The Pitchy Plane Project

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:56 am

She`s taking shape.

Disclaimer, don`t try this at home, this is not instructions on how to build a airplane.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:02 pm

That's a good start. How are you joining the wood pieces? Lashing would be my strategery.

Grizz

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:06 pm

Can't wait to see the finished product...slightly concerned about the first test flight...but have total confidence in your abilities...God speed... :)

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:11 pm

Grizz wrote:That's a good start. How are you joining the wood pieces? Lashing would be my strategery.

Grizz

Right now they are screwed but i like the lashing idea, also will be wire X`s in all the openings.
More later.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:30 pm

I spent 30 years in aircraft

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:31 pm

Hmm. Well, Pichty, I see it will be a seaplane, but you might want your pontoons a little wider!

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:48 pm

Bill in Oregon wrote:Hmm. Well, Pichty, I see it will be a seaplane, but you might want your pontoons a little wider!

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:05 pm

Have plans, or are you just going to wing it?

Booger Bill · Post by **Booger Bill** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:35 pm

I cant even finish the one I got!

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:56 pm

It don't look to aerodynamic Pitchy just yet anyhow, you will at liest sand the corners off won't you?

Good luck friend

N.

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm

Man Your gonna have to flap pretty hard to fly that one.....can't wait to see this done.

.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:40 pm

Pitchy wrote:
Grizz wrote:That's a good start. How are you joining the wood pieces? Lashing would be my strategery.

Grizz
Right now they are screwed but i like the lashing idea, also will be wire X`s in all the openings.
More later.

I'm hoping you will rethink the screw idea. Bolts or rivets would be acceptable, but screws are wood splitters and they don't exert enough friction between the pieces. When the frame flexes the stress build-ups at the hard points will tend to work the fasteners which is certain death at any altitude you would not want to fall from.......

I'm certain there are qualified folks around here who can give you all the correct terminology and examples from aviation best practices of how it's done, I think.

Best
Grizz

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:40 pm

BlaineG wrote: Have plans, or are you just going to wing it?

Wing and a Prayer

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:54 pm

Remember my goal is to just lift off a foot or so, it will be towed behind a truck on a short rope so it can`t get too high.
There won`t be any skin on it other the wing and tail and rudder.
All i want to occomplish is being able to say i built something that flew once, which is all it will probably hold together fore.
Don`t worry boys, i`m not worried and have lived a good life.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:23 pm

Getting too high isn't the problem.

The problem is getting towed behind a truck!
That kind of stuff can mess ya up!

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:27 pm

Grizz wrote:Getting too high isn't the problem.

The problem is getting towed behind a truck!
That kind of stuff can mess ya up!

Well how else am i gonna get airborne, i ain`t putting no prop on this thing.
If this thing don`t lift at under 30 mph the heck with it i`ll put it on a pedestal and make the trainer out of it.

Gobblerforge · Post by **Gobblerforge** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:32 pm

I can only imagine how you will arm this one. Perhaps a caged skunk to be dropped over them arrow shooters. You know, germ warfare.

I will pass on some sage wisdome from a pilot I knew. Takeoffs are optional, landings are manditory.
Gobbler

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:39 pm

Only three things are necessary for flight. Fuel, airspeed, and luck. Any two of those can get you back on the ground.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:12 pm

OK,
I feel better now, lift off for a few feet, no altitude.
I now do not think you are as crazy as I did 3 hours ago.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:48 pm

Pitchy wrote:
Grizz wrote:Getting too high isn't the problem.

The problem is getting towed behind a truck!
That kind of stuff can mess ya up!
Well how else am i gonna get airborne, i ain`t putting no prop on this thing.
If this thing don`t lift at under 30 mph the heck with it i`ll put it on a pedestal and make the trainer out of it.

I know, I'm just saying the tow part is what's more dangerous. There are lots of videos that show how it's done, and truck tows work just fine.

Old Ranger · Post by **Old Ranger** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:06 pm

Pitchy,

Ya know I've jumped several times in the army. Did a couple of HALO jumps too. Repelled from a hovering helicopter into the jungle a time or two with NVA close by. But you couldn't get me near that gizmo! I ain't got the guts for that kinda stuff! Rather be shot at again!

I don't think a chute would help ya if that contraption ever got off the ground and then took a nose dive to tera firma!

I was just wondering if your insurance covers homebuilt aircraft? Your wife may become a wealthy widow!

Oh well, ahhhhh.....Happy Landings???

Wade, your buddy on the GROUND!

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:14 pm

I`m not sure if this thing will work or not, got the elevator working good have to make a tail and rudder yet.
I`ll probably have a hand control for the rudder as there isn`t no room up front for foot feet.
The ailerons are going to be a challenge.
Here`s a video of what we have done so far, lots of wires.

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:43 pm

LOOKING GOOD PITCHY !!!!! I believe you'll do it.

ving-thorr · Post by **ving-thorr** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:29 pm

Pitchy,

You give me hope. Retirement can be a second childhood, and doesn't have to be sitting around waiting to die and bemoaning lost youth. All of life is worthy of living.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:31 pm

Atlatls to aircraft

Cool beans man.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:07 pm

2 pieces of pilot wisdom an old AF pilot told me when I talked about buying an ultralight:

1 - There are bold pilots, and there are old pilots; but, there are no old, bold pilots!

2 - Any landing you walk away from is a good landing!

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:07 am

Just remember to film the "take off". Then we can add it to the footage of "Those Amazing Men and their Incredible Flying Machines"

, it will view right after the helicopter that has the wings that flap up and down.

We can edit out the embarrassing parts later.....

Gobblerforge · Post by **Gobblerforge** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:03 am

handirifle wrote: We can edit out the embarrassing parts later.....

