I've been in contact with Mike Sibley up in Alaska about his 150 V-brace. He says it will also fit the 120/140. He's in the process of making 6-8 more out of stainless, they will be ready in about 3 weeks. It will need to be field approved. He's estimating no more than $350/ea plus shipping.

If you're interested in one, let me know and I'll get you on the list. His design is a bit better than the factory Cessna one as it ties into the top motor mount.

He's also working on tube gear and T3 tail shock mounts for the 150.

What's the purpose of the v-brace?

onefitty wrote:What's the purpose of the v-brace?

Spurs the purchase of aviation helmets...

onefitty wrote:What's the purpose of the v-brace?

Historically it's been added to airplanes on floats to help brace up the airframe, but there's also a benefit to airplanes used in the backcountry or on rough/unimproved airstrips. This video below is of me taxiing up a hill that's only a little bumpy, listen for the creaking and side to side sway. Hopefully a v-brace will eliminate that. It's two pieces of stainless tube welded together that go from the wing root to the center motor mount.

Hammer wrote:

onefitty wrote:What's the purpose of the v-brace?

Spurs the purchase of aviation helmets...

Ha. And down the rabbit hole we go....

.

My dad’s old 120 had a V brace and it didn’t have any of the creaking my 170 had on rough ground.

That windshield constitutes a parallelogram. What that means is that it can shift easily from rectangular to not so much with any side loading on gear. Wings out there amplify the effect.

When I bought my 170 it didn’t have a V Brace. The first winter on skis spooked me....the windshield moved around in the frame so much it was scary.

I installed a V Brace, which stabilized the parallelogram into a rectangle and kept it there. While skis and to a lesser extent floats demand a V Brace, operating on even mildly rough wheel strips will strongly suggest the need for one.

Note my use of the term “need”. This isn’t a vanity item or toy. Unless you stick strictly to paved surfaces, a V Brace is a good investment. And maybe even then....

MTV

As a side note a v-brace is definitely NOT an hand hold, I've witness them being "re-configured on a couple of occasions

Mapleflt wrote:As a side note a v-brace is definitely NOT an hand hold, I've witness them being "re-configured on a couple of occasions

Was his name Bubba, by chance?

MTV

hamer wrote:

onefitty wrote:What's the purpose of the v-brace?

Historically it's been added to airplanes on floats to help brace up the airframe, but there's also a benefit to airplanes used in the backcountry or on rough/unimproved airstrips. This video below is of me taxiing up a hill that's only a little bumpy, listen for the creaking and side to side sway. Hopefully a v-brace will eliminate that. It's two pieces of stainless tube welded together that go from the wing root to the center motor mount.

Hammer wrote:

onefitty wrote:What's the purpose of the v-brace?

Spurs the purchase of aviation helmets...

Ha. And down the rabbit hole we go....

Yeah, I know what they do, and essential on floats, I just wondered why on a 120/140/150...

Old Cessnas are meant to wobble and creak when you're taxing on rough stuff!

The tube gear is interesting, are these to replace the flat legs? Are they tall for a taildragger?

mtv wrote:

Mapleflt wrote:As a side note a v-brace is definitely NOT an hand hold, I've witness them being "re-configured on a couple of occasions

Was his name Bubba, by chance?

MTV

Not sure on the name but sure moved quick, damage done before I could say NOOOOOO. I now include a "reminder" in the pax briefing

onefitty wrote:Yeah, I know what they do, and essential on floats, I just wondered why on a 120/140/150...

Old Cessnas are meant to wobble and creak when you're taxing on rough stuff!
?

Actually I seriously doubt that Cessna designers back in the day could have even imagined what folks are doing with these old airplanes these days. If they had, I’m betting they would have all come with V Braces. Consider the 180: The first models didn’t have a V Brace. Later came with one in the seaplane kit. Later versions yet all had them.

Watch the windshield move around on rough ground....that can’t be good. If you stay on pavement, probably no need.

MTV

Just posting a little update, Mike shipped the v braces down from Alaska today. They should be here Wednesday. I’m going to have one extra because I’m pretty sure one of the guys backed out.

The price came out to $422 + whatever shipping is to your door. I’m willing to fly 2 hours from SNA to meet you if you want it.

Shoot me a PM if you want it, it will fit the 120/140/150.

Can you PM me Mike Sibley’s current contact info. Interested in having a v brace made. Thanks.

TVATIVAK71 wrote:Can you PM me Mike Sibley’s current contact info. Interested in having a v brace made. Thanks.

You and someone else asked for his info. I'm just waiting on a response from him that he's ok with me sharing it. I'll be in touch soon.

Thanks, I tried to PM you but it said I wasn’t allowed.

TVATIVAK71 wrote:Thanks, I tried to PM you but it said I wasn’t allowed.

I have an unused cessna 140 V Brace for you if you want it, id be asking $450

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jlacharite wrote:

TVATIVAK71 wrote:Thanks, I tried to PM you but it said I wasn’t allowed.

I have an unused cessna 140 V Brace for you if you want it, id be asking $450

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

Thanks for letting me know but I already got the ball rolling with Mr. Sibley to make me one.

Hey Hamer do you have a pic of your v brace installed?

TVATIVAK71 wrote:Hey Hamer do you have a pic of your v brace installed?

I have not installed yet. The bolt I need to get to in the door post needs the wing root cowl to come off to get access to and I just haven't had the time. My annual is in November, so I'll likely do it then. I did put it in place and it all seemed to line up correctly.