From: karol+@pitt.edu (Filip M. Gieszczykiewicz (fmgst+@pitt.edu))
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.homebuilt
Subject: Help needed (+ a Q or 2)
Summary: homebuilt, !kit, where, how much, how hard?
Keywords: Pietenpol, AirCamper, help, pleazzzeee....
Date: 10 Oct 92 07:00:07 GMT
Followup-To: rec.aviation.homebuilt
Organization: University of Pittsburgh


	PLEASE REPLY TO fmgst+@pitt.edu NOT HERE. THANK YOU.

	Greetings. My friend and I are thinking of putting together
	a small plane. He recently ordered plans for a homebuilt
	plane by the name "Pietenpol Aircamper" and after looking
	at them, we are very discouraged - to the point of thinking
	of putting our money in an ultralight :-(

	The plane (and plans) were conceived in the 1920's and the
	materials used in its construction were, supposedly, assembled
	from junk & odd ends (ie. just the thing that would fit our
	budget). However, the plans for items such as the gearbox
	are nonexistant -> only the profile & specs are given. I have
	access to both a mill shop & welder but this won't help...
	I need things like the size of the gears, # of teeth, etc.
	Also, this plane uses the FORD Model "A" engine - not only
	old but also hard to find (we have sent letters to the
	Ford auto club, still waiting) and possibly hard to keep
	up to specs. Also, I'm note sure if I would trust my life
	to an ancient power-plant like that...

	So, what I was wondering was:

	+ Is there anyone in this group who has built (or even heard of)
	this plane? If so, does any such person live within 200 miles
	of Pittsbugh, PA USA? (This would improve our morale :-) and
	it would greatly help if we could come over and see our goal)

	+ (if not) Does anyone know of affordable plans for a plane
	that fits these citeria:

		o Simple to make and fly. Parts can be made and 
		  assembled by "normal" people who have real-life jobs.
		o Fixed-wheel, tail-dragger, high-wing, all-wood &
		  cloth construction, cheap-to-get engine.
		o Plans MUST be complete - all components outlined
		  and disected. Also, no space-age components, materials,
		  or techniques can be used. (if not for the lack of
		  full plans & someone nearby with one, the Aircamper
		  would be ideal.....sniff..sniff..)
		o Our combined budget is $1500/year for about everything.
		  We would also like to finish it before age 50 ;-)
		o As to our skills: He's almost done with his private
		  pilot (PP) and is a programmer by profession. I'm about
		  1/4 done with my PP and am engineer (computer/mechanical)
		  by college (and future profession :-) We have access
		  to tools, a welder, a milling machine, a (maybe) good
		  mechanic. Plus, I've rebuilt an engine before ;-)

	So, anyone know of a plane that fits the bill? If so, PLEASE
	reply. By the way, we're going to buzz around in an ultralight
	today so that we can see if that's an option. We're still
	determined to search for a real plane to build... it's just
	that we can't build the impossible.

	Take care and thanks in advance.

	P.S. Please excuse previous, empty, article.
-- 
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DO NOT REPLY HERE. REPLY TO "fmgst+@pitt.edu". THANK YOU. If that doesn't work,
send that e-mail to "fmg@alpha.smi.med.pitt.edu". Looking for donations of 
parts for a home-built airplane: engines, Al tubing, canvas, bolts, prop, etc!