covering and needs to find an engine. The one piece wing really looks nice with a large curved cutout above the rear cockpit. Shaun is still in high school and has a setup most of us would envy. He goes to school Mon, Wed. and Fri, and helps rebuild Stearmans and Cubs Tues and Thur. Craig Lawler (RR 4, Box 5212, Milton PA 17847)

Welcome to Jim Soares (7093 Dry Creek Rd., Belgrade MT 59714) who is President of Rocky Mountain Airframe, Inc.

October 31, 1996 - Grant; Thank You for the prompt reply to my Email and for the excellent Web pages. Please find a $20.00 check enclosed for a two year subscription beginning with issue #52. Tim & Joe Sefcik of South Haven, IN said to say "hello."Tim got his Private license this year and son Joe is working on his ground - school. Up until about one month ago I'd been wondering what all the excitement about these Pietenpol airplanes was all about. Tim and our chapter 104 president are each building one and another member, Steve Mourer also purchased one this spring. This was a wooden ship with an open cockpit that only went about 60 mph I reasoned. Wouldn't something like a Cessna that you could cruise much faster in comfort be much better? Then it happened! Tim took me for a ride in Steve's Pietenpol! What an exciting ride! Even though we only flew around the airport for about a half an hour it was one of the more memorable flying experiences I've ever had. This was real flying. The most enjoyable aspect of the flight was the wind in your face, the feel of the open cockpit and the relatively slow speed. I'm looking forward to our next flight. Isn't it interesting how we get ingrained in one way of thinking and often can't consider other possibilities? Sincerely: Paul Schultz (EAA Chapter 104 Newsletter Editor, 5151 Tulip Ave., Portage IN 46368)