Just did something similar to a 182K...

BRS parachute
BAS belts
29” Mains
8.5” front tire with Airglas nose fork
FAT supercharger (O 470)
Horton STOL with VGs

Best mod was the supercharger. 8.5” mains would have been enough tire, seatbelts are also a really nice mod.

Keith, Can you tell more about the BRS?

Keith, Can you tell more about the BRS?

Here are some chute photos...

Keith:

I like the idea of the BRS. If my boys ever start flying this without me, it is 100% going in there.

I like the wheel setup that you did. PM me and let me know how you got that approved - gonna have to deal with that on my aircraft.

Is the Horton STOL kit appreciably different than the Sportsman?

-Jason

Jason:

I have not flown with the Sportsman, so I am not qualified to compare the two STOL kits. The Horton was on the plane when I bought it. I added the VGs.

With the Horton and VGs, the plane is tough to stall unless you are intentionally trying to stall, in normal flight conditions, the plane just goes to a controllable mush/sink downward when really slow.

The tire swap is easier than I though it would be, just give Ken Sears at Airframes Alaska a call. He will work out everything that you need based on serial number...be prepared to spend the best part of $10k and wait a week or so for the quoting and research, he has limited staff. Front fork, brakes and wheels get expensive. Also the 29s take about 15 mph off the speed.

Having done it, I think a decent compromise would be 8.5 main tires and 8s on the nose. The 29s are really fun...like landing on balloons, but way more than I (or most anyone) need for dirt/grass/rock. The tires had a bigger than expected speed penalty.

The forced aeromotive tech (FAT) supercharger was worth every penny, it is badass.

Depending on how you use it and your density altitude, you can be easily off the ground 200ft sooner. I think they make one for the 520/550 converted 182s...Rod Sage at FAT could confirm.

BAS seatbelts are also really well made. They were an afterthought, but I am glad that I addeded them.

Will send a PM with Kens at Airframes Alaska’s phone number.

KJ

Tires and supercharger inspired a friend to take this photo...adding a pair to an old 182

Before...and after

Jason,

Congrats on the C182. I installed a Sportsman STOL on my 58 C180 and it made a world of difference in reduction of the stall speed and control at slow speeds. I tried to attach a file with some data that was recorded for a 1955 C180 but it was too large. They demonstrated a change in the glide ratio from to 8 to 14:1 pre and post Sportsman. There are some other parameters that are also pretty impressive - especially the ground roll both take off and landing. 400 foot landings and take offs are not difficult when light in C180. I don't have VGs so I can't make a comment on them other than I heard everything from amazing to hardly noticeable. I have always been worried about a speed penalty on the high end with them. I didn't notice any speed penalty with the Sportsman.

Mountain flying and Backcountry flight instruction can be expensive. I would suggest calling Pete Nelson at middle fork aviation in Challis Idaho. He taught a friend of mine in his C182P model a couple of years ago. He was reasonably priced. You could do the Mountain Flying seminar in McCall but the 4 day course costs something like 7500 dollars now. I like the Mountain Flying Bible by Sparky Imeson. I also watch a lot of Youtube videos.

My plane came with wheel pants and size 6 tires. My cruise maybe dropped 3-4 knots with the 8.5s. I have heard going to 26 inch tires form 8.5s would be about 5 knot penalty.


Josh

The Sportsman leading edge is a much more aggressive profile than the Horton. It also comes with aileron gap seals, which make a subtle improvement in aileron feel. The Sportsman extends the leading edge by about 4” where the Horton really just increases the radius of the leading edge. If you’re going to go with a cuffed STOL kit, the Sportsman is the only option IMO. If an airplane already has a Horton or other cuff, it may or may not be worth it, but if you have a stock wing it’s a no-brainer. I’ve heard enough conflicting reports about VGs that I’ll do without them. Plus, I HATE washing airplanes that have VGs.

I have a 185 with the camber cuff (post-1973) wing and had a Sportsman installed a few weeks ago. I’m still learning the new wing, but so far I absolutely love it. I had almost 400 hours in a stock winged 180 and 185 and the difference is remarkable. It appears to have zero speed loss - It might have actually picked up a knot or two. Some sort of voodoo magic going on there.

I put the sportsman cuff on my 62 C180 last year. Before the mod, I spent a lot of time searching the net and talking to other owners about which cuff to go with. The sportsman was the one that came out on top by a large margin. 120 to 150 foot take off and landings when light, and trying, are realistic, and thats on grass. Aileron/roll control at low speed much improved, no break at the stall, just a mush. 40 kts short finals. Good fun all round

I was afraid I was going to hear this about the Sportsman STOL! Is it something a normal shop can install, or does it take specialized knowledge?

Thanks,

-Jason

My local guy did my sportsman......it was his second one. If they have average sheet metal fabrication skills, it’s doable. He said the instructions are pretty good and the kit is complete.

One more mod for the mix......double puck brakes.
That’s my next one.

Also....some 182s did not come with the carb temp gauge. 182s should all have them.

Currently, our 182 is:
1961 model D
Pponk engine
Airglas fork
8:50 mains and 8:00 nose
bAS seatbelts
Atlee dodge jump seats
Selkirk extended baggage
Sportsman STOL
VGs

He's got an IO-520 I think.

Oh. Even better.

Correct.