Valuable topic split from Where Did You Fly Today?" -Z
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Your 170 looks good with 8.50s, I would like to do the field approval for that on mine. Do you have a V-brace in there?

Yes I do! I could never own a plane without one. They are soooo useful for soooo many reasons.

robw56 wrote:Your 170 looks good with 8.50s, I would like to do the field approval for that on mine. Do you have a V-brace in there?

I don't have the brace. If you want a copy of a 337 for Goodyear 8.50s to make it more palatable to your IA PM me. Mine was orginally approved with single puck Cleveland brakes, though since then I have had a separate field approval for double pucks.

907Pilot wrote:Yes I do! I could never own a plane without one. They are soooo useful for soooo many reasons.

Very cool, my dad has one in his 120 and I like it a lot, would be nice in the 170 too. Was yours done by field approval? I've never seen an stc for one in a 170.

I will have to look through my records to be honest... I can't remember how it was done but it was in the plane when I bought it. I only remember that it was worded somewhere that it's a "seaplane v-brace".

Just out of curiosity... where do you hold on when you climb in without one?

907Pilot wrote:I will have to look through my records to be honest... I can't remember how it was done but it was in the plane when I bought it. I only remember that it was worded somewhere that it's a "seaplane v-brace".

Just out of curiosity... where do you hold on when you climb in without one?

I hold on to the strap bolted to the door post, there's one on each side, I thought all 170s had these?

907Pilot wrote:I will have to look through my records to be honest... I can't remember how it was done but it was in the plane when I bought it. I only remember that it was worded somewhere that it's a "seaplane v-brace".

Just out of curiosity... where do you hold on when you climb in without one?

My '53 B model has a V-brace also. Came with it- last owner had it on floats. I also like it for a handhold, not just climbing in, but for craning forward, for pulling the seat forward, letting the seat roll back, and for something to grab in rough air. It's also a convenient place to run the antenna wire from the Garmin handheld to the top of the windshield. I've seen some nice headset hooks advertised somewhere that clamp to a V-brace, and I'm reminded to look into those again. I have never needed to lift the plane by the external eyebolts, but I presume that's how the last owner did his float conversions.

Mine is painted black and I don't notice it at all. Actually, the brace is not much different from my old Taylorcraft, so I guess it's all I'm used to. On the other hand, I'm very pleased to have a one-piece windshield. I think that big metal seam down the middle would drive me nuts. I may have heard once that having the V-brace made it possible to go to the one-piece windshield, but that might could be a bunch of hooey.

A flying friend of mine was first on scene of a supercub crash near here, where the (deceased) pilot's head was wedged so tight between the bars of the V-brace that it could not be freed without mechanical aid. I guess that would be one downside.

-DP

Anytime I grabbed ahold of the V-brace, I was scolded by the owner and told to never do that----I have seen some bent one's that a big guy must have grabbed.

I don't believe that any of the 170's came with a V-brace, but I could be wrong. The 52's didn't in any case. Mine was installed with a field approval. On floats, and especially on skis, that windshield will move around a LOT without one. I went the first winter without one, and that was enough for me.

MTV

Just installed a stainless V brace in one of my 206s. Sealed the windshield and now no more wind, noise or rain from up front on me while I fly. Now I do hear new noises behind me while I taxi. Turn up the xm music!!

There is a recessed handhold built into the glareshield on 170's that is purpose built for pulling your seat forward (I think.)

Zane wrote:There is a recessed handhold built into the glareshield on 170's that is purpose built for pulling your seat forward (I think.)

I know what you mean but I doubt mine still exists. Never bothered to check actually. I've got a retrofit aluminum panel, and I expect, a custom glareshield that is covered in carpet.

denalipilot wrote:

Zane wrote:There is a recessed handhold built into the glareshield on 170's that is purpose built for pulling your seat forward (I think.)

I know what you mean but I doubt mine still exists. Never bothered to check actually. I've got a retrofit aluminum panel, and I expect, a custom glareshield that is covered in carpet.

Well, I can assure you that Robw56's glareshield handhold is still intact.

There is a recessed handhold built into the glareshield on 170's that is purpose built for pulling your seat forward (I think.)

My 54 180 also. I always have to tell people "don't even think about pulling on the yoke".

Zane wrote:

denalipilot wrote:

Zane wrote:There is a recessed handhold built into the glareshield on 170's that is purpose built for pulling your seat forward (I think.)

I know what you mean but I doubt mine still exists. Never bothered to check actually. I've got a retrofit aluminum panel, and I expect, a custom glareshield that is covered in carpet.

Well, I can assure you that Robw56's glareshield handhold is still intact.

It sure is, I use it everytime I slide my seat forward and lock it in place. 120/140s have the same thing... even though the seat doesn't slide anywhere, unless maybe you have 150 seats installed.

denalipilot wrote:

Zane wrote:There is a recessed handhold built into the glareshield on 170's that is purpose built for pulling your seat forward (I think.)

I know what you mean but I doubt mine still exists. Never bothered to check actually. I've got a retrofit aluminum panel, and I expect, a custom glareshield that is covered in carpet.

Any chance I can get a picture from a little bit further back to see that panel? Where did you get it done at? I am thinking of getting the panel part of my panel replaced with an aluminum one. I also never noticed this recessed handle on my plane, I can't think of what you are referring to. Is it only on the B's? I have an A and there is no other handle in the plane that I can think of.

Is there any reason not to have a V-Brace?

denalipilot wrote:
A flying friend of mine was first on scene of a supercub crash near here, where the (deceased) pilot's head was wedged so tight between the bars of the V-brace that it could not be freed without mechanical aid. I guess that would be one downside.

-DP

Rather than the V brace, that could be the downside to using a lap belt without a shoulder harness. Dash panels are conveniently named as they provide a place for dashing one's head. A little more forward position on the seat or a loose enough lap belt will let you find the "head-gate" in a single place where you are already centered up on the V brace.

Here's a picture of my 52 panel. I removed the old shock mounted panel, and replaced it with a solid panel, with the instrument holes closer together, providing one more instrument in the primary panel. I also moved the compass to the windshield.



MTV

907Pilot wrote:Any chance I can get a picture from a little bit further back to see that panel? Where did you get it done at? I am thinking of getting the panel part of my panel replaced with an aluminum one.

This panel was in when I bought it. Pretty sure the fabricator was in New England. VT maybe?? I'll post it if I find the info. Highly recommend going for the modified yoke and the center stack at the same time if you are going to do the panel. Also, each instrument has a tiny light post that mounts into one of the screw holes. Don't know the product info, but it's been a handy feature.
This panel was designed around a 180HP Lyc, which it used to have in it, but doesn't currently.

-DP

Here's one around the time I bought it:


And here's one with some scenery for ya' to enjoy: