Pietenpol Air Camper

infobox Aircraft
name = Air Camper
type = amateur-built airplane

manufacturer = Pietenpol



caption =
designer = Bernie Pietenpol
first flight = 1928
introduction =
retired =
status =
primary user =
more users =
produced =
number built =
program cost=
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developed from =
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The Pietenpol Air Camper is a simple homebuilt aircraft designed by Bernard H. Pietenpol.Bowers, Peter M.: "Guide to Homebuilts", 9th Edition, pages 10-12. Tab Books, 1984. ISBN 0-8306-2364-7] Plane and Pilot: "1978 Aircraft Directory", page 150. Werner & Werner Corp Publishing, 1978. ISBN 0-918312-00-0] cite web|url = http://www.pressenter.com/~apietenp/My_Homepage_Files/Page1.html|title = B.H.P. And Sons Air Camper Aircraft|accessdate = 2008-02-01|last = B.H. Pietenpol And Sons Air Camper Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2007]

The first prototype that became the Air Camper was built and flown by Pietenpol in 1928.

Design

The Air Camper was designed to be built of spruce and plywood. One of Pietenpol's goal was to create a plane that was affordable and easy to construct for home builders.

Powerplants

The original model was flown using an Ace four cylinder water-cooled engine. The Model A Ford engine alter became the standard powerplant used. Other engines have also been used including the Ford Model T, Ford V8, Velie, Kinner, Lycoming, Franklin, Continental and Chevrolet Corvair.

In the 1960s BH Pietenpol began to favor converted engines from the Chevy Corvair automobiles. The Corvair engine was smoother, stronger, and significantly lighter in weight compared to the Model A. As a result of the lighter weight of the Corvair engines the airframe was lengthened for weight and balance reasons.Fact|date=February 2008 Over the years over 30 different engines have flown in the Pietenpol Air Camper. Many modern Pietenpol builders prefer Continental A65 or C85 / C90 powerplants.

Construction

Building an Air Camper requires basic woodworking skills and tools. Builders also need to fabricate some metal fittings to attach the wooden parts together. Some welding is required. The plans for the Pietenpol Aircamper were originally published in a four part serial in the "Flying and Glider" Manual.

The original plans include an optional steel tube fuselage. This option saves about 30 pounds, which is very important for a very light aircraft like a Pietenpol.Fact|date=February 2008 However, the plans for the steel tube version are significantly more difficult and less complete than the wood version, and most people still build the all wooden version of the airframe.Fact|date=February 2008

Variants

BH Pietenpol also designed and published plans for a single-seat version of the aircraft named the Sky Scout, which was slightly smaller and was powered by the Ford Model T engine. cite web|url = http://www.pressenter.com/~apietenp/My_Homepage_Files/Page2.html|title = Original Pietenpol Air Camper and Sky Scout Aircraft|accessdate = 2008-02-01|last = B.H. Pietenpol And Sons Air Camper Aircraft|authorlink = |year = 2007] During the late 1920's and early 1930's, this was less expensive than the Model A used in the Air Camper.Fact|date=February 2008

pecifications (Typical Air Camper)

From Plane and Pilot & Pietenpol websiteaircraft specifications
plane or copter?= plane
jet or prop?= prop
ref=
crew= One pilot
capacity= One passenger
length main= 17 ft 8 in
length alt= 5.39 m
span main= 29 ft 0 in
span alt= 8.84 m
height main= 6 ft 6 in
height alt=1.98 m
area main= 135 ft²
area alt= 12.5 m²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 610 lb
empty weight alt= 277 kg
loaded weight main= 995 lb
loaded weight alt= 452 kg
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=1080 lb
max takeoff weight alt=490 kg
more general=

engine (prop)=Ford Model A engine
type of prop=(adapted for aero use)
number of props=1
power main=
power alt=
power original=

max speed main= 86 knots
max speed alt= 100 mph, 160 km/h
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
stall speed main= 30 knots
stall speed alt= 35 mph, 56 km/h
range main=
range alt=
ceiling main=
ceiling alt=
climb rate main= 500 ft/min
climb rate alt= 152 m/min
loading main= 7 lb/ft²
loading alt= 36 kg/m²
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
armament=
avionics=

ee also

aircontent
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lists=
* List of civil aircraft

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References

External links

* [http://www.pressenter.com/~apietenp/ Pietenpol family site]
* [http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collection/aircraft/Pietenpol%20Air%20Camper%20History.asp Sky Camper history on AirVenture Museum site]
* [http://www.threepeakspub.com "The Pietenpol Story" by Chet Peek - Book covering the history of Bernard Pietenpol's Design]