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Engine Questions



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 19th 04, 10:17 PM
Bill A.
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Posts: n/a
Default Engine Questions

I'm still trying to select an aircraft to build from scratch and it's
starting to look like it's coming down to the engine (budget reasons of
course). I really like the Pietenpol Aircamper but from what I've read you
need a Rotex or other "aircraft" engine and of course that's expensive. I
was also thinking of the Volksplane, which I don't like as much but it can
use a VW engine which I can find cheap and I've torn down and rebuilt a
couple of them so I'm more familiar with them.



So the question's are.does anyone have experience (good or bad) with a VW
engine in an Aircamper? What other scratch build planes work well with VW
engines other then the Volksplanes? What other engines would fall into the
same price range has a VW (which I would be getting used and rebuilding
myself)?



Thanks all

Bill A.

Canoga Park, CA



PS. If anyone has a Pietenpol, Volksplane, or similar plane in the LA area I
sure would like to take a look at it.


  #2  
Old January 19th 04, 10:45 PM
Jan Carlsson
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Posts: n/a
Default

Check out the Corby Starlet nice plane.

http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuil...20Starlet%20CJ
-1.html

Jan Carlsson
www.jcpropellerdesign.com

"Bill A." skrev i meddelandet
ink.net...
I'm still trying to select an aircraft to build from scratch and it's
starting to look like it's coming down to the engine (budget reasons of
course). I really like the Pietenpol Aircamper but from what I've read you
need a Rotex or other "aircraft" engine and of course that's expensive. I
was also thinking of the Volksplane, which I don't like as much but it can
use a VW engine which I can find cheap and I've torn down and rebuilt a
couple of them so I'm more familiar with them.



So the question's are.does anyone have experience (good or bad) with a VW
engine in an Aircamper? What other scratch build planes work well with VW
engines other then the Volksplanes? What other engines would fall into the
same price range has a VW (which I would be getting used and rebuilding
myself)?



Thanks all

Bill A.

Canoga Park, CA



PS. If anyone has a Pietenpol, Volksplane, or similar plane in the LA area

I
sure would like to take a look at it.




  #3  
Old January 19th 04, 11:17 PM
clare @ snyder.on .ca
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Default

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 21:17:11 GMT, "Bill A."
wrote:

I'm still trying to select an aircraft to build from scratch and it's
starting to look like it's coming down to the engine (budget reasons of
course). I really like the Pietenpol Aircamper but from what I've read you
need a Rotex or other "aircraft" engine and of course that's expensive. I
was also thinking of the Volksplane, which I don't like as much but it can
use a VW engine which I can find cheap and I've torn down and rebuilt a
couple of them so I'm more familiar with them.


A Piet can be flown with LOTS of different engines. The Model A Ford
was the first engine - all 40? HP. The 50HP model B followed, and then
the Corvair.
If the Model A worked, I'm sure a 200 plus cu inch later model inline
four or six could be made to work as well. You want something with
"grunt" - lots of torque at low RPMs.

So the question's are.does anyone have experience (good or bad) with a VW
engine in an Aircamper? What other scratch build planes work well with VW
engines other then the Volksplanes? What other engines would fall into the
same price range has a VW (which I would be getting used and rebuilding
myself)?



Thanks all

Bill A.

Canoga Park, CA



PS. If anyone has a Pietenpol, Volksplane, or similar plane in the LA area I
sure would like to take a look at it.


  #4  
Old January 20th 04, 02:39 AM
James Lloyd
external usenet poster
 
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Default

If you just need a single seat plane,a jeanie,s tennie is a good choice.

  #5  
Old January 20th 04, 03:21 AM
jls
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Default


"Bill A." wrote in message
ink.net...
I'm still trying to select an aircraft to build from scratch and it's
starting to look like it's coming down to the engine (budget reasons of
course). I really like the Pietenpol Aircamper but from what I've read you
need a Rotex


Rotax? Nope. Pietenpols use old Ford A-Model engines, Corvair engines,
and affordable old Continentals like the A-65 and C-85. If you are on a
tight budget in Southern California, the Pietenpol Aircamper may be the way
to go. Do a google and you'll find all kinds of Piet groups. The Piet
clan gather every summer in Brodhead, Wisconsin for a fly-in. It is said
that if you visit with them a spell will be cast over you and you'll be a
Piet-head for the rest of your life.


or other "aircraft" engine and of course that's expensive. I
was also thinking of the Volksplane, which I don't like as much but it can
use a VW engine which I can find cheap and I've torn down and rebuilt a
couple of them so I'm more familiar with them.



So the question's are.does anyone have experience (good or bad) with a VW
engine in an Aircamper? What other scratch build planes work well with VW
engines other then the Volksplanes? What other engines would fall into the
same price range has a VW (which I would be getting used and rebuilding
myself)?



Thanks all

Bill A.

Canoga Park, CA



PS. If anyone has a Pietenpol, Volksplane, or similar plane in the LA area

I
sure would like to take a look at it.




