Backcountry Pilot • Mech. to do C172 TAIL WHEEL CONVERSION

Mech. to do C172 TAIL WHEEL CONVERSION

Have you modified your aircraft? STC? STOL Kit? Major rebuild from just a data plate?
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Wed Mar 23, 2011 6:43 pm

Re: Mech. to do C172 TAIL WHEEL CONVERSION

Hey Dogman.........you won't be sorry, it makes a real performer out
of the old girl. I went with the Fravel conversion, but one's as good as the other.
I've heard good things about Dave Stoots
The main thing is to get the tail low where it's meant to be :lol: :lol:
Good luck with it......you're gonna be a happy camper




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Jimmy M offline
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Jim Martin
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Wed Mar 23, 2011 6:50 pm

Re: Mech. to do C172 TAIL WHEEL CONVERSION

Great lookin plane Jimmie
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Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:22 am

Re: Mech. to do C172 TAIL WHEEL CONVERSION

Mike and Dale Twitchell at Twitchells Airport in Turner Maine have done 6 or more tailwheel conversions I have seen. Straight tails and newer ones. Cant remember if they were Bush or Bolen conversions. The last one I saw them doing they were putting a float kit in one as well. They mess with a lot of float planes, and like to do tailwheel conversions in the winter. I dont think they have done one recently, but they are good guys and straight shooters, their phone # should be in the AOPA directory. Let me know if you cant find it. I used to own a 180hp Skyhawk they did the annuals on, it was a nice performer, we used to see 135mph cruise with a fixed pitch prop, if it had a tailwheel I would still own it.\
Jim


I have a converted K model 172 (1969) done by these guys. The plane is awesome. Mine has the Bolen conversion.
obxbushpilot offline
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Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:29 am

Re: Mech. to do C172 TAIL WHEEL CONVERSION

Anybody have a rough idea of the cost of the conversion at any of the shops which have been mentioned? My old straight tail 172 would certainly appreciate removal of the nose gear... I've got almost $14.72 saved up already!
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Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:39 am

Re: Mech. to do C172 TAIL WHEEL CONVERSION

EZ
You're almost there.
If you do the conversion from Bob Williams(?)(Bush conversions, who may have bought up the Bolen conversion), make sure ya have ALL the parts before ya tear into it.
Gary
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Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:18 pm

Re: Mech. to do C172 TAIL WHEEL CONVERSION

EZFlap wrote: I've got almost $14.72 saved up already!


IF YOU MULTIPLY THAT BUY $1000 that will get you the parts and paperwork!

But it sounds like a good STC compaired to the Bush and all cessna parts. I will let you know in Sept.
Dogman offline
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Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:20 pm

Re: Mech. to do C172 TAIL WHEEL CONVERSION

Jimmy M wrote:Hey Dogman.........you won't be sorry, it makes a real performer out
of the old girl. I went with the Fravel conversion, but one's as good as the other.
I've heard good things about Dave Stoots
The main thing is to get the tail low where it's meant to be :lol: :lol:
Good luck with it......you're gonna be a happy camper




Image



Nice thanks for posting

What prop??
Dogman offline
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Sun Mar 27, 2011 2:53 pm

Re: Mech. to do C172 TAIL WHEEL CONVERSION

You will never regret doing a tail wheel conversion to a straight tail Cessna. The biggest reason, weight. Sparky Imeson wanted to trade his C180 for my converted C175 because of weight. I could out perform him since everything is related to total weight you are trying to lift. The tail wheel makes everyone want to buy it from you. The next conversion should be the 80 inch "top prop" which was the biggest performance improvement that I made.
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