The Pietenpol Air Camper is an Ideal RC Plane Project
Pietenpol proportions and layout a perfect match for RC models
The Pietenpol Air Camper is a simple homebuilt airplane constructed from plans. The Air Camper was designed and first flown by Mr. Bernard Pietenpol in 1928. The Pietenpol Air Camper was aimed at the home builder of that era, using common building materials and everyday wood working techniques. The Pietenpol remains a poplar building project today. With its parasol wing, open tandem cockpit and generous nose and tail moments, the Pietenpol Air Camper is certainly a plane worth modeling.
Full scale Air Camper by hangar
There really is not much that needs to be altered from the full scale Air Camper layout if you desire to make an RC model airplane. The wing is a constant chord design, thus just one rib outline needs to be drawn. For high wing sport planes like the Pietenpol, there is no requirement for ailerons on a radio control version. Rudder, elevator and throttle are the minimum controls and would provide satisfying flight performance.
If creating an RC model version larger than micro size, ailerons could be added for roll control. Given the slower airspeeds the Pietenpol Air Camper operates at, be aware that adverse yaw is likely to occur when ailerons are employed. Any adverse yaw is easily corrected with coordinated rudder during the turn.
Pietenpol with a radial engine
Pietenpol has adequate control surface area
The Pietenpol’s horizontal and vertical tail surface area appear adequate for a typical RC model. I see no need to increase these areas as is required with other candidate aircraft. This same guidance goes for the Air Camper’s tail and nose moments.
I would start with the center of gravity being located at around 28% of the wing chord, measured back from the wing’s leading edge. As you select your motor and radio control electronics, try and keep the gear as far forward as possible to establish the CG. It is always a simple matter to move equipment aft if your model comes out a bit nose heavy.
Nice view of the Air Camper in flight
As with most RC models, start with 2-3 degrees down thrust for the motor. For first flights, include 2-3 degrees positive wing incidence in your design. One of the design elements that make the Pietenpol an aircraft worth modeling is the simple parasol wing arrangement. The four cabane struts are uncomplicated to replicate and allow for easily building in the correct wing incidence.
Landing gear is often a model design challenge when selecting an RC model plane. The Pietenpol Air Camper has a clean landing gear design that permits good ground handling. Many Pietenpols use large diameter wheels optimized for flight operations from grass fields. These wheels add character to your RC model version. Be careful to keep any additional weight from the larger wheels to a minimum.
Full scale Pietenpol Air Camper under construction
Full scale flight characteristics
When deciding on a plane that is worth modeling, the full scale flight characteristics will be replicated in the radio controlled version. The full scale Pietenpol is a well mannered and easy to fly. These are perfect parameters for a smaller RC model, and ideally suited for indoor flight in confined areas.
A further consideration for selecting a candidate aircraft is the range of full scale versions that can be used for a model’s coloring and decoration scheme. There are literally hundreds of Pietenpol homebuilt planes that provide inspiration in this area.
Stevens AeroModel makes a superb RC balsa kit of the Pietenpol
The original Air Camper used a water cooled Ford Model A car engine for power. The engine’s head, exhaust stack and radiator are easy to fabricate and add a distinctive note to your model. As you do research on various versions of the Air Camper, you will note a wide range of power plants were used to power the aircraft. These engines all lent a distinctive appearance to the cowling and nose outline of the Pietenpol that is easily captured on your model version.
Full scale aircraft structure
The Pietenpol aircraft structure is very easy to capture in an RC model. The full scale version essentially follows modeling techniques for wing and cabane strut layout, as well as framing the fuselage and tail surface. By simply following the full scale construction methods, you will create a faithful reproduction that will survive the wear and tear of RC indoor flight.
The Pietenpol Air Camper is an ideal aircraft to for an RC plane design project, and is an aircraft well worth modeling. Minimum changes need to be made from the full scale version. The outline of the Air Camper is iconic and translates well to any model version. There are numerous kits and plans for the Pietenpol. Consider adding your personal interpretation of this historic aircraft to the lineup at your local modeling field.