  #6  
Old January 20th 04, 03:52 AM
Ron Wanttaja
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Default

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 21:17:11 GMT, "Bill A."
wrote:

So the question's are.does anyone have experience (good or bad) with a VW
engine in an Aircamper? What other scratch build planes work well with VW
engines other then the Volksplanes? What other engines would fall into the
same price range has a VW (which I would be getting used and rebuilding
myself)?


I strongly suspect you won't get enough thrust out of the VW. People have
tried them on Fly Babies and they haven't worked well at all.

Best airplanes for VWs are those which were specifically designed for them.
Ryan Young maintains a good list:

http://users.lmi.net/~ryoung/Sonerai/rant.html

He also has a ton of good information on the engines themselves at:

http://users.lmi.net/~ryoung/Sonerai/Engines.html

Ron Wanttaja


  #7  
Old January 20th 04, 04:05 AM
Richard Lamb
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Posts: n/a
Default

If you want low-n-slow, check the Texas Parasol.
Remenescent of the Pietenpol Scout, VW powered.
All aluminum construction with fabric cover.
Nice flyer too.

Check www.flash.net/~lamb01
  #8  
Old January 20th 04, 05:11 AM
Bill A.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default



On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 21:21:06 -0500, " jls"
wrote:


"Bill A." wrote in message
link.net...
I'm still trying to select an aircraft to build from scratch and it's
starting to look like it's coming down to the engine (budget reasons of
course). I really like the Pietenpol Aircamper but from what I've read you
need a Rotex


Rotax? Nope. Pietenpols use old Ford A-Model engines, Corvair engines,
and affordable old Continentals like the A-65 and C-85. If you are on a
tight budget in Southern California, the Pietenpol Aircamper may be the way
to go. Do a google and you'll find all kinds of Piet groups. The Piet
clan gather every summer in Brodhead, Wisconsin for a fly-in. It is said
that if you visit with them a spell will be cast over you and you'll be a
Piet-head for the rest of your life.


I've done a bit of searching online but I can't seem to find
any Continentals for sale that aren't already attached to
something. Where would I find some and what's the ballpark
price? Are Corvair engines still around with as few
Corvairs that were produced I would think the supply would be
limited (along with parts) and can you still find Ford Model
A engines any more, much less parts? What would be the most
economical, commonly used engine out there now a days?




or other "aircraft" engine and of course that's expensive. I
was also thinking of the Volksplane, which I don't like as much but it can
use a VW engine which I can find cheap and I've torn down and rebuilt a
couple of them so I'm more familiar with them.



So the question's are.does anyone have experience (good or bad) with a VW
engine in an Aircamper? What other scratch build planes work well with VW
engines other then the Volksplanes? What other engines would fall into the
same price range has a VW (which I would be getting used and rebuilding
myself)?



Thanks all

Bill A.

Canoga Park, CA



PS. If anyone has a Pietenpol, Volksplane, or similar plane in the LA area

I
sure would like to take a look at it.




  #9  
Old January 20th 04, 05:48 AM
Richard Lamb
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Bill A." wrote:

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 21:21:06 -0500, " jls"
wrote:


"Bill A." wrote in message
link.net...
I'm still trying to select an aircraft to build from scratch and it's
starting to look like it's coming down to the engine (budget reasons of
course). I really like the Pietenpol Aircamper but from what I've read you
need a Rotex


Rotax? Nope. Pietenpols use old Ford A-Model engines, Corvair engines,
and affordable old Continentals like the A-65 and C-85. If you are on a
tight budget in Southern California, the Pietenpol Aircamper may be the way
to go. Do a google and you'll find all kinds of Piet groups. The Piet
clan gather every summer in Brodhead, Wisconsin for a fly-in. It is said
that if you visit with them a spell will be cast over you and you'll be a
Piet-head for the rest of your life.


I've done a bit of searching online but I can't seem to find
any Continentals for sale that aren't already attached to
something. Where would I find some and what's the ballpark
price? Are Corvair engines still around with as few
Corvairs that were produced I would think the supply would be
limited (along with parts) and can you still find Ford Model
A engines any more, much less parts? What would be the most
economical, commonly used engine out there now a days?


I fly a VW.
But it won't swing enough prop to fly an Air Camper.


The Piet Air Camper was designed around the Ford engine.
The plane needs that mass of metal up front to balance properly.

With a lighter, a longer mount is needed to keep the plane in balance.
Longer noses usually mean less yaw stability.

A Contenental A-65 - A-85 seems to work out ok.
At least you see them flying now and then.


Richard
  #10  
Old January 20th 04, 04:38 PM
Bob Olds
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Posts: n/a
Default

Richard Lamb wrote in message ...
If you want low-n-slow, check the Texas Parasol.
Remenescent of the Pietenpol Scout, VW powered.
All aluminum construction with fabric cover.
Nice flyer too.

Check www.flash.net/~lamb01




************************************************** ******************************

Our EAA Chapter 1156 is building a Piet which will have a Suburu. I
don't know the model,etc. but there are more around with the Suburu
engine.

Bob Olds
Charleston,Arkansas

************************************************** ******************************
 




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