Today's Message Index:
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1. 05:07 AM - Re: Piets and spins, CG Stuff (gbowen@ptialaska.net)
2. 05:30 AM - Re: Piets and spins, CG Stuff (gbowen@ptialaska.net)
3. 05:38 AM - Glue (TBYH@aol.com)
4. 06:03 AM - Re: Piets and spins, CG Stuff (FTLovley@aol.com)
5. 06:37 PM - Really GREAT aviation story on History Channel! (N321TX@wmconnect.com)
Message 1
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| Subject: | Re: Piets and spins, CG Stuff |
--> Pietenpol-List message posted by: "gbowen@ptialaska.net" <gbowen@ptialaska.net>
Aaahhh!!!!!!!!! The 30's, Golden Age of Aviation and those with memories
thereof, when fuselages were swept forward rather than wings swept backward.
Forrest, didn't you make a posting a while back that you saw Bernie cut the
top out of a dope can for making metal tabs? If so, maybe you can answer a
question about his history and plans for wings. Question: The National
Advisory Commission for Aeronautics (NACA) issued it's Tech Rept. #460 in
1933, advising future aviators and builders of planes on the pros and cons
of 78 different airfoils. NACA had been around since 1915. Did Bernie's
wing design come from this original NACA windtunnel work? Thanks.
Gordon Bowen
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: Piets and spins, CG Stuff |
--> Pietenpol-List message posted by: "gbowen@ptialaska.net" <gbowen@ptialaska.net>
Chuck,
I believe test pilots/Designers like Steve Wittman set CG design limits
after a tad of flying trial and error and he assummed the future buyers of
his plans actually built the plan to plans, which many did not. The test
pilot who flew Nat Puffer's Cozy (one of the first serious modification of
Rutan's proven designs), used a 20# chunk of lead within a slotted plastic
pipe in the passenger seat. Nat may have learned this trick from Mike
Melvil, Rutan's longterm crash test dummy and space cadet. The test pilot
could slide the chunk of lead backward and forward, inside the plastic
pipe, as needed to recover from tail heavy stalls.
By default each Pietenpol builder is a test pilot, and has to set design
limits for his or her unique aircraft. I saw one the other day on E-Bay
that used a T-Craft wing.
The % of chord CG limit rule of thumbs comes from the original testing done
by NACA in the 1930's, with windtunneling of 78 different wing shapes,
aspects, chord and camber designs. I think just about every modern day
straight wing, constant chord wing is referred to as a NACA wing. The
funny thing is, NACA didn't issue it's report #460 until 1933, a year after
Bernie introduced his wing design.
Gordon Bowen
Message 3
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I've been using the West System epoxy. I buy it in the quart cans and use
thier mini-pumps which are sized for the correct 5:1 mixture. One full stroke
of
resin, plus one full stroke of hardener equals the right mixture. If you need
more,, two or three full strokes of each. The key is to make sure you've got
the right pump in the right can. I use the plastic lids off the "new" plastic
coffee cans for mixing. I've used almost exactly one full quart can of resin
and it appears that I have 4/5 of a can of hardener remaining. Also found out
that the local boating place carries the West system. Check their Web site for
dealers in your area if you're inclined to use this glue.
I made a test joint, of course, and after a day of curing, could not break it
no-how. Gave it to my weight-lifter son who can squat 500 pounds as easily as
I can manage 50 lbs -- he couldn't break the joint! I concluded that the
stuff is airworthy. Of course, builders have been using it for years, too!
Was 57 degrees this past weekend -- back to the 30s today. Spring is nigh!
Fred B.
Message 4
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| Subject: | Re: Piets and spins, CG Stuff |
--> Pietenpol-List message posted by: FTLovley@aol.com
Mr Bowen...In my posting I stated that Bernard, (I absolutely NEVER said
Bernie.!!) used the tops of dope cans to make aileron and elevator horns, not
"tabs". The information on how he developed his airfoil from a Gottengen 397 is
written in his "How to Build" series in Popular Aviation during the thirties.
He knew that a commercially produced airplane that he had previously owned with
an undercambered airfoil got off the ground good, so he merely went ahead and
built a wing that way to try it out. I have no idea on whether he ever saw
the NACA Tech report #460. I also never stated that we were "sweeping" the
fuselage forward or back...I merely pointed out that when a Pietenpol is adjusted
to get the CG in the proper place, we are moving the weight of the fuselage
forward, not moving the wing back, to compensate for a lighter engine than the
Ford Model A.
Quite possibly, it's time for me to quit reading the postings on this
list, and get back to building...I think my old friend Bernard would like the
idea.
Forrest Lovley
Message 5
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| Subject: | Really GREAT aviation story on History Channel! |
The First Flight Around the World, will air one more time on the History
Channel this Saturday morning (3-12) 10 a.m. CST, but check your listing for your
time zone. Set your TIVO and record it. You'll be glad you did!
I just watched this program and was amazed at the story of American aviators
who in 1924 flew around the world in their open cockpit airplanes. Four
American airplanes attempted the trip and only 2 made it, beating the French,
British, Italian pilots who were also competing in this event.
Original motion picture film of the trip along with a narrative from the
diaries of the aviators make for a really great. Computer graphics depicting the
airplanes also add to the drama of this show ... very well done.
If you like open cockpit flying (and I suspect you do) you'll really enjoy
watching this show. These guys (and airplanes) were amazing!
I wonder if Mr. Pietenpol followed this story when he was a young man and
became inspired by the success of the American pilots?
Below is a link to The History Channel website about this program. (Their
website runs slower than molasses following on a cold winter day, so be patient.)
http://www.historychannel.com/global/listings/series_showcase.jsp?EGrpType=Ser
ies&Id=14217115&NetwCode=THC
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