This calculator is supplemental to my Pietenpol Weight and Balance book, trying to use this calculator without first owning, reading and understanding the W&B book is an exercise in futility.
Generations of Pietenpols were built and flown prior my tests, this calculator, or my book. It can still be done, but the obvious evidence of my testing shows that more and more people build Pietenpols without adequate planning, and end up with airplanes with dangerously aft CG’s
Any person with questions about the weight and balance of a Pietenpol they will fly, who is unwilling to purchase the book, but attempts to use this calculator, is admitting they have questions, but also demonstrating they believe the safety of themselves and their passengers isn’t worth $25. They should consider, in the event of an accident where a passenger is injured, how they will defend their decision.
What does this calculator do differently than a regular W&B?
This calculator employs a very complex mathematical equation which, after you input the factors it needs, will tell you the exact maximum weight the pilot can be, and still have the plane within the 15-20” CG range that B.H. Pietenpol himself specified.
A regular weight and balance calculation can be done on a finished plane, but if it turns out poorly, and the pilot’s weight in the plane drags the CG after of the 20” rear limit, it is too late for any easy or good remedy to make the plane airworthy.
Conversely, this calculator will allow the builder to plan the location of the wing and landing gear before they are constructed and assembled. There will be no need for ballast, extensive reworking of the cabanes, nor a need to build new gear.
When I was young in aviation I understood I didn’t have the money to make preventable costly mistakes in building. I was willing to park my ego and learn from others. 35 years later, I don’t have enough flying seasons left to waste my time making any building errors which could have been avoided with an open mind and study of available information. Every person reading this has to decide how important those factors are to them personally. It’s your money, your tome, and ultimately, your life. Choose wisely, impatience and hubris have written the last paragraph of many people’s story in aviation. Click the image above to view the spread sheet. Click the link below to download the spreadsheet to use on your computer locally.