Quick Facts
Pietenpol Air Camper
Kit Plane
Part of the Air Zoo Collection
Located in the Flight Discovery Center
Designer Bernard Pietenpol (1901-1984) was intrigued by the possibilities of manufacturing low cost and durable aircraft kits. The 'common man' could build the kit with a few tools and his own hands. Designed in 1929, it was all-wood construction, and offered the flexibility of using several different engines. Among the engines used were the Model A Ford, Chevy Corvair, A-65, and Continental. It had a short and slow takeoff run. With a top speed of 100 mph, the Air Camper was a versatile flying machine. The Pietenpol kit was the first to use split-axel landing gear, which kept costs within reach of anyone wanting to build one.
The Air Zoo’s Pietenpol
Working from manufacturer’s blueprints dated 1939, Air Zoo docent Bob Humbert began constructing the Air Camper in 1969 out of Sitka Spruce. The airplane was donated to the museum in 2011 and is on display at the Flight Discovery Center.
Quick Facts
Designer: Bernard Pietenpol
Designation: Air Camper
Role: Kit/Homebuilt
Built: 1969
Engine: Continental C-75-12F, 75 hp
Fuel capacity: 10-18 gal
Top speed: 100 mph (160 km/h)
Take off speed: 60-70 mph (96.56-112.65 km/h)
Length: 17 ft 8 in
Wingspan: 28 ft 2 in