Backcountry Pilot • 182 amphibian on a budget

182 amphibian on a budget

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Thu Nov 10, 2011 9:44 am

182 amphibian on a budget

I am a long way off but I am looking into getting a amphibian 182......... well a 182 and then putting it on amphibians. First off I cant afford to buy a cessna 182/180 amphibian so that is out of the question. So I am looking at selling/trading my 172 and buying a 182. Saving up and buying a float kit and installing it myself. I was looking at the park rapids kit because they will sell you just the kit and let you install it. Then buying a set of EDO 2790 floats because I think that is the only float I can afford. So that brings me to my question, Is there any stc for putting EDO 2790 amphibs on a 182? Does a float kit stc specify what floats you can put on your plane? and if so how hard is it to get a field aprovel/one time stc for a float not specified in the float kit stc.
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Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:04 am

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

cfimechanic wrote:I am a long way off but I am looking into getting a amphibian 182......... well a 182 and then putting it on amphibians. First off I cant afford to buy a cessna 182/180 amphibian so that is out of the question. So I am looking at selling/trading my 172 and buying a 182. Saving up and buying a float kit and installing it myself. I was looking at the park rapids kit because they will sell you just the kit and let you install it. Then buying a set of EDO 2790 floats because I think that is the only float I can afford. So that brings me to my question, Is there any stc for putting EDO 2790 amphibs on a 182? Does a float kit stc specify what floats you can put on your plane? and if so how hard is it to get a field aprovel/one time stc for a float not specified in the float kit stc.



Tell us about your 172 ,time-equipment etc. I have a "project 182" that could be set up for floats.Your going to be doing a lot of "sweat equity" . Seaplane west has the STC for floats for 182 ,Kenmore air has the floats . Putting 180/182 on floats is a job for "seasoned " A&P's /very good sheet metal mech.-not some weekend duffer,otherwise be prepared to "PAY".
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Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:39 am

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

cfimechanic,
I live north of Park Rapids and have a plane based there. They do/did a lot of these conversions in the last several years. I say did because business has been SLOW with the way the economy is. ANother member on this site had his 182 put on Aerocets by park Rapids Aviation so mabye he will chime in also.
I may know of some PK floats possibly for sale but they may need some work. I can't remember their size right off hand but know they are amphibs but think they may have been on a 206. If interested I'll check with the owner.
Keith
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Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:19 am

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

My 172 is a 1967 172H, with a standard 172H panel, s-tec 50 auto pilot with altitude hold, dme, and a garmin 155XL gps. It has a high time engine so I was thinking of moving forward with my plan after I have put some time on the new motor. Yes there is going to be a lot of sweat equity involved in this project but the plane will eventually be going with me to the mission field so its a labor of love. I am an A&P/fabricator/welder/mechanist/sheet metal mechanic buy trade so I'm comfortable doing the float kit but will definitely consult a seasoned processional when installing, and rigging the actual floats.

I don't think I'm interested in the PK floats mainly because the Cessna 180 is already approved for the EDO 2790 floats, and the 182 has been approved for the straight float version of the 2790s buy seaplanes west. So if a field approval is required or a one time stc I think it would be easier on the EDOs.
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Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:50 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

Where are planning on flying the plane at?

Reuben

PS mission pilot in training C-170B N8098A
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Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:58 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

For a couple years it will be used in VA, then I will be taking it to central America, most likely it is looking like Honduras.
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Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:05 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

cool I have a friend that is going to Chad in june to work with a mission group in their aviation program

REuben
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Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:53 am

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

I have been looking into this more and was wondering if anyone had any experience putting a float kit on a 180. Can you still get the parts from Cessna to put a float kit on a 180 that doesn't have one. If I can get a project 180 and put the factory float kit on it then I can just put the EDO 2790s on with no STC required.
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Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:12 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

WWhunter wrote:cfimechanic,
I live north of Park Rapids and have a plane based there. They do/did a lot of these conversions in the last several years. I say did because business has been SLOW with the way the economy is. ANother member on this site had his 182 put on Aerocets by park Rapids Aviation so mabye he will chime in also.
I may know of some PK floats possibly for sale but they may need some work. I can't remember their size right off hand but know they are amphibs but think they may have been on a 206. If interested I'll check with the owner.
Keith

That would be me i assume. Plane is at park rapids as we speak getting float kit put on. Judging by your last post - looks like your thinking of a 180 so maybe not much to talk about now.

I would be very surprised if you cannot still find float kits for 180's, although most 180's had the kits from the factory (or so i thought)

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Fri Nov 11, 2011 4:15 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

If you find a C 180 it will probably have a float kit on it.

Reuben
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Fri Nov 11, 2011 6:36 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

cfimechanic wrote:I have been looking into this more and was wondering if anyone had any experience putting a float kit on a 180. Can you still get the parts from Cessna to put a float kit on a 180 that doesn't have one. If I can get a project 180 and put the factory float kit on it then I can just put the EDO 2790s on with no STC required.


Trust me when I say you do not want to try to install a float kit on a Cessna 180 that doesn't already have one. There is VERY extensive sheet metal forming and riveting required, as in VERY, VERY extensive. Also, parts for the blocks, etc are getting harder to find. Just for starters, you have to double the belly skins from the firewall back to the aft windows, up to the windows. That is a LOT of sheet metal work.

And, there ARE a LOT of Cessna 180s out there without float kits. I wouldn't touch one with a stick with the intent of converting it to seaplane kit. Second reason: Many Cessnas didn't have very good internal corrosion proofing unless they were float kit equipped. This varies by model year, though.

