Low and Slow for 70 Years!

The Pietenpol Air Camper

By Paul J Shenton & Louise Fox

 

If you have ever read 'Sagittarius Rising' by the late Cecil Lewis, you couldn't fail to be mesmerised by the flowing descriptions of his flying during the First World War. The vivid tales of coping with the unreliable machines of the day, the often-inclement weather, and of course the enemy! Real wind in the hair and whistling of the flying wires stuff. In me, it awoke the urge to taste the 'pioneering' spirit of aviation, minus the 'Hun in the sun'. How best to achieve this than build an aeroplane that reflected the era myself! This led me to buy the plans of an 'all wood' aeroplane designed in the late 20's, with an open cockpit and a spare seat to share the experience. Thus, my connection with the Pietenpol Air Camper had begun.  

Designed by the late Bernard Pietenpol, and first flown on 20th May 1929, the Air Camper was initially powered by a Ford Model A automotive engine. Built along the same lines as contemporary designs of the time, and in fact sharing the same longerons, braces and fuselage layout as the de-Havilland Gypsy Moth. The Air Camper is a two seat, open cockpit, parasol wing design which these days is also powered by an assortment of aero engines. On the 22nd of October 1986 the first UK example G-BMLT, built by Frank Hawke, took to the skies. Since then a small number of other UK Air Campers have flown, and others including mine, are at varying stages of construction. All have there own individual characteristics and minor modifications; such is the versatility of the design, and the flexibility of the Popular Flying Association which oversees 'Home-building' in the UK.

 

Test Drive!

I had started to build mine before I'd even flown in one. I suppose this is akin to buying a car before having a test drive! However, a fly-in held at Sywell gave me my first opportunity to 'have a go'. The example I flew in was G-BUCO built, owned and flown by the very enthusiastic Alan James. As I clambered into the front cockpit (a feat in itself), I was instantly assured that I had chosen the right aeroplane, the construction of which would justify endless hours buried in the workshop! I revelled in being exposed to the elements amongst a jungle of flying wires, braces and struts, and being surrounded by the leather and wood of the 'vintage' cockpit interior.

Alan hand swung the propeller into life and the whole aeroplane started to rock in anticipation. What had started out as a dream, an assorted collection of spruce, fabric and parts, now strained full of life against the wheel chocks. As we trundled down the runway, every bump in the grass could be felt through the lightly sprung undercarriage. We lifted off, and with a very healthy rate of climb, turned toward the west. From behind Alan's spare pair of goggles I was afforded a wonderful view of the Northamptonshire countryside, framed by the lift struts, and large wheels that had once adorned a motorcycle!

It didn't take long at the controls to get the feel of the Air Camper. Both the rudder and elevator are reasonably light, the ailerons slightly heavier but producing a perfectly adequate roll rate. The original plans did not incorporate any trim controls, and with the stable platform that the aeroplane offers I can understand why. The stall is viceless, giving plenty of warning and no tendency to drop a wing. An aeroplane designed to float serenely aloft in a summer sky, with the ability to land in a farmer's field for a quick lunch stop! All this without disturbing the calm down below. Alan has a 'Swiss Silencer' fitted to G-BUCO which makes it almost inaudible from the ground when cruising at a couple of thousand feet. With no flap to worry about the approach is straightforward, and sideslip can be safely utilised to aid your view on finals. The only major handling challenge the Air Camper offers is flying an approach to land from the rear seat with a passenger sat in the front obstructing your forward view! On touchdown the rudder remains very effective, and with the aid of differential braking, keeping straight isn't a problem throughout the ground roll.

We trundled back in and shutdown, and as I set off for home I had a renewed enthusiasm to return to the workshop! The Pietenpol Air Camper was everything I was looking for; a nostalgia trip with every flight, combined with safe and pleasant handling.

 

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Project no 0092

Fortunately, I am lucky enough to have a father who has the same enthusiasm and interests as I do, together with a lot more practical ability! No sooner had I roped him into the project than he became not only chief consultant and project manager, but also the primary worker. My mother was also been dragged in and become somewhat of a 'dab hand' with the glue. So far we have completed the tailplane, which has been signed off by our ever-helpful PFA inspector, the wing ribs, and made inroads into the wing centre-section. The ribs required 1568 individual bits of wood to make the required 32, all finished off by hand. No wonder it's taking us so long!

We are currently working on the main spars, which as of February '99 are about ready to glue. Then the wing will start to take shape, and from there, well that's another story...

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First Impressions   Louise Fox

I feel that first I have to admit to not being a complete aircraft enthusiast, and my interest in this flight stems purely from the fact that there is one 'growing' in my garage, albeit in unrecognisable form to the untrained eye! So, when the opportunity to experience a flight in one arose, I jumped at the chance to see what it would eventually look, and feel like to fly.

It was the end of long summers day last august, when on returning from a family day out at Blenheim Palace, Paul (my other half, and Air Camper builder) suggested we visit Arthur Mason at Hinton Airfield where he would be flying his Air Camper. Sounded okay to me, more the promise of the visit to the pub afterwards than standing around watching aeroplanes but little did I know.... We arrived and Arthur was standing next to his plane, Paul shouted 'is it still okay?' to which  Arthur replied 'yes', then I realised something was cooking! 'Right Lou, do you fancy a flight with Arthur?' What could I say? I had no real opportunity to stop and think about it (which was a good thing for me, having used a paper bag a few months earlier whilst flying with Paul in a Grob) I was immediately dressed in a lovely black flying suit, with what I would call a real 'flying hat' on my head.

 Handing my baby daughter over for safe keeping, I climbed into the cockpit (with a helping hand from Arthur). I confess to feeling quite nervous, the thought of sitting in an aeroplane, with the wind blowing in my hair should have added to the excitement, but not in my case...however, as soon as we were 'off' pure enjoyment took over.

Airborne

Once the engine had been started, I could no longer hear anything anyone said. Nerves were forgotten as we took off into the sunset. It was an ideal evening, the day was just cooling down, and the sky was an array of colours. Apparently, 'flying conditions' were excellent for the Air Camper...good job. The engine made a distinctive 'put put' as we flew about, indeed one that I have come to recognise as Arthur flies about overhead. It almost felt like I was flying alone up there (thank god I wasn't) and I felt quite isolated, unable to chat to Arthur and let him know how much I was enjoying myself. We headed out across country, in which direction I could not say. but was rather pleased with myself when I began to recognise local landmarks (and I was looking down without feeling sick! - might make a pilot after all!). We passed over the M40, where to my untrained eye, it appeared that the cars were travelling faster than we were. I even began to be able to name local villages, noted the odd swimming pool in a few back gardens. I was even more proud of myself when I recognised  my house down below, this 'navigation' thing was turning out to be a breeze!!

Coming in to land, some bloke decided to walk across the airfield, so we went round again. I didn't actually see him, and couldn't speak to Arthur to find out why he hadn't landed, so was slightly unnerved until I spotted a group of people waving at us from below, so I thought I wave back, and completely forgot the nerves. Anyway, the next time we landed without any problems, and I  was soon back with my feet firmly on the ground.

It was a real 'buzz' for me, exciting yet relaxing, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. All I can say is Paul, hurry up and finish ours, and Arthur, when can I go up again!

 

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Beware the Air Camper bug can strike at any age!