Comments from Amateur Builders and Readers

PL-2_Wendland“I really enjoy my PL-2. You did a great job in designing it and Dave Lavender did a great job building it and I am thoroughly enjoying flying it. As I tell many friends who see the plane ‘it is so well designed and well built that I will stack it up with any Certified plane out there.’ I speak from the viewpoint of one who has held an A&P license for 45 years and IA for seven years. I am rated in Boeing 727, 737, 747 and Airbus A310 but this Pazmany PL-2 is the most fun plane I have ever flown. A great job.” – James Bethel

“After over 30 years from its first FAA Airworthiness and no logged flight time, my PL-4 built by Paul Rodowski took to the air today. Performance was better than expected for an A-65 and controls were perfect. Indicated cruise was 125 MPH at 2150 RPM and max speed of 140 at 2300 RPM. The climb rate was around 1000 fpm at 80. Prop is a 70″ Warnke ground adjustable which I’m probably going to replace with a Sterba.”

“I have to work on my landings since this thing is a real floater. Thanks Paz for a great little bird!” – Mitch Garner

“On March 17, 2008 440WT returned to the air after a 17 month overhaul (Engine was majored and airframe refurbished). Test flights were conducted at Fox Field California. The plane flies as advertised – Landings-60MPH she stays on the ground-70MPH She floats…..I flew the plane to Hurricane Utah(1L8) where it is currently hangared. I want to thank the builder Wade Thomas for the good workmanship in construction, Frank Roncelli for his help on the refurbishment of the ship & Pazmany for designing a great little bird…” – blueangel5912004

Flaps down, slow fly-by

“Since we completed the PL-9 in the spring of 2008, we have had many wonderful and exciting flights.  During the past six years, the PL-9 has proven to be a rugged and reliable performer.  I have especially enjoyed the observation capabilities of the PL-9 because of the arrangement of the windows giving excellent visibility.  This, no doubt, helped us win the “flour bombing” contest at our local airport one year.  One of our favorite things to do is fly to a remote dirt airstrip and after shutting down the engine to just enjoy the extreme quiet and solitude.  We receive many positive comments from people who are thrilled to see its short takeoff and climb performance.  It’s almost as if the local pilots share in our sense of pride in having completed and flown such an amazing aircraft.  If Paz were here, I would say, “Well done!”” – the Hall Brothers

landing“I am an Aircraft Engineer, and aircraft designer from Turkey.I have done my Ms.c on landing gear design for light aircraft. I read a lot of book on this subject, but this book was my favorite book.you can understand its contents easily, and you can get knowledge for how can you calculate the landing gears elements dimensions. However, I am waiting for long time “second volume”. I am sure it would be very good too, and I want to from author when it will be print.” – A Customer who had bought Landing Gear Design for Light Aircraft

“I am a stress analyst working for an aerospace company. I had the oportunity to design and analyze a few landing gears and pazmany’s book was always my guide. It provides all the nessesary information you need to design and calculate any landing gear from scratch. I recommend it to anyone involve in aircraft design. I can’t wait for volume two.” – Jhosee, Landing Gear Design for Light Aircraft review on Amazon

“As far as I know, there are only three textbooks which focus on landing gear design. Conway’s book was published in 1955 and it is out of print. Currey’s book published by AIAA is devoted to the design of landing gears for heavy aircraft (B747 for example) although the theory is valid for any aircraft. Pazmany’s book is the ONLY book which focuses on LIGHT aircraft. It contains excellent theoretical background, many excellent illustrations, many many technical data on tyres, rims, brakes, and addresses of manufacturers. Most notably, there are a few pages which show step by step how to derive the landing gear loads according to the FAR 23 rules, with complete calculations and many illustrations. Many landing gear designs are shown in detail and commented. I was so impressed that I recommended the book to my university’s library (it was ordered) and to my supervisor (he bought it). I strongly recommend any serious light aircraft designer to get the book now that it is still available…” – Mauro Darida, Glasgow, UK

“Please emphasize to [Mr. Pazmany] that he really has helped me overcome my trepidation regarding aircraft design. Complex formulas and symbols scare me, and Mr. Pazmany through his writing style made me feel I could overcome my fear of ever completing a design of my own.  I’m so sorry that I have not come to know him personally. Aviation needs more like him. When I finally do complete my own design, it will be largely because of Mr. Pazmany’s devotion to the passing on of his knowledge.” – Jon Ross

“I just want to say that I greatly admire Mr. Pazmany’s accomplishments in aviation over the years. Although I never met him, as a fellow engineer I can appreciate his thouroughness and attention to detail as evidenced in his drawings and manuals. The fact that probably all of his engineering was done without the help of computers sets the bar high for all of us in aviation. Here’s wishing you all the best for 2014!” – Jim Onago