B.H.P. And Sons Air Camper Aircraft L.L.C.

What are Pietenpol Airplanes?

Pietenpol airplanes built to the plans of my father or my grandfather Bernard H.
Pietenpol are straightforward, no-nonsense airplanes. They're great for puddle
jumping or even long cross country trips. They fly low and slow, the same way
they have for over six decades -- almost seven.

Pietenpol Airplanes (Air Camper and Sky Scout) are low in cost, durable and most
of all, FUN!! Probably the biggest reason they are inexpensive to build is that
almost no aircraft rated-materials are required by the design. They are durable
because the designer B.H. Pietenpol went out of his way to make every part of
the ship stronger than necessary.

We know of no failure of a Pietenpol ship that can be attributed to its design.

In short, we have found the Pietenpol Air Camper and Pietenpol Sky Scout to be
real honest-to-goodness airplanes, built simply and inexpensively by
honest-to-goodness people.

Who was Pietenpol?

Bernard H. Pietenpol was a self-taught mechanic and ''tinkerer'' who lived 'most all
his life in tiny Cherry Grove, a crossroads in southeastern Minnesota. (You'll
sometimes see Spring Valley given as Pietenpol's address -- that's because
Cherry Grove was too small to have a Post Office so Pietenpol used nearby
Spring Valley's.) He was a skilled machinist, an electrician and builder of radios.
As a young man of twenty or so he became very interested in flying and built a
number of small airplanes. When the Model ''A'' Ford was introduced in the late
1920's, Pietenpol experimented with its engine in his airframes. He produced the
first really successful two-place airplane to be powered by a relatively inexpensive
and readily available automobile engine.

Are plans available?

YES! The plans for the two-place ship were first published in 1929 by Fawcett
Publications, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota in its annual Flying and Glider Manual
and its monthly magazine Modern Mechanics and Inventions. The design was
named the Air Camper by one of Fawcett's editors This ship was powered by a
Model "A" engine. Sales of the plans were brisk so the publisher asked Bernard
H. Pietenpol to provide plans for another airplane. This time a single seat ship to
be powered by the less powerful, older, and much less expensive Ford Model
''T'' engine. The Sky Scout was born. Plans were published in the FGM. Reprints
of the early annuals are available from the EAA. The '32 and '33 editions contain
the Pietenpols. In 1993 they were $6.95 each. Order from Order Processing,
EAA Aviation Ctr., Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086; Phone 800-843-3612. Probably no
builder should even think about beginning a Pietenpol without acquiring and
reading these famous articles. You'll even find a steel tube fuselage in one of the
articles. (Wood remains more popular.)

Soon after the Original Air Camper plans were published, Bernard Pietenpol
improved its design and issued new plans dated 1933. These are the plans that
95%+ of the Pietenpol builders use today, and are still available by postal mail
from the son of the designer, Mr. Don Pietenpol, 1604 Meadow Circle, SE,
Rochester, MN 55904-5251. Send Don $5.00 for an information kit.

You can also purchase from Don -Bernard Pietenpol's drawings of the Corvair
and Continental 65 mount, a longer fuselage, full size rib drawings, etc.

In 1998 the Pietenpol family (Don and Andrew) created a family internet web site
to continue on the work of Bernard Pietenpol. This site supports immediate
access to detailed Pietenpol Plan ordering information. The family run web site is
titled "B.H.Pietenpol and Sons Air Camper Aircraft L.L.C."

The URL is www.pressenter.com/~apietenp/

In the 1960's Bernard Pietenpol became interested in using the Chevrolet Corvair
engine to power his ''Air Camper''. After much experimentation, he was satisfied
with the combination and said ''The (164 cu. in.) Corvair engine has plenty of
power for the Air Camper, and is the smoothest engine I have ever flown.'' The
last ship he built for himself is Corvair-powered. It's in the EAA Museum at
Oshkosh, Wisconsin. When you're there, stop by Pietenpol's hangar at Pioneer
Field.

So these three ships, the Ford-powered Air Camper, the Ford-powered Sky
Scout and the Corvair-powered Air Camper are generally considered to be the
''purest'' of Pietenpols. Actually, there have been more than thirty different
engines used to power airplanes of Pietenpol's design. But most members of our
association will tell you that real Pietenpols fly behind Model ''A'' Fords or Chevy
Corvair auto engines.

