Polen Special Still The Fastest 4 Cylinder Airplane | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-04.22.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.16.24

Airborne-FlightTraining-04.17.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-04.18.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.19.24

Join Us At 0900ET, Friday, 4/10, for the LIVE Morning Brief.
Watch It LIVE at
www.airborne-live.net

Sun, Jul 29, 2012

Polen Special Still The Fastest 4 Cylinder Airplane

It Resides With Dick Keyt In Granbury, TX

By Tom Woodward

What would it be like to own one of anything? The Hope diamond, a rare coin or a Buggatti type 41. OK there are three of those but you get the idea. Could you trust yourself to maintain the legacy of that object? Dick Keyt, of Pecan Plantation Airpark in Granbury, TX, and member of EAA chapter 983 is the keeper of such an object, the Polen special.

In 1967 Dennis Polen began working on the idea and plans for what would become an airplane who's performance would eclipse every other machine in it's class and has gone on to achieve legendary status, sort of the Bob Dylan of aviation. Dennis and his friends, without the help of corporations or funding, had plans for three aircrafts for nothing more than their own pleasure, only one being in flying status. In 1973 Dennis brought the Polen Special to Oshkosh to rave reviews and received a deluge of mail from interested people all over the world but the reclusive Polen had made his point. Sometime later Dennis fell ill and the airplane remained hidden until Dick Keyt convinced Dennis that he would be the best bearer of the torch.

Keyt is a retired airline pilot, former Airline pilot, CFI, A&P and machinist and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota. After a few years of lobbying, Dick persuaded Dennis to sell him the Polen Special. He has kept the promise he made to himself to keep the airplane flying but more importantly to keep the legend of Dennis Polen alive.

Here's what this magnificent airplane can do. On only 180 HP the Polen Special achieves a maximum speed of 320 mph! Using his engineering and machining skills Keyt continues to modify the airplane in search of the most efficient flying vehicle. Currently working on a new fiberglass cowl which allows sufficient cooling for the turbocharging he installed in an attempt to better his own World record in the 500KM class with a speed of of 303.5 mph. Keyt has also set up a non-profit educational foundation which stimulate innovation and strengthens work habit with practical, one on one training for young people.

FMI: www.polenspecial.com/polen_special.htm

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (04.24.24): Runway Lead-in Light System

Runway Lead-in Light System Runway Lead-in Light System Consists of one or more series of flashing lights installed at or near ground level that provides positive visual guidance a>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.24.24)

Aero Linx: Aviation Without Borders Aviation Without Borders uses its aviation expertise, contacts and partnerships to enable support for children and their families – at hom>[...]

Aero-FAQ: Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories -- ITBOA BNITBOB

Dave Juwel's Aviation Marketing Stories ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Busine>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Best Seat in The House -- 'Inside' The AeroShell Aerobatic Team

From 2010 (YouTube Version): Yeah.... This IS A Really Cool Job When ANN's Nathan Cremisino took over the lead of our Aero-TV teams, he knew he was in for some extra work and a lot>[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 04.18.24: CarbonCub UL, Fisher, Affordable Flyer Expo

Also: Junkers A50 Heritage, Montaer Grows, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Vans' Latest Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase'>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC