Does anyone have experience with putting a pod on an early 180? Really want one for my 55. Been talking to Tony up around Denver about getting one but curious how hard its going to be to get approved.

Aerocet makes one that is STC'd 300 lbs can be put in it

Perfect for the kids (& the dog when he's bad). Don't forget to cut air holes in it.

I've seen Cessna Pods on 180's up in Alaska, but I wouldn't assume you would get a "Field Approval" for one nowadays.
The Cessna Pod like Tony's is a "Working Pod" that will haul much more than the AeroCet Pod, and because of it's location will help keep the CG mid-range.
The AeroCet Pod is smaller and more shallow, but mounts on the belly farther aft resulting in the CG being farther aft (and less speed loss).
If you just want a place to haul your tools, spares, engine/wing covers, preheater etc, it should be OK.

They both have a different purpose,
Cessna Pod (Tony's) is a working pod and you will be able to haul four people with bags and be in CG.
AeroCet Pod is a "Weekend Warrior" type pod that will allow you to haul a little more baggage.

I have the Cessna Pod and it slows me down 5KTS.... and did I mention, it hauls a lot of stuff .... in CG

Last I heard, AeroCet wants a "Pretty Penny" for their product. Let us know if you get a price.

Mark

You really must determine what your needs are for the pod. Getting field approvals now is getting nearly impossible in some FISDO areas, others not so. Ask before you buy one. Perhaps in 180's the aft CG of the AeroCet one is not desirable, but 185's can use it moving back, especially if your running fuel fuel and have only humans in the font seats. Not loosing speed is important for the days you don't have anything in the pod, figure out over a period of time how much this costs in fuel for a 5 kt speed penalty. Pods don't just snap on and off. So you are more or less stuck with it once it is on, load or no load.

I really looked at the Aerocet pod closely. They are well made, a bit more aerodynamic and blend with the aircraft lines. However, they offer NO discounts, even to a repair station as the installer. From my standpoint, I don't necessarily recommend them to customers, they see the same price I have to charge, if I put something on top, they think I'm a low life scum sucker (true or not, can't say). Parts markup is one of the things that keep mechanics and repair stations in business. One of the reasons (among other) that we tend to shy away from homebuilts and experimental aircraft is the owners attitude. "well, I can get that tire on Trade a Plane for X, why are you charging me Y?" Our stock answer is, "Then have Trade a Plane install it and sign it off."

So I think it is a nice pod, we just never sell them. They are expensive. Unless your need for a pod is burning your world, patience will allow you to get one for much less after somebody finally tires of the speed loss and removes it.

I have one for G-M 182 widebody - long and shallow ,like 8 ft long 3 ft wide and about 10 inches deep. Opening on back for loading long ski's or long poles . According to paperwork it's for 80 lbs (stc,d) and comes from Hawaii . Will fit narrow body (180-185) airplanes. Could be field approved for other applications I believe without too much pain. Field approvals (or 1 time stc) are much easier to do if part has previously been approved as approved part or STC part your adapting . Been there done that
YMMV .

I do want one like Tonys. He's says bout an hr to remove or replace after hardware installed. Like the cg forward and lots of room. Hoping someone has been down this road. He's checking into it as well. They've stayed away from earlier 180 s n the past due to lower weight limits and some underpowered. But with all the new mods he says maybe they'll start checking into it. Thanks guys!

As bdpilot, said, for early 180s, only STCd product I am aware of is the pod offered by Aerocet (formerly Alaska Skycraft). I believe even the Cessna pod is not STCd for early models. I don't know if Aerocet has changed the mix since they got Skycraft, but they used to just cargo pod, or a fuel and cargo combo.

I don't have the pod, but know a couple who did and they claim that Skystar product is preferable to Cessna's. Lower profile.

Good Luck! I have 4 kids and know how useful space is when your hauling the family around.

Larry

I've seen A Lot of 180s around Merrill and Lake Hood with Cessna pods. They all can't be bootleg. Somebody has to know a little something about these...

Jason, I'm still digging into this. I believe it is VERY possible. I'll keep you posted.

Tony

We are about to install a pod on our 180, by field approval.

It is made by Bob Piatt. These are also known as Firmin pods.
He's From Alaska. Wasilla, as I recall. 907 376-7259

This pod is shaped and mounted like a Cessna pod, but 4" shallower. Doors side and rear. I'm not sure who's airplane is in the picture; we haven't even taken our pod out of the crate.

aqua wrote:We are about to install a pod on our 180, by field approval.

It is made by Bob Piatt. These are also known as Firmin pods.
He's From Alaska. Wasilla, as I recall. 907 376-7259

Bob Piatt is good to work with. He has an STC for Cub cargo pods, but has the capability to custom craft pods for popular model aircraft. His Cub pods sell for something in the range of $3,000. His main competition is Airglas here in Alaska which make pods for Huskys and Cubs.

Well as long as we are talking belly pods here, I have one for a Scout or Citabria, made by Sorensen. I'd take a grand for it. It was used as an AV gas aux tank to fly the Atlantic. It holds 80-90 gallons, but could be turned into a cargo unit fairly easily.

Tony's pods are the way to go.....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/n1237/sets/72157630830096058/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/n1237/8136759588/in/photostream

Plenty of room for your crap

Everything else is a compromise!

Unless you can get a field approval your limited to Aerocet for a Cessna 180 I think.

His main competition is Airglas here in Alaska which make pods for Huskys and Cubs.

...and 172s--should have the STC by now--they had it on display at OSH in July, anticipating approval by October. Very high quality, and very tempting--it would make my dog very happy not to have to share the back seat with lots of my camping stuff!

Cary

Cary wrote:

His main competition is Airglas here in Alaska which make pods for Huskys and Cubs.

...and 172s--should have the STC by now--they had it on display at OSH in July, anticipating approval by October. Very high quality, and very tempting--it would make my dog very happy not to have to share the back seat with lots of my camping stuff!

Cary

The pod has been an outstanding addition to my dog. It has a 170 lb capacity and has virtually doubled my hauling ability, but it hasn't impeded my ground maneuvering capabilities with skis or bush wheels. And -- my wife loves it!!

I'm sure it will be a nice addition for the 172, but it really shines for space limited models such as Cubs and Huskys. I highly endorse the Airglas model.

Nizina

$4900 for the Aerocet $6900 for the fuel/cargo pod not yet approved but soon.

Tony, I talked with you a while ago about getting one of your pods field approved on an early c-180 (I have a '59). Add me to your list if you can get it figured out. Thanks!

Hey aqua. Do you have a copy of field approval paperwork? Any chance I could get a copy of that?
How much?
Know how long or hard to take on and off?
Weight limit?
Price?

It was quite a bit less than Aerocet/Skycraft. Give Bob Piatt a call, good guy.

It calls for something like 26 attach points. I'm planning on a couple of days to install.

Once installed, I'm guessing 1/2 hour or so to remove. I'll be taking it off each year before the floats go on. You could leave it on; but you'd have to run the flying wires through the pod. And I don't need as much room in the summer.

I believe the weight limit is pretty high, 200?, 300?
PM me about the approval. Mr. Piatt has some representative ones also.