Pietenpol Air Camper

Replica of aircraft first flown in 1928
(Photos courtesy of Simon McCormack, Brian Green and Max Wiggins)

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Swinging the prop
Air Camper
Cockpit
Brian at the controls
Ready for flight

Scale project?

Submitted by Max Wiggins

The photos of the Air Camper were taken at "Cranbourn Airfield", Mt Direction in Tasmania, on March 28, 2005.

The plane is brand new and was built at St Leonard's by Simon McCormack.

Simon is shown about to swing the prop in one of the pictures with his friend and test pilot Brian Green at the controls.

Both Simon and Brian hold GA pilots licences.After a few hours dual instruction from Brian in tail dragger handling etc. I was lucky enough to see Simon solo his new plane on Monday.

The cockpits are pretty small and it takes a bit of acrobatics to get in and out. The air passing through the radiator is quite warm on the face and body of the person in the front cockpit. The aircraft sounds and feels a bit like Tiger Moth In flight.

I have included some info from the Air Camper web site for your information.

Bernard H Pietenpol 1901-1984

Born in Spring Valley (airfield in Cherry Grove), Minnesota, Mr. Pietenpol was considered Minnesota's premiere aircraft homebuilder. He learned to fly in the 1920's constructing his first homebuilt airplane in 1923 with a Ford Model T engine (Sky Scout). In April of 1929, he brought a Model A engined two-seat airplane (Air Camper) to Minneapolis, Minnesota to show the editor of Modern Mechanics magazine that an auto engined airplane could indeed fly. The plane's plans were published in the magazine and it became a favorite homebuilt airplane, which continues to this day. Mr. Pietenpol is considered the "Father Of Homebuilt Aircraft".

Original Air Camper Specs:

Wing Span 29 ft.
Wing Chord 5 ft
Length 17 ft. 8 in.
Height Overall 6 ft. 6 in.
Tread 53 in.
Empty Weight 610 lb.
Engine Ford A car engine
Useful Load 385lb.
Climb Light Load over 500ft. first min.
Climb Full Load over 200ft. first min.
High Speed 90 mph
Landing Speed 40 mph
Fuel Capacity 10-18 gal.
Take-off Run 150 ft.
Landing Run 250 ft.

Max Wiggins