Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the later model 180s go to the high lift chamber leading edge, somewhat changing the old 2412 airfoil?

Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the later model 180s go to the high lift chamber leading edge, somewhat changing the old 2412 airfoil?

I saw a 170 with a TSIO 360 at Trigger Gap AR. It had a bunch of backcountry mods and he boasted better fuel economy and performance than his 180/185 brethren. He was, at that time, the local representative for the RAF in Arkansas.
There’s a lot of promotion going on for flying Arkansas (Walton supported). Look into Fly Oz.

I love my 170A. Leaps off the runway, flies like a dream. I haven't found useful load to be a problem, but it is a pain getting to the baggage area, over the folded down rear seat. Range is an issue, especially with the restriction on taking off with 1/4 tank or less. I plan for 2.5 hours between stops so there's at least 1/4 tank available for go-arounds. Unless I'm absolutely certain that I'll nail the landing. (Yeah, right.).

The lack of decent instrument trainers around here led me to put in a vintage-looking glass IFR panel (three Garmin 275s and a 355) so I could earn my instrument rating. But the lack of range is still an issue if an alternate is ever needed. But for training, it's great.

I did look at getting something bigger, higher, faster. But came back to the fact that you can't beat the sexiness of a 170.

That’s always going to be the case. The 18x series burns more gas than it gets in speed increases over the 17x series. It’s like a 35% increase in fuel burn for a 20% increase in speed.

Depends on his metric for “performance” getting burger and having fun on the grass while not burning much fuel, sure

Taking off in a still short distance, having a acceptable cruise speed, hauling a load, IFR/VFR and having some legs, the 170 does not have performance

A skywagon… on floats.. will easily cruise 120kts


I’d say a 170 is a great plane if you’re just flying you and one other and some stuff recreationally VMC within about 100nm or less, ie its a great $100 burger getter, or going camping for a night with the wife at a nearby grass strip (if you don’t need to haul a lot)

For me and that mission I’d be looking at building up a nice PA18, the 170 is nice but for me it’s a middle ground I just don’t really get between a supercub and a skywagon

I think someone referred to part of this earlier, but the 180's (not sure if all or just some) have a stabilator (A stabilizer and elevator built into one). The stabilator makes a significant difference in getting off the ground quicker as the entire section moves, particularly on floats with a heavy load. I believe the stabilator earned the nickname the "flying tail".

This video shows it for those not familiar although this isn't of a 180.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUzzKFEcLY

Garth

I don’t think so

I’ve never seen a skywagon with a stabilator

They do have a trimable stabilizer vs a trim tab though

There is nothing that can compare to the early 180. It is not good at any particular thing... it is great at everything.
I obtained mine from a corrupt airport commandante. Part of the negotiation was a bet on a cock fight, (that is, the avian kind). The comm later changed his mind, and impounded it at the Juarez airport on a technicality, chaining the prop. My bolt cutter at 2:00 AM set her free, and I brought her to the US some 50' above the earth. The comandante later passed under unexpected circumstances, and the man that replaced him was much friendlier, as he owed me some favors.
I operated the 180 in support of my cattle ranches in the Mexican Sierra Madre for some 40 years. 50,00 acres can best be managed with a Skywagon.
My deluxe landing strip was 900 feet long, uphill, blind canyon; always with a quartering tailwind that scared the p.ss out of my girlfriends. (PPonk made a world of difference, thank you Steve and Norma).
It got me out of a couple of tight situations down there, to include a gunfight with some bad hombres. Sadly, my best horse perished in extracting me from the fracas.
When I got sick enough of the drug lords, I sold the beautifully productive land, crafted by my grandfather, and got out, mostly in one piece. That ended a more than 200 year epic saga of land, cattle, and dealing with a dysfunctional judicial system that makes anything we have going here look like paradise.
Kept my 180, changed its registry from "XB" to "N", taught it to speak English, and it's been a model citizen since then. It's had me from Alaska, to Costa Rica, Belize, Yucatan, Cuba, Florida, the Great Lakes, and much of Canada.
My father, who also flew it when he was alive, left me a heartfelt message inside the oil inspection door, before his passing. It is still there.
A Cessna 180 is not a thing. It is, like your best horse or dog, a friend and companion. Losing anyone of them hurts deeply.
To say that I have an emotional investment in this wonderful airplane is an understatement.
It will soon come under a full restoration by Mountain Airframe.
Best,
TN

No flying tail, but elevator trim is by a jackscrew that moves the forward portion of the stabilizer. It's like a J-3 or an early 182.

On the question of 180 vs upgraded 170, there are a couple of issues people skip over in these conversations: 1) 180 hp 170's are rare. Right now, there are two on Barnstormers, compared to seven 180's. 2) "Super" 170 prices are in the same ballpark as 180's. One of the two on Barnstormers right now is listed by an old guy who promotes it endlessly on Backcountrypilot who, despite not mentioning it in the ad, must be including a couple of gold ingots in the price.

I'm sure the 170s are nice, but if you get to the point where you've "gotta have one of those," you may spend a long time not flying.

Any thoughts on a 180 with the P-Ponk engine? More horsepower is always good, no?

I just want to be like Mr Navar if I grow up.

T Navar. Wish a platoon or two of Marines with a squad of seals could have had some US air support and saved/kept his family ranch. OK, OK I’m waking up from a dreamy nap but a guy can dream right?

Tom a friend’s C180 has an Air Plains, Wellington KS. IO 550 with all the Snider speed kits available on it. One of the fastest 5 180’s in the US he always said. It was a beauty.

Of course Ken Snider made those kits with his son…..

Tom a friend’s C180 has an Air Plains, Wellington KS. IO 550 with all the Snider speed kits available on it. One of the fastest 5 180’s in the US he always said. It was a beauty.

Of course Ken Snider made those kits with his son…..