Would the removal of the side assist step from a Cherokee 140 (to help with drag) require a 337? I know it'd involve an updated W&B and a notation from an A&P in the logs as well as the A&P updated W&B. Any thoughts?

I used to have a Cherokee.... Without that step how do you plan to step up onto the wing walk to enter? W&b should be minimal. I don't think it is a required item to fly so why would it need a 337?

I'd just step straight onto the wing. I've been doing it the last week or so with no issues to see how'd it feel.

Can you make it to the wing or are you using the flap?

I know a couple of people whom have removed the step. No entries of any type were made, not saying that it was right . Might be good for an extra knot of speed. My wifey would not be good w/o the step.

In the cherokee I used to own, boarding directly onto the wing WITHOUT using the flap was impossible. I think you would need to be 7 feet tall. In which case, you have probably removed the front seats too, flying from the back seat.

There are better ways to get some speed out of a Cherokee. Some guy named Art Mattson used to have a supposed 200mph cherokee with the 320 engine. There are numerous references to him on the Cherokee forums.

His website USED to be called pipermods.com. I heard that he (or they) recently sold out to another aviation company. Some good Cherokee racing stories on that site. Was able to push those little machines pretty hard.

It one or two knots really that big of a deal? The best part of that plane is that properly leaned it can do 100mph on 5 gph. Thats Prius efficiency!* (*almost). I wish I had my Cherokee back. Lots of fun times in that slow, stable beast.

Thanks for all the information. I decided to just leave it on.

Best way to make a Cherokee faster is to save your money on all the mods and put it towards a Bonanza or Mooney. I love Cherokees, in fact I told the people who bought my Archer I want to buy it back at any point if/when they sell it. I had one with all the STCd speed mods available. Gap seals was the best value, climb speed was noticeably improved...everything else was immeasurable gains.

Art passed away a few years ago... His Cherokee would do about 160-170 mph... His daughter took over his modifications company but found it easier to partner with another aviation manufacturing company.

As for the step; my Cherokee didn't have one and I never thought to go looking in the logs to see if it was ever removed.

I miss that little plane...