I seriously doubt you'll get a field approval for a set of amphibious floats on anything that isn't already approved, but stranger things have happened.

Good luck, but it looks to me as if you're taking aim at what could be a nearly impossible project. Getting field approvals on float installations, let alone amphibious float installations is likely impossible. You're going to get referred to Engineering and that will take years and $$$$$ to hire a DER/DAR to do the certification. Which of course, would completely defeat the purpose of what you're trying to accomplish.

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Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:17 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

cfimechanic
Have I got a deal for you. :D
If I don't end up trading Bill something for his Project 182, Which I am going to twist his arm on here in the near future when I get somewhere warm :lol:
I have just what you need :^o
I have a 182 with a STC'd float kit with 2700 amphibs, that have been converted to hyd.
These were in pristine shape right up until my last landing, New paint, leather interior, bearings and cleveland wheels, new tires, new brakes,Flint wing extensions, low time turbo'd engine and almost new prop.
Just needs a little fuselage work, slight float repair on 1 side, and oh ya 1 wing and a horizontal needs just a little straightening?? :mrgreen:
Would make you a great deal, might want to bring a trailer as would take a lot of work to get a ferry permit. :oops:
Pretty good shape for a landing from 200'.
Not cheap, but worth every buck I can get out of you!! :mrgreen:
Located in Washington State, just a long days drive from your house. :^o

GT
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Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:02 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

Oooh. Sorry about that GT! :(

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Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:28 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

M6RV6 wrote:cfimechanic
Have I got a deal for you. :D
If I don't end up trading Bill something for his Project 182, Which I am going to twist his arm on here in the near future when I get somewhere warm :lol:
I have just what you need :^o
I have a 182 with a STC'd float kit with 2700 amphibs, that have been converted to hyd.
These were in pristine shape right up until my last landing, New paint, leather interior, bearings and cleveland wheels, new tires, new brakes,Flint wing extensions, low time turbo'd engine and almost new prop.
Just needs a little fuselage work, slight float repair on 1 side, and oh ya 1 wing and a horizontal needs just a little straightening?? :mrgreen:
Would make you a great deal, might want to bring a trailer as would take a lot of work to get a ferry permit. :oops:
Pretty good shape for a landing from 200'.
Not cheap, but worth every buck I can get out of you!! :mrgreen:
Located in Washington State, just a long days drive from your house. :^o

GT


George:
Come on down with your truck and trailer -tonight my phone's in the truck I'll call tomorrow.
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Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:40 am

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

OK it looks like a 180 is out of the question. While the plane is in VA it will be on wheels and a commercial insurance policy while I instruct with it. Neadless to say a rental policy on a 180 isn't in my price range. So that brings me back to a 182. M6RV6 what brand floats are on your 182? Also what float kit is on your 182? Not that I am in a position to buy it right now I have about another year and a half to get my 172 ready for sale.
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Sat Nov 12, 2011 1:21 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

cfimechanic if you look up Paul Babcock in South Weymouth, Mass I believe he owns the stc to put edo amphibs on older 182s.

Bill
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Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:01 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

Do you happen to have his contact information?
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Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:50 am

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

talked with Babcock aviation yesterday and he does indeed have a stc for amphibs on a cessna 182. However it is a one time stc that he has been able to add a couple SN to threw the years. Also it is only good on the 182B model, and the kit uses all Cessna 180 float kit parts. I think my best option is going to be a damaged float plane. So if anyone in the smashes into a dock let me know.
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Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:35 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

M6RV6 wrote:cfimechanic
Have I got a deal for you. :D
If I don't end up trading Bill something for his Project 182, Which I am going to twist his arm on here in the near future when I get somewhere warm :lol:
I have just what you need :^o
I have a 182 with a STC'd float kit with 2700 amphibs, that have been converted to hyd.
These were in pristine shape right up until my last landing, New paint, leather interior, bearings and cleveland wheels, new tires, new brakes,Flint wing extensions, low time turbo'd engine and almost new prop.
Just needs a little fuselage work, slight float repair on 1 side, and oh ya 1 wing and a horizontal needs just a little straightening?? :mrgreen:
Would make you a great deal, might want to bring a trailer as would take a lot of work to get a ferry permit. :oops:
Pretty good shape for a landing from 200'.
Not cheap, but worth every buck I can get out of you!! :mrgreen:
Located in Washi.

ngton State, just a long days drive from your house. :^o

GT
. George well be there the 20th of April
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Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:14 pm

Re: 182 amphibian on a budget

182 STOL driver wrote:
M6RV6 wrote:cfimechanic
Have I got a deal for you. :D
If I don't end up trading Bill something for his Project 182, Which I am going to twist his arm on here in the near future when I get somewhere warm :lol:
I have just what you need :^o
I have a 182 with a STC'd float kit with 2700 amphibs, that have been converted to hyd.
These were in pristine shape right up until my last landing, New paint, leather interior, bearings and cleveland wheels, new tires, new brakes,Flint wing extensions, low time turbo'd engine and almost new prop.
Just needs a little fuselage work, slight float repair on 1 side, and oh ya 1 wing and a horizontal needs just a little straightening?? :mrgreen:
Would make you a great deal, might want to bring a trailer as would take a lot of work to get a ferry permit. :oops:
Pretty good shape for a landing from 200'.
Not cheap, but worth every buck I can get out of you!! :mrgreen:
Located in Washi. George were in Emmitt Idaho you,all see truck and me in morning
ngton State, just a long days drive from your house. :^o

GT
. George well be there the 20th of April
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