But that's why we keep watching. If it was boring, why bother.

I'm reminded of another bit of wisdom. When picking seats for air travel, we always look to the back of the plane. Planes are'nt known for backing into mountains.

Gobbler

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:35 am

- There are bold pilots, and there are old pilots; but, there are no old, bold pilots!

Old motorcycle saying too, There are old riders and there are bold riders but there are no old bold riders. Not sure i agree with that or not as i`m still riding.

Thanks guys, i think this thing will be ready by the end of the week but don`t know if the weather is going to cooperate as it`s supposed to be windy and snow.
Though a foot of snow might be just the thing to crash land on.

rossim92 · Post by **rossim92** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:43 am

BlaineG wrote:Only three things are necessary for flight. Fuel, airspeed, and luck. Any two of those can get you back on the ground.

well

for the fuel part pitchy , eat a lot of pinto beans night before, and you should have plenty of tail wind!

bdhold · Post by **bdhold** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:10 am

Pitchy, I don't think this is your best idea.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:24 am

bulldog1935 wrote:Pitchy, I don't think this is your best idea.

He was flying upside down, i won`t try any of those tricks.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:09 am

Pitchy,

Since you've joined LG you've made all sorts of things. Rope stretchers, spinning wheels, steam engines, but this is different.
I know you will succeed. Just don't get yourself hurt. I know that's not in the plans, but brown stuff happens.

Oh and get somebody who can hold the camera still to film this. I am waiting patiently.

And my wife says watch out for the cops. They don't like anybody having fun.

Joe

KCSO · Post by **KCSO** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:16 am

Seems like I remember an OLD Popular Mechanics 1930's circa having plans for a glider in it. Had a frame somewhat like that if I remember right. Should work.

bdhold · Post by **bdhold** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:35 am

I know someone who found one of these wrecked in the woods and rebuilt it to fly again.
http://toolmonger.com/2010/02/01/how-to ... ir-camper/
The Pietenpol Air Camper, powered by a model-T engine

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:04 pm

rafter-7 · Post by **rafter-7** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:34 pm

The "SPRUCE GOOSE" comes to mind have you named it yet????

and is the hanger door wide enough for the first trip out to the "Gravel Mac"

your one of a kind dude! you belong out here WEST of the river

rafter

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:41 pm

Pitchy,

I hope you're wearing yer kilt on the maiden voyage. It would really add some pizazz!

To add to what Griff said, Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing, any landing which allows you to re-use the plane again is a GREAT landing.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:50 pm

No the door isn`t big enough but the wing is easy to remove .
Looking this thing over i`m getting convinced it will be a one flight deal but ya never know.
I might try it empty first by sitting on the tail gate and put a long stick attached to the elevator stick so i can control the altitude and see if the thing will even lift off .
Looking like this weekend may be the test flight.

Now Rusty

Booger Bill · Post by **Booger Bill** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:28 pm

I would build a super huge cockpit. Then I would design a huge air filled rubber suit to put on. Pitchy, I have crashed at least 3 harleys, I totaled one airplane and bent another. My stupidity and boldness got me in trouble many times and no thanks to me, but thanks to Gods grace and his angels is the only reason I still am here. Yet I still want to fly, but have money and physical restraints.
More power to you, I admire you! Be safe and think things through.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:03 pm

Will do Bill and don`t think i`m not worried and careful.

Can someone tell me what controls roll or yaw in this airplane, is it wing flex?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=mlx ... =endscreen

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:34 pm

it kind looks like wing warp. those wings appear flimsy.

there is an easy way to get aileron effects without making them. use spoilers on the top wing surface. that pushes the wing down when its lifted up, and doesn't require the other side to do anything. some model planes use this system.

I think it's better to have some positive, instantaneous, and direct roll control, as opposed to warping the wings which seems to produce slow response, not something you want. especially if you're gonna stay in ground effect where the margin for error is small.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:56 pm

Grizz do ya have some more info about the spoilers, might be something i could use.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:15 pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoiler_%28aeronautics%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_control_surfaces

http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forum ... ntrol.html

not as good roll control as ailerons. I'd say the ailerons are your friends.

Also, have you seen this airplane? It has leading edge slats and those give you LOTS of lowspeed lift and improved laminar flow over the top wing surface. I've flown a stinson with 6' of leading edge slats and you could fly in a stall with full aileron control. just saying....

http://www.zenithair.com/stolch701/index1.html

this airplane is what I would build if I won a lottery. there is a lot of information on the site with very good drawings and explanations of how the wing works and what's good about it. there are con arguments too but you can see from the videos how they perform.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:26 pm

Thanks, i seen those slats on a bush plane plane on TV once, big balloon tires and lands on a dime.
I don`t have anything on the wing at this time, hooking up the aileron cables seems impossible. Gotta come up with something.

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:58 pm

Brother Pitchy, I'm impressed, as always, with your ability, but please, please, please be careful. We want you around for a long time.

Booger Bill · Post by **Booger Bill** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:02 pm

Pitchy, if you start pageing through this web site you will find every possible question and answer somewhere in it available.

http://www.eaa.org/

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:07 pm

Thanks Kim and everyone else for your concerns it`s appreciated.
Maybe i should add a four inch wide thin board on the leading edge of the wings at an angle for more lift.
Wonder if it would stay level enough without ailerons just to check for lift at what speed?

LeverBob · Post by **LeverBob** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:14 pm

Pitch...Mi Amigo...are you going to tow it behind your Hog Or use it as a weathervane?

Your Pard,

LeverBob

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:01 pm

Gonna fly bro, fly.

I talked to Red Green and he said too duck tape the skin on the wing so that`s what i did

We`re ready for flight.