The International Cessna 170 Association

What are the details? New addition?

At annual time last year I added the double puck wheels and calipers necessary to someday install the Bushwheels.
Got the STC from Atlee Dodge in Anchorage.
This year while it was in for annual I called Airframes Alaska just to get acquainted and talk about the best size for the 170.
I had already read everything one can find on the forums on the subject but was still not convinced the 31's were best for me. 29's are also a good choice.
All he had to say was "no one ever wished they had smaller tires" and my mind was made up.
I wasn't really planning on buying them at the moment though.
I learned the 31's are by far the most popular tires they sell. They were 2-3 weeks out on having some available for purchase due to the backlog.
I also found out there is a waiting list for blemish tires at a 15% discount. Currently they had people in the list for 29's and 35's but no one on the 31's list.
It was an omen.
They include the STC in the purchase price along with the list of approved aircraft.
My mechanic signed off the necessary paperwork.
It is, by far, the best addition I had done yet to this airplane.
I already had the 180 gear legs.
It adds a whole new dimension and adventure to flying to some of the same old places when trying to avoid the asphalt and finding a patch of grass or gravel to land on so as not to wear them out prematurely.
Then there's the safety factor in case of forced landing.....
Overkill? Yes.
Worth it? Absolutely!
Good times..!

Nice picture! What prop are you running?

Thanks fellas.
She's taken on a whole new personality lately!
Propeller is a McCauley 76/49.
Pretty good short field and climb when light but still planning on a 180 hp conversion.....someday.

I'm sure Cessna never dreamed of what folks could do with their Businessliner!

hilltop170 wrote:I'm sure Cessna never dreamed of what folks could do with their Businessliner!

Gibbs Flying Service bought into the Businessliner hype, because our airplane was used for charter flights around southern California in her early years.

I wish I could go back in time to see my family's 170 roll off of the assembly line.

Fishdoc,

When you think about a future conversion to more power, please give a lot of consideration to the TCM IO-360. It will fit right inside of the existing cowling and you will not have to lose sleep over those ugly cheek bumps. It will also run really smoothly compared to that other four cylindered aberation that shakes like a dog desperately trying to pass a series of peach pits.

. Finally got it done. 54 170B with Avcon 180 conversion. Love it.

. Just getting the engine broke in. Only 10 hrs. So far and love the change in performance

Congratulations on the fairly significant update!! what kind of weight did it come back as? i bet she really moves now!

Yes it's been great. When all was said and done, it is 28 #s lighter than it was and I picked up at least 10mph. Looks like it's going to settle in and cruise at about 128 @ 65%. During engine breakin, when I was running it hard, I was getting 135-140. The biggest difference has been in take off and climb. Nearly cut my take off in half. I am a rancher in western SD and have had a lot of rain lately, and it has made it much easier to get off of my runway when soft. I am loving the Mcaulley variable pitch prop as well. Really makes a work horse out of it. Very pleased with the upgrade!!

Thanks Mr. i see similar performance in mine as well!!

Ah popycock! Those four bang Lycomings shake like a fox terrier desperately trying to pass an intestinal obstruction on a icy surface. Did you ever noyice that most of the in flight pictures of those conversions are kind of blurred. I've heard that some of the pilots land with their hands numb form gripping the yoke.
Six bang TCM engines are so much smoother.

Much quieter and aesthetically pleasing too:)


We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread viewing...

Poppycock or not, there is no denying the added performance. My plane has to work for a living, so a little vibration (which I barely notice) is an easy trade for me. I love it!