Are Pietenpol kits available?

No. Pietenpol did advertise and sell kits back in the 1930's. He also built a few
''fly-away'' models. Today, some members of the BPA make and sell some
components. But Pietenpols are essentially a ''scratch-built'' airplane .

How much will it cost to build a Pietenpol?

It's difficult to answer. In the late l980's, one BPA member finished a Ford
powered Air Camper for less than $3500 in out-of-pocket expenses. However, he
is an experienced builder who wanted to build for the lowest possible cost. Also,
being retired, he had the time to ''scrounge'' materials.

Andrew Pietenpol, the grandson of the late designer Bernard Pietenpol continues
to actively build Pietenpol Air Campers. Andrew Pietenpol flys a good sum, and
is currently finishing building up an Air Camper, and is designing the "Air Camper
II" prototype of the future. Andrew lives, thinks, sleeps, builds and flys from the
same "Pietenpol Field" in Cherry Grove, Minnesota that his grandfather Bernard
did when he was at the peak of his designing, constructing and flying days.
Andrew is the last original flying Pietenpol.

Andrew indicates that for about $9067 (2007 dollars) and a lot of scrounging plus 1000
hours of free love construction time a pilot can be in the air.

How much time will it take to build?

Another tough one ... one builder started an Air Camper in November of 1988 and
flew it in June of '89 . He too is an experienced builder and retired. At the other
extreme, one Air Camper flew in 1990 for the first time; some twenty years after it
was begun. Experienced builders remind the novice that ''airplane building is just
a whole bunch of little jobs.''

Engines?

Many Air Campers are being flown today with the Ford Model ''A'' engine. Some
of these ships are quite old; some are brand new. Many are currently under
construction. Five million Model ''A'' Fords were produced and there are plenty of
engines that are available today. A rebuildable engine; block, crank, cam etc., can
be purchased for less than $100. New pistons, boring, babbitting, align boring,
etc. will set you back another $1500.00 or so. Start your looking by writing one or
both of two national Model ''A'' Ford clubs: The Model ''A'' Restorers Club, 24800
Michigan Ave., Dearborn MI 48124 and/or Model ''A'' Ford Club of America, 250
S. Cypress St., La Habra, CA 90631-5586. Ask for the name of a chapter near
you, then phone an officer and attend a meeting.

Corvair enthusiasts also have a national organization: Corvair Society of America,
PO Box 607, Lemont, IL 60439. Phone: 708-257-6530.

What about other engines?

There have been over thirty different kinds of engines used to power Piets.

Where do I obtain The 3 Piece Wing plans?

From Vi Kapler, 1033 Forest Hills Dr. SW, Rochester, MN 55902. $10.00/set.
Includes photos w/plans. Ask Vi about Corvair prop hubs, too.
<Or from>
The Pietenpol Family (Don Pietenpol and Andrew Pietenpol) who continue to run
the late Bernard Pietenpol's Aircraft company: B.H. Pietenpol And Sons Air
Camper Aircraft L.L.C. The URL is www.pressenter.com/~apietenp/

How about Aluminum ''BH Pietenpol Aircraft'' name plates to install on my
Piet's panel or my desk at the office?

Contact Brian Amato, 3871 Whispering Oaks Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684. $7.50
each.

Registration Numbers?

DOT's advisory, ''Airworthiness Certification of Amateur-built Aircraft'' permits use
of ''NX'' on Piets, ''Experimental'' label not required. Many use BH Pietenpol's
number NX899 followed by builder/owner's initials. Nice tribute to Pietenpol.

Are Model ''A'' Ford engines still available?

Yes, Henry made five million of them and there are plenty still around. See the
''FAQ's'' information sheet.

Is my next door neighbor building a Piet?

The BPA publishes its' roster about twice a year. $6.00 per copy from the BPA.

Steel fuselage?

Yes, it's detailed in EAA's reprint of 1932 Flying and Glider Manual. Not nearly as
popular as the wood version.

Shouldn't I redesign the _______?

WHY? Why would you want to? It's been working just fine the way it is for the past
seven decades. People have been trying to "improve" the Air Camper and Sky
Scout for seventy years. And the ones who build a second Piet always build it
closer to the original plans than their first! There is a lesson here.

