creep . . . creep . . .

The pre'62s had a stabilitor, which probably explains why I haven't heard anyone complain about lack of nose up authority on pre-'62 182s. Cessna must have decided that the small elevator wasn't such a good idea and increased the size of the elevator in 1965. So '62-'64 are the small elevator years.

I had a '62 182 that had the small elevator and can vouch for the difficulty of flaring @ forward cgs w/40 degrees of flaps. It was great with weight in the back--a whole different airplane when it came to landing. I was told that the small elevator was Cessna's attempt to make a "stall-proof" airplane, and it is really, really hard to stall. The tradeoff is lack of authority at low airspeeds and mid-to-forward cg.

I flew my '62 exclusively for 15 years and thought that I had it pretty well figured out. Some of the conventional 182 wisdom (e.g., use full nose up trim on landing) doesn't apply. When I sold it and bought another plane that has a great big elevator, I was shocked at how much easier it was to land. (I can hear you guys laughing now--a nosedragger hard to land??? Well, all I can say is that I claim credit for more than my fair share of arrivals--and a bent firewall is a scary, scary thing to contemplate.)

End of detour down memory lane . . .

CAVU

I got the Texas Skyways O-520 1580 hours ago. It started life as a IO-520F. Texas Skyways removed the F.I. and installed their modified carb. It has the big oil pump so the tach drive won't fit so they send a Horizon tach as well. It is limited to 26.5 inches of manifold pressure and 2700 rpm. Mine has been trouble free so far. The carb ice is no worse than the O-470L that came out but Cessna had a couple of ways to make carb heat. Mine comes off the muffler heat shroud but I've seen a few that come off the number four exhaust tube. Also, the airboxes on these things are a real piece of shit and crack all the time. There is an outfit that makes a beef-up kit that eliminates the cracking for about 50 bucks.
Dave

I owned a PPONK conversion for about 4 years. 76 Skylane
Mine had a three bladed hartzell and was a great performer.

I flew it in almost every state in the lower 48 except ohio and PA.

Steve is a great guy to do business with and has a great product.
As long as you carry the paper with you that states how to order parts, life is good.
The engine actually starts out as a TSIO 520, they remove the T&I.
Put on a carb and spin her up to 2700 for takeoff.

As far as carb ice, I got it once at altitude, pulled the carb heat on and kept on flying.

My plane had gap seals and a few wheelpant mods, trued out at 150Knots.

I usually filed at 150 with no problems.

Best performance, I flew out of Leadville with 4 pax,luggage, full fuel in mid july, still climbed out over 700fpm...

if you keep it, spend the money,

my suggestion is to call steve and see who he has close to you with the conversion and try before you buy.

I have pictures of the installation (after 600 hrs), feel free to pm me for photos and any more information.


Ki Martin
Florida

Splashlanding (at) gmail (dot) com

I got lucky and was able to upload a couple..

Actually, they can go either way to get to this engine configuration: They can start with a TSIO 520 and make it into a carbureted 520, or they can start with an 0 470 and change a bunch of stuff on it to make it into a 520.

MTV

Just join the forum and there is some great discussion. Well to the heart of he matter. I spent that last two years working off and on out of pocket on a straight tail 57 182A ( Seaplanes west, PPONk O520, Landis 8,50 x 6 and 8.50 main gear). Lets just say the previous owners Idea of maintenance was limit to fuel and oil. original engine was twice over TBO if you get the picture.

I looked at two options the Texas Skyways O520 and the PPonk. Both are remarkable engines and I have heard nothing but great things. Skyways wanted allot more money than I was wanting spend for the engine and when I asked about the STC only I never heard from them again. Pponk Mr. Steve Knopps quoted me a price for the STC and worked with me every step of the way on a TSIO-520 conversion to a O-520. Two years (Seaplanes west,Selkirk Interior, 40gig items) later had trouble with the carburetor and induction system. Sent the carb back to Pponk and it went to the top of their priority list. They replaced the Needle and seat a no charge all I had to pay was shipping. I tested the intake manifold using a new vaccum on the discharge and snoop and fon 5-8 leaks. Man after two years the wait is worth it folks. I call this a poor mans 206 and have never scene a 206 get of the ground this short (300ft Generously) two people half fuel. Thank you to Pponk and Steve Knopps his is a hell of guy and a wealth of aviation knowledge.

I have to agree with MTV on the fuel burn and justification on the O-520. You can burn the same fuel flow as a stock 470, (power back to 20") or the extra 1.5 gal/hr will push you an extra 10 knots. For the $$$ you have in your plane you are worried about $5 more an hour in fuel??!!!

At 275hp and only an extra $2k more than a factory new 470, 500 extra hours TBO, low compression, no fuel system pumps, injection, hot start, vapor lock bullsh@# plus the ability to burn auto fuel in a pinch (Mexico) and I would NEVER go back. Its a simple big liter engine. Save some $$$ but at 700-1000 hours see how many people with other engines have had TOP overhauls or new cylinders at alot of $$$$.

You can have P-Ponk build you one with a 520 case for a little extra, I did.

If you have P-Ponk build it they balance it to a gnats ass and it is sooooooo smooth. Steve has alot of confidence and pride in their work and should. Combine it with a McCalley 401 and I promise you will wonder why you even considered anything else. Fly one, trust me, you won't be disapointed, neither will your wife when you are clawing your way out of a canyon with your family at gross at 5000'MSL at over 1000fpm!

Overhaul the O470 and burn auto fuel.

Tim

Well just have to see what happens. Have 1 guy really interested in the 182, and I just filled out a application for a better paying job.

So I'll have to see what's in the cards.

Funny how the worms turns

C ya, Bub