Dick Navratil's Pietenpol Aircamper

History and technical information about the Piet:

The first plane was introduced in the 1932 Flying and Glider manuals and it was intended to carry a Ford Model A engine.

In 1933 a new plane was introduced, known as the Improved Aircamper, also for the Model A, but commonly the Continental A-65 was also used. At the same time an option was made for a steel tubed fuselage.

In the mid 1960's a new fuselage was introduced to carry the Corvair engine and a couple of others they were playing with. This new fuselage is approximately 12" longer than original. To further complicate things, a man named Grega drew a plan which he called the Grega Aircamper which is by outside appearance, the same. The differences are that he used J-3 parts and fittings to make the plane easier to build. So there are total 5 fuselages out there, with different weight and balance problems.

Dick Navratil built his plane with the R-2800 in mind from the start so he constructed it with the Long Fuselage.

Though the Ford Model A engine is similar in weight to the R-2800 depending on the fuselage and c/g considerations for both engines there needs to be some additional considerations in regard to:

• Construction of the engine mount with possibly penetrating the firewall using a recess so as to set the engine back
• Placement of the oil tank (in relation to space available)
• A cognacense to the location and access to the the various bolt on accessories without hindering the functionality of the passenger cockpit.

The Rotec factory provides assistance and a free design service with any order in regards to a mounting frame and layout. The work is done in collaboration checking on and for a desired outcome.

19th March 2005 Dick Writes:

My engine arrived while I was out of town a couple of weeks ago. I went to the hangar and did a first test installation today. It's a real beauty.

Dick Navratil

Oil Fuel Tank and Battery Installation ...

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Details: Hinge Mount, Hardware (Oil filter, Carb filter, Fuel Pump...), Instrumentation and Harley Wheel & Brake ...

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Ready to Start ...

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Click on the thumbnail to view full size... You won't be disappointed!

Great news about the 1st Start..

From: Dick Navratil [mailto:horzpool@goldengate.net]
Sent: Thursday, 13 April 2006 11:25 AM
To: Rotec
Subject: start up

Hi Jim

I started the engine for the first time yesterday. It runs very smooth. I ran it for 3 seperate short intervals today. On first start up it spit out some oil from the exhaust with a white puff of smoke. I take that it was left in the cylinders from shipping. It was a bit hard starting tilll I figured out that I had crossed the choke and throttle cables.

No matter how much you check, there is always something to miss.

11th November 2006 Dick writes : Jim
I have made progress lately. The tail section is on and finished. I have finished the wing center section but have not mounted it yet..... ... As soon as I have the wing center section mounted, I will be sending more pics. I will be working on finishing the wings over the winter and will probably finish this project by spring, ready for taxi tests.
Dick

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18th Nov 2006 Dick adds:

The slot cut into the bottom of the center section is where the radios will go.

The wing is almost ready for covering, just a few finishing touches left.

The tail section is finished and installed.

Poly Fiber made a special batch of Poly Tone finish for me. It is a clear finish with a wood type stain added and UV filter.

I did a lot of testing to try for a look of stretched leather. I'm pretty happy with the result. I have the leather for the interior, I will be starting on that. I'm going to have a saddle shop finish it for me. I want the seats to have a western saddle type of look.

I am planning on taking my Piet to a fly in at Brodhead, Wi. by trailer, the weekend before OSH. Sure, I would like to join you at the show. I could trailer the plane up. I really think that it will be done, but there is no way I can can close to having test flights even close to being done.

Dick

Dick will be joining Rotec at Osh 2007

Booth 400 North Aircraft Display (map to find us)

21-June 2007:Hi Jim,
I have been hard at work on my project. Here are some new pics. I completed hook up on the fuel wing system today. Last week I put the finishing touches on the brake system. Now I'm balancing and tuning the wings and controls. Soon I will be at the point of first taxi test.

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See you at OSH. - Dick N.

Absolutely Superb! ... Looking forward to the next set of pics ...