Where can I get a BPA patch for my cap, jacket, etc?

From ''Pete'' Peterson, 74 Doe Court, Terre Haute, IN 47802-4816. 4" diameter,
multicolored, $4.00 each or two for $7.00.

Who makes components?

Gary Price (25 Taft Rd., Portsmouth, NH 03801-5732), for one. Send him $6.00
(refunded w/1st $25 order) for info. on wire wheels, fuel tanks, etc. .

Charlie Rubeck (RR 3, Box 545, Spencer, IN 47460; 812-829-2069) makes wing
ribs. Also, see Good luck! column in recent newsletters.

Am I building a Pietenpol?

If it was designed and signed by Bernard H. Pietenpol, it is. If it was designed by
someone else, it isn't.

If I'm not building a Pietenpol, am I welcome in the BPA?

Yes, we encourage you to do so!

Can you tell me the minimum length table required to lay out the fuselage
(long version)?

168 inches or 14 foot work bench.

We want you to know (this is very important) please read!!!!!!!

The Pietenpol designs have been popular and successful for over six decades.
Like most of the best homebuilt designs, Pietenpols have been copied and
modified by some builders . That's a legitimate activity. After all, most are
members of the Experimental Aircraft Association. But we think it is unfortunate
that the builders who change the design persist in calling their creations
Pietenpols.

When looking at airplanes, remember the old adage ''Imitation is the Sincerest
Form of Flattery.'' Remember too, Pietenpol plans are labeled ''Designed by B.
H. Pietenpol'' . If you want to build an Original Pietenpol, you need to build from
Original Plans. The Pietenpol Family and the BPA organization suggest you build
from authentic Pietenpol plans. Bernard's Son Don Pietenpol, age 75, sells a
complete set of Bernards Air Camper, or Sky Scout plans by exchanging a
personal check for a set of original plans via the (Unitied States Postal
Service-snail mail).

Bernard's Grandson Andrew Pietenpol sells the exact complete set of Bernard
Pietenpol Air Camper, or Sky Scout plans by exchanging several forms of plastic
credit cards via the B.H.Pietenpol And Sons Air Camper Aircraft Family Internet
Web Site.

The URL is www.pressenter.com/~apietenp/

And there is more:

The Pietenpol Family and the BPA want you to know as prospective Pietenpol
builders that on occasion we find builders believing they were using authentic
plans, but have actually purchased the plans of others and started to build from
them before discovering they weren't building a Pietenpol.

It is not our intent to denigrate the designs of others, nor to convince a builder to
build one design rather than another. But, as members of a ''type'' club we are
sometimes asked by builders for advice or help with their ''Pietenpol'' projects,
only to discover the builder is not working on a ''Piet'' at all.

The Pietenpol Family (Don Pietenpol and Andrew Pietenpol) who continue to run
the late Bernard Pietenpol's Aircraft company: B.H. Pietenpol And Sons Air
Camper Aircraft L.L.C. would ask that you join the BPA organization "Buckeye
Pietenpol Association". Why? (Read On)!!

The Buckeye Pietenpol Association Newsletter is a quarterly clearing house for
Pietenpol news, building tips, Pietenpol-related events, etc. Association dues
(includes subscription) for U.S. residents are $10.00/year. For residents of
Canada or Mexico; $12.00/year. For all others; $15.00/year. Payments accepted
in U.S. funds only. Our address is 6364 Franks Road, Byrnes Mill, MO
63051-1103.

Your BPA exists to promote Pietenpol airplanes, and acknowledge Bernard H.
Pietenpol's contribution to the world of amateur-built aircraft. The association was
formed in 1981 by thirteen Pietenpol enthusiasts from Ohio, the Buckeye state.
It's grown to be the preeminent voice of the Pietenpol movement with members in
many countries.

The BPA is a loosely knit group with no officers or regular meetings; watch the
newsletter for invitations to events.

Their newsletter is published quarterly. Contributions in the form of articles,
photos, letters, etc. are always welcome. Your subscription will start with the
earliest issue in stock or the next issue to be published (depending on how many
recent back issues we have on the shelf) and expires as of the date displayed on
your mailing label.