Backcountry Pilot • Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

Have you modified your aircraft? STC? STOL Kit? Major rebuild from just a data plate?
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

Bagarre wrote:On a 170, is there any way to keep the original wing tips with the Horton?



I suppose you slightly shorten the leading edge cuff and build fairings that adapt from the cuff profile to the original wing profile, sort of like what Sportsman does at the root end. Wouldn't be per the STC though.
Like you, I like the looks of the original rounded Cessna tips.
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

hotrod180 wrote:
bigrenna wrote:Image


Looks like the formers / nose-ribs are taped in place before putting the cuff in place I assume they are not fastened to the wing. Are the new leading edges riveted to the nose-ribs, or are the nose-ribs just mashed into place?


You assumed incorrectly. :wink: Masking tape is not very structural, so the nose blocks are glued in place (black stuff under the blocks.). Leading edges are not riveted to the blocks, just the tops and bottom edges. Tops are sealed, bottoms are not.
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

bigrenna wrote: You assumed incorrectly. :wink: Masking tape is not very structural, so the nose blocks are glued in place (black stuff under the blocks.)......


That's nothing new, I assume incorrectly all the time. :oops:
Didn't look close enough to catch the black goop.
I would have assumed that the new leading edge would be riveted to the nose blocks, thanks for clearing that up for me too.
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

The foam inst structural so there is no point to place a rivet there... that said, there are some cases where a rivet does go into the foam, but this is the overlap of the three skins.
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

So the nose blocks are completely foam, no aluminum wrapper on them?
Oops, another incorrect assumption. :oops:
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

It looks to me (and I should emphasise that I have never seen this up close) that the foam blocks are there to ensure that the profile remains as accurate as possible until the holes are drilled and clecoed. I doubt that they are really that necessary after the cuff is riveted in place.

I would REALLY like to add this kit to my 170:)
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

hotrod180 wrote:
Bagarre wrote:On a 170, is there any way to keep the original wing tips with the Horton?



I suppose you slightly shorten the leading edge cuff and build fairings that adapt from the cuff profile to the original wing profile, sort of like what Sportsman does at the root end. Wouldn't be per the STC though.
Like you, I like the looks of the original rounded Cessna tips.


I wonder how hard that would be to get approved. I hate droopy wingtips.
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

TxAgfisher wrote:Thanks for all the info - I did a generic Google search and didn't get much. The guy that has the 182 hasn't emailed me back, but I could see how I could be talked into a trike with some of the input here. Maybe even do the conversion later on like Luke... =D> Those stripped interiors on the "182 Diet Plan" thread look incredibly functional and save a bunch of weight.

The guy that is supposed to be my TW instructor is supposed to call today - but we'll see how that plays out...

Are there any recommendations for an installer in Texas if I went that direction?


^^^^ Anyone have suggestions on this? I've got a Sportsman Stol kit sitting in my hangar waiting to get installed. I just need to find an A&P who has installed these before.
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

robw56 wrote:As stated, the Sportsman STOL kit is $1995. I believe the Horton is $1500 but don't quote me on that. I had my Sportsman STOL kit installed for $1000 in 2012 from someone who has extensive experience installing the kit. That's not typical though, most people pay around 2k or more I believe.

Hammer, that's the first bad think I've ever heard from anyone ordering a Sportsman. You can read several testimonials on this site, if you search, from people who have delt with Stene Aviation and they all have good things to say.


three years ago in hillsboro, nd. installation cost was 4,000.
i have had a horton on a 170B and now a sportsman on a 170C. i vote for the sportsman.
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

Who sells the Horton kit these days? I checked their website http://www.hortonstolcraft.com/index.htm
can't confirm it there but I have a suspicion that Bob Williams in Kansas (of Bush /Avcom fame) is involved. he does not have a sterling reputation with regards to customer service, whereas I've never heard anything but good about Willie Stene who sells the Sportsman kit.
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Re: Horton/Sportsman STOL Kit Questions

I tried to contact Bush STOL once... five phone calls and three or four e-mails and no answer. Someone recently told me that the Bush organization is now the seller or manager of Horton STOL kits.
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