A friend asked if I knew anyone on BCP who had done such a thing. I was only able to find one STC in the FAA database, and it was sorely lacking for description or details. The Avion STC for the 170 has been around a long time, and is probably close enough, but it's not for the 185.

He's in Alaska and feels confident he can get it by his FSDO, but is in the research phase and hopes there's someone out there who has done it or has records of it.

I don't know any other details. I imagine it's for avionics clearance as that's the only reason to do it.

Thanks.

Interesting. I've flown some early 185s and wasn't aware that the 185 ever had a "T" style control column.

MTV

mtv wrote:Interesting. I've flown some early 185s and wasn't aware that the 185 ever had a "T" style control column.

MTV

Me neither until yesterday.

Avion does a 185 column conversion:
Not sure if it is STC or 337 with documents required.

Uses column from a 1964 or newer 172 as a starter.
If you supply the column it will obviously be cheaper.

http://avion.com/

if the person answers with a Kiwi accent it should be Trevor the owner.

Trimmed as close as I can

Zzz wrote:

mtv wrote:Interesting. I've flown some early 185s and wasn't aware that the 185 ever had a "T" style control column.

MTV

Me neither until yesterday.

The detailed model year history link from Skywagons.com appears to be broken on their site, but I googled and found it here: http://www.allboutaircraft.com/skywagon.html

It appears the change occurred with the D model, in 1965.

with apologies for the drift,

-DP

denalipilot wrote:

Zzz wrote:

mtv wrote:Interesting. I've flown some early 185s and wasn't aware that the 185 ever had a "T" style control column.

MTV

Me neither until yesterday.

The detailed model year history link from Skywagons.com appears to be broken on their site, but I googled and found it here: http://www.allboutaircraft.com/skywagon.html

It appears the change occurred with the D model, in 1965.

with apologies for the drift,

-DP

We actually host that here now. I asked for Mark Pilkington's permission.

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/knowle ... stinctions

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/knowle ... stinctions

I still need to beautify a bit.

FWIW, I just redid the panel on my '54 180 and fit in a Garmin Audio panel, a 430W and an SL40 all without changing the "T" control. There is still 5/8" between the bottom of the stack and the top of the "T". IA had me fab a bracket from the bottom of the stack to the firewall to remove any chance of conflict. His interpretation is that it is a non structural change and a log entry with no other grief required. I am tickled with the new configuration. The transponder is still low but it seemed like a fair compromise to not pay Avion's $5K and still get the radios up where they make sense. I can send photos if it helps any.

I have a good U shaped column if anyone wants it.
Gary

My 63 P172D has the T column, and other than having to spread the avionics out laterally, it's not a big deal, sure not worth spending the money to change to a Y column and reconfigure the panel. As you can see from this pic, the most used items are still plenty handy--just not as "neat" (whatever that means) as a center stack. The only item that is inconveniently located is the ADF, which you can see is down below on the right, so it takes a little head motion to see it well enough to change the frequencies.



This is an older picture. The new Bendix-King KT 74 transponder is lots easier to read and to change the squawk code, than the old Narco was.

Cary

But there is an STC from avion for a new control column and instrument panel. http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/D4D860DC140E82E986256D1200735E02?OpenDocument
I know of two people that have dealt with the other ways of converting the T to a Y/U yoke on the 185.

PM me if you would like to get their contact details!

I’m very interested in converting my 54 C-180 to center stack radios. I have the Tee Yoke. You mentioned accomplishing the center stack without changing to a U yoke. Would you mind sending me a picture or two of your panel?
Thank you
Pete Montanelli
907-802-9876
[email protected]
N180TF

flyingzebra wrote:FWIW, I just redid the panel on my '54 180 and fit in a Garmin Audio panel, a 430W and an SL40 all without changing the "T" control. There is still 5/8" between the bottom of the stack and the top of the "T". ....

Chris, I know you sold your 180 a couple years ago, do you still have any photos of the panel?
FWIW my 53 180 has the com & txp mounted down low,
the center stack area is occupied by a tablet running Avare.
The radios not being in my scan doesn't bother me, they're pretty much set and forget.

Baldguyina180 wrote:I’m very interested in converting my 54 C-180 to center stack radios. I have the Tee Yoke. You mentioned accomplishing the center stack without changing to a U yoke. Would you mind sending me a picture or two of your panel?
Thank you
Pete Montanelli
907-802-9876
[email protected]
N180TF

My old 180 accomplished the same thing very well. Looks like a full center stack but the garmin handhelds are only like 2" deep. The other radios are above the T yoke. Radios low piss me off. Transponder low is fine.

The Alaska Airmen raffle plane from 2020 kept the original T and it was pretty sweet with all the Dynon stuff.

Hi,

I am a retired airline guy with a small company that converts straight tail 182s' to 180 tailwheel configuration using the Baer Flying Services STC.

I need to connect with anyone who has installed the Avion Research U control yoke/avionics panel.

Please reach out. Thank you.

I’ve had many dealing with Trevor over the years. Shoot me a DM

Greg-

I have a 57 180A that was converted to U yoke. I can look in the log books for the documents. My 53 still has the original yoke, I put the 430 at the top of the panel, its above the 'T', but my comm 1 is still down low.