I’ve always liked the look of the 170.

For some reason, I keep thinking that a 180hp model would be a great 2-person plane.

I’d appreciate info fom anyone who owns or has owned one.

Thanks.

I think an early straight tail fast back 172 with TD conversion and 180hp with CS would be the ticket. I love the look of the straight tail personally.

Did my TW rating in a 170 and flew it across the country, to the 170 convention, landed Meigs Field, went to OSH. Great fun.

Tj

Most of my time is in 170s, Tom. My grandfather bought ours when I was five months old. Been flying it since I was 9.

I absolutely love 170s. I would love to answer anything you’d like to know. Oddly enough, the only variant I haven’t flown is the Lycoming, but I’ve flown stock engines, Franklin 220s, TCM IO-360s, and various combinations of gear legs and wing doo dads.

I’ve got limited experience in a 1957 C-172 TD, and while it flies great in the air, it doesn’t do as well as a tailwheel airplane as I would have thought. Everyone I know complains of elevator authority in a three point with full flap, and I’ve seen it myself. Having the taller vertical fin and rudder makes the airplane a lot friendlier in slow flight over the 170 with a stock wing.

I owned a ‘53 C170B for nine years. It was the right plane for me at the time. Some thoughts: a lot of fun and cheap to fly but, don’t be in a hurry; although I have no experience with the AVCON or other conversions, the additional hp and constant speed prop will at least improve airport and climb performance; great classic lines; dirt simple and cheap to own and maintain; many times I have wished I had mine back (too bad the tailwheel is on the wrong end of the Bo). Oh, and a bunch of fun airplane!

MM

Does the 180hp conversion from the 170 come with a gross weight increase as well? My CAP unit had an '85-ish 172 and 182, and after the 172 got boosted to 180hp we found it actually had more full fuel carrying capacity than the 182. Turned it into a 4 person airplane. If I recall correctly, it only carried 40 gallons of gas and burned about 10.5 gph.

We were okay with it, because who on earth wants to spend more than 3 hours crammed into a 172 with 3 other people?

Somebody here at OSH was just competing in the STOL competition in a 170B. I think he was down ant stopped in about 175 feet!

Robert

No MGW increase for any engine currently.

A young man took $5K worth of deposits from several investors to develop an STC for 170s with 180 gear and 180hp or greater, but went on vacation to Germany with the money instead.

I think one of the investors is going to try to get a MGW increase approved for the series, but no timeline as of yet. He’s currently developing an STC’d exhaust for the XP Mods IO-360 conversion.

When I was shopping, I found that 180hp 170s were rare objects of extreme pride. At the time, the asking prices were on par with early 180s.

They’re lovely to look at, though.

I watched those guys Monday evening and i was amazing. A little bit scary. They were taking off from the departure end of the ultra light strip. Didn’t look like they had much room and it has tall trees on that end.
Lee

Yeah. That's something to look at.

You can get a 180 for about the same price, and the 180 is just a better plane from a practical standpoint.

And at that point, I have a 182 with the P-Ponk engine, with big tires, extended baggage, and folding seats, and ....

I do like that rounded vertical fin, though.

Yeah. That's something to look at.

You can get a 180 for about the same price, and the 180 is just a better plane from a practical standpoint.

And at that point, I have a 182 with the P-Ponk engine, with big tires, extended baggage, and folding seats, and ....

I do like that rounded vertical fin, though.

Tom, get a C195 (if you haven’t already had one). Rounded tail, carries a good load, faster than a C170, makes a sweet sound and a classic. What’s not to like?

MM

It won't get into the Back Country, that his 182 will And he's probably already owned one or two

If only there were an STC to put a 195 tail on a 180.

Tom, Mike Dorris has a 170 with a 180 HP engine. Sawtooth Flying Service in McCall.

https://sawtoothflyingservice.com/