The Pietenpol looks a cracking little machine, can anyone tell me what they’re like to fly. I expect the usual remarks like ‘it’s great if you’re not in a hurry and terrific for enjoying being in the air on a still summer evening.’ But what is it like from other aspects like control harmony and response? It’s a machine I’ve seen around but know nothing about.
The Piet is a lovely machine, but like most homebuilts, they vary quite a lot from aeroplane to aeroplane. They certainly are a lovely way of introducing one to proper open cockpit vintage flying.
From the limited time I’ve had in the front cockpit of G-ADRA, I’ll confirm the ‘not in a hurry’ and ‘summer evening’ comments. The cruise speed is about 65mph and with a light wing loading, a gusty day or lots of thermals will have the poor old girl bouncing around like a cork on boiling water.
Like other ultralights of the era, you can’t simply bung two lardy blokes in the cockpit and go flying. With just 65hp in the nose, G-ADRA relies on the curvature of the earth to gain height if fully laden!
Handling characteristics are a lot lighter than the Aeronca, a little lighter than a Cub, a little heavier than the Luton Minor, but typically vintage in that you need to use the rudder all the time to initiate and balance the turns. Mind you after 20 or so years of flying G-ADRA, I think Arthur’s got it sussed!
There’s a great website for British Pietenplodders at http://www.pietenpolclub.co.uk !
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