Backcountry Pilot

[Zzz]

I'm looking forward to more "What plane is right for me" threads. Eventually I'll inventory them and put the list of them into one thread and it will be a fantastic resource. I don't think anyone ever gets tired of this topic even though we've beat it to death.

I'm still interested to see what Wes comes back with. It sounded like he already has a 172 and wanted suggestions for improving it. But now we've got him in a C175, a Maule, and a Taylorcraft. Hahaha.

[hotrod180 offline]

Ideal airplane....hmmmm... lt's see: 2 seater and 1320# gross weight (so it's sport pilot legal), but with 2 hideaway seats in back that the feds don't know about......hmmmm... able to do 150 or so IAS on 5 gph, after taking off in 150 feet of course....hmmmm.... oh yeah, aerobatic to 6 g's plus or minus..... hmmmm....oh yeah, buyable for $25K or less.
Did I leave anything out?

Eric

[Zzz]

^^^^ You think you are so funny.

[WWhunter offline]

Eric, I want one of those! Sounds just like what I am looking for. LOL

Seriously though.....All the replies here are pretty good. The final decision will be what WES can afford and what his overall mission will be. I have seen a couple of negative comments on the O-300 in a 172. I have owned my 172 with an O-300 for nearly twenty years and everytime I think of upgrading I sit down and figure things out and I really can't beat my ol' 172 for overall costs to operate and for 90% of my flying needs. There is very little difference between operating cost of it and my Champ. As long as I don't overload it, it performs good. It does have the prop pitched for cruise/climb. I can get it in and landed shorter than my Champ.

Sadly though, I will be selling it and going the LSA route when my current medical expires.

[silvaire offline]

Just to add my two cents...

There's always the talk about what the 'mission' is but in reality most of us are just recreational flyers and there really isn't a 'mission' other than having a good time. If you've got the funds you go out and buy the airplane of your dreams. If you're budgeted sometimes it's the airplane that finds you rather than the other way around. In any case I can personally testify that in all the years of thoroughly enjoyable flying that I've done I haven't been anywhere that I couldn't have gotten in to with a 172 and some diligent forethought.

So, on the conventional vs tricycle argument - most of us fly taildraggers because we want to even though the real reasons for that arrangement have long since been overcome. One only needs to look at the 206, 208, Quest Kodiac or the Zenair to get an answer. They even make nosedragger Helio Couriers for Christ's sake.

But yea, the do look stoopid...

[Vick offline]

Came across this index of cessna mods while researching 182s, many have already been mentioned but it might be handy to have the links...

http://www.aeroprice.com/aerolibrary/cessnase_mods.htm

[GroundLooper offline]

So, on the conventional vs tricycle argument - most of us fly taildraggers because we want to even though the real reasons for that arrangement have long since been overcome. One only needs to look at the 206, 208, Quest Kodiac or the Zenair to get an answer. They even make nosedragger Helio Couriers for Christ's sake.

Except, as far as I know, for ski-flying nose wheels aren't allowed. Of course, Zane pointed out that here in the lower 48 west of 121 longitude, we don't get a lot of snow and cold weather. Perhaps a 172 might be the way to go while I build hours and experience. hmmm.... now can I find one for under $25K that burns 5gph?

Craig

[silvaire offline]

Good point Craig - didn't even think of that

The taildragger lives on!!!

[mtv offline]

Craig,

WRONG!! .

Let's see: Tricycle gear airplanes with ski approvals--Cessna 172, 182, 205, 206, Cherokee series, up to the Six, I believe. There are probably others.

I've flown a 182 on straight skis, and several 206's on retractable wheel skis. They work fine, though they are a different breed indeed.

They'll turn around tighter than most tailwheel airplanes, but you've gotta keep some weight in the back to help keep the nose ski from submarining.

MTV

[GroundLooper offline]

Hot Damn! These trikes are like Super Planes. Is there anything they can't do?

[mtv offline]

Yep, turn around in their own length.

MTV

[Student Pilot offline]

Craig,

WRONG!! .

Let's see: Tricycle gear airplanes with ski approvals--Cessna 172, 182, 205, 206, Cherokee series, up to the Six, I believe. There are probably others.MTV

The mighty PA22 Tripacer is another, the most hansomest flying machine ever built.

[GroundLooper offline]

Yep, turn around in their own length.

Hah, obviously you haven't seen me landing my 150.

[Bear_Builder offline]

Before spending money on mods, make sure you're getting the most out of your current plane.

I thought I was pretty skilled with my stock C-150, but I picked up a copy of "The Mountain Flying Bible - Revised" last winter. It's the only book I've found that really details short and soft field technique for trikes, with modifications for low powered aircraft. Using the techniques described there I've cut a good 30% off my takes offs from grass/dirt strips. Since the 150 will stop in about 1/2 the Take-off distance that's really significant.

Next I'd say make sure your plane is as light as possible. Remove any dead or obsolete avionics or abandon wiring. Remove or substitute lighter cabin interior components. Old damp fiberglass sound proofing can add up to a lot of weight, not to mention the corrosion concerns. How often do you need the back seat? Take it out if you can. How about one of the new lightweight batteries and starters?

One tire size up can help too, especially with low powered planes like my 150. It had 5.00x5 mains when I got it, just going to 6.00x6 made a huge difference on grass and dirt strips. But I suspect there's a point of diminishing return here, 31" bushwheels probably lengthen take off from smooth fields due to the extra weight and rolling resistance. Also, check you tire pressures, I notice the extra drag taxiing if my tires are only 3 or 4 psi low. Soft tires only help on really soft ground, on frim ground they add resistance.

I'm no bush pilot by any stretch, these are some little things I've found that have helped me get my 150 in and out with more of a safty margin.

Phil

[iceman offline]

what happened to page five of this thread ? Zane did we say something offensive again? There were several posts after the last one on page 4.

[Zzz]

what happened to page five of this thread ? Zane did we say something offensive again? There were several posts after the last one on page 4.

Iceman, I split it off into this thread. Sometimes certain subject arise that I feel warrant their own thread.

[Okie Bush Man offline]

Finally got the 8.50 x 6 's on the mains of the 172. The centers of the axles went from 7" off the floor to just over 10" off the floor.

When we started to take the nose wheel assembly apart, it looked so bad (dirty and grimy) that we decided to completely disassemble it and do a good rebuild while we were at it. The new seals should be in tomorrow and we'll get it finished and I'll get some pictures posted.

An interesting side note to this process is that I have never had to use the steps to get into a 172 before (I'm 6'1"), but now I'm going to have to learn how - just can't get the leg high enough to get in the darn thing anymore.

The Sportsman STOL kit is sitting on the hangar floor for installation next month and the paint job is scheduled for 1 Mar.