Experimental Aircraft Association
Chapter 1279
French Valley Airport
Murrieta, California

Next Meeting

The next regular chapter meeting will be Sunday 2/26/2012

Special Notice
Young Eagles
Rally was held on October 22, 2011

Pictures taken at the Young Eagles Rally held Saturday October 22nd are now available. Click on the "Young Eagles" tab to view.

New!
Pietenpol Covering Project is now complete.

The Poly-Fiber covering, with final color coat, is now complete and the project has been moved back to the Chapter hangar. New pictures will be available soon.

Click the "Pietenpol" tab above for more...

Member Projects
See Ray Buhr's 1968 Fournier RF4D - Experimental Motor Glider including specifications & photos. Click here....

EAA Chapter 1279

Pietenpol Project

As we begin a new year, it is a good time to reflect on the phenomenal year we had in 2010. The highlight of the year, of course, was the opportunity to take our project to the annual Pietenpol fly-in at Brodhead, Wisconsin and then to the annual EAA convention at Oshkosh.

Though the project is unfinished, we were confident that people would enjoy seeing the airframe and the workmanship that has gone into it. The reception we received at both events surpassed our wildest expectations (see photos below). I believe that organizers at both events were stunned at the interest and enthusiasm among attendees for what is, of course, an unfinished project.

As it turns out, the public (especially other builders) were thankful for the opportunity to see what is under the covering. We may see more of this kind of thing at these events in the future.

Lets take a quick look back at the year just past. In January we had just completed the Pietenpol wings and installed the aileron control system. However, we were still using some temporary aluminum wing struts provided by Jerry Trapp who then took on the task of building the finished struts. Plans called for struts constructed from streamlined steel tubing which has become prohibitively expensive. Jerry suggested aluminum struts and began to research the idea. After careful consideration, we decided to proceed in this direction.

By March the struts were finished and we saw for the first time a completed airframe - varnished and ready for covering. Oshkosh was just a couple of months away, so we began to consider the idea of showing it off before covering it. Thanks to the efforts of long-time chapter member Will Sparkman, we had just moved the project out of the cramped workshop into a full sized hangar at the north end. The project could now remain fully assembled until it was necessary to disassemble it for covering.

The next several months were spent simply putting finishing touches on the airframe in preparation for an Oshkosh trip. The trip to Brodhead and Oshkosh would not have been possible had it not been for the efforts of Tim and Betsy Carlisle. The couple had no background or interest in aviation themselves, but wanted to support their son Brandon's interest. When they heard of our desire to take the Piet to Oshkosh, they thought they could help. They own a motorhome and trailer which they use for family vacations. They were quite certain that Brandon would enjoy the Oshkosh experience, so they very generously offered to make it their annual family vacation. Tim fabricated some wing hangers and tie-downs for the fuselage and we rolled it into the trailer for a test fit. Everything fit and looked secure. The trip was on.

Despite problems created by unusually severe weather this year, both events were successful. I gave a presentation on Saturday at Brodhead on the Pietenpol project and our Builders Workshop program. Late Saturday afternoon Pietenpol enthusiast and Corvair engine guru William Wynne performed a weight and balance calculation on our Piet and in the process gave an impromptu lesson on the process and its importance for the benefit of a small group of observers which had gathered.

At Oshkosh our Pietenpol project was the featured attraction of the newly dedicated "Homebuilder's Hangar." It was prominently displayed and drew an immediate crowd. Tech counselor and chapter vice president Art Froehlich was on hand Tuesday afternoon to answer questions following an hour-long presentation which included lots of photos of our members participating in our Builders Workshop program. The week ended with William Wynne presenting us with a set of valve covers which came off of his own Corvair powered Pietenpol and were engraved with the words "Air Camper." I was touched by his generous support and interest in our project. It will make such a beautiful enhancement to the appearance of our finished engine.

In the last months of 2010 we removed the wings and tail in preparation for covering which we plan to begin on January 29 (weather permitting). The covering process will be supervised by Art Froehlich and former president of EAA Chapter One and Poly-Fiber dealer Jan Johnson.

In the meantime, Jerry Trapp and Dave McPhee have been working hard on getting accessories bolted onto our Corvair engine and fabricating an aluminum cowl. Their doing a terrific job. It looks great!!!

Pietenpol owner/builder Mike Cuy of Ohio informs me that when he was at the same place in the construction of his Piet back in 1998, it took him about a year to get it finished and flying. If that is true for us, then we should be finishing our own project sometime this year.

It's going to be a great year!!!

Our Builders Workshop is open every Saturday morning from 8 am to noon at the French Valley Airport. Visitors are always welcome. There is always work for those who would like to participate.

Come join the fun. I'll see you there.

Steve Williamson, President
EAA Chapter 1279 French Valley, CA