Hello BT,

I am back at home for a little while. I have been looking at some cessna 170's that have come on the market.

I have always been interested in these aircraft. Cheap to aquire, easy to maintain, low fuel burn, and from what I understand an easy tail wheel aircraft to master.

I am now looking for input from the great library of knowledge that is BeechTalk.

I am not looking for anything specific. Just your thoughts, comments, warnings, and general opinions from C170 drivers and aficionados.

Thanks.

The Cessna 180/185 are utility airplanes that one can actually load up and go somewhere. I am partial to these. A stock Cessna 170 is underpowered, particularly off shorter, wet grass runways. You will pay more for the 180, but you are getting twice the airplane.

A Cessna 170 with a 180 HP engine is a popular backcountry performer.

I agree, the only one I would consider is a C170B with 180 hp. The stock 145 hp is underpwer in this aircraft.
Get a 180.

What about the Stinson 108? 165HP.

I own a fire-breathing IO-550-powered Cessna 180 now and love it, but I had a 1951 170A prior to that for a few years and also loved it. The C-145 engine was smooth and reliable. Sure, it is not a go-getter and is marginal for four people, but with two onboard and camping gear, it was great. It hit most of the Idaho backcountry strips with no problems. Great forward visibility and delightfully light on the controls. (No comparison in that area to the 185s and later 180s...they're pretty trucky.) Good looking, easy to fly, relatively inexpensive...I like 170s a lot!

Hi Don-

I have a little time in a 170, and they are a fun airplane. The one that I flew had crosswind gear, and I would stay away from that. I found that the wheels "kicked out" too easily, and once they did, it felt like you were taxiing on ice.

Regards,

Bob

Hello Don,

I got my first 40+ hours in a 170B many years ago, so it can't be a hard plane to fly. I too find the C-180 more versatile but the back country demand seems to keep the 180 pricey.

The 180 or 170 forum would have the best list of what to look and would include pulling the floor boards to look at the gear attach area.

Cal

I've always thought the 185 was really underpowered. If you want a real airplane you need a beaver.

In seriousness, what is your mission? How much stuff? What temps/altitudes? What type/length strips with what obstacles? 170 is a perfectly wonderful plane flown within its envelope.

+1

I've owned one and I agree with Tom's comments. I enjoyed instructing in them. I prefer the B model for the Fowler flaps and couple of other reasons. Buy one. You'll love it.

Glenn

I've not owned one but have flown in one. More comfortable than a 140. But heck he guy I flew with in a 140 taught me to fly ditches at tree top level and do crop duster turns down in the deck. Power had very little to do with the fun! (Pilot skill and experience are important however).

Get one!

Hello guys and gals,

Thanks for all the input. I really enjoy reading all your comments.

I am looking at the C170 because of what seems to be a good price point for a simple aircraft.

To answer some questions, the aircraft would live in the southwest (Glendale airport, AZ - KGEU, and Fallbrook airport, California - L18). Its typical mission would be light transport, and the weekend $100 hamburger. It would rarely fly more than 200 nm. There would be occasion to fly into unimproved fields for fun. It may occasionally fly into a high altitude airport like Sedona, AZ or Big Bear CA. I am proficient and cautious flying into high altitude airports.

I appreciate the advice on the higher powered C170's, but they tend to get pricey. I don't need the speed or power. I own a Baron E-55 for that. This aircraft is more for the need to go low and slow for a weekend joy ride. Both my honey and me are light weights, so I believe the C170 with the stock 300 engine should be just fine.

Thanks for the comments.

Keep them coming.

I just started flying a Cessna 120. Lots of fun and delightful handling. I would expect a 170 to also peg the fun meter. I would also expect the empty weights to vary a great deal as they do in the 120/140's. Get a light one and the power isn't as big of an issue.

Robert

185 underpower? Mine as an IO-550 with 86" Black Mac.
What aircraft as 300 hp for 1900 ibs empty weight?
Unless your overgross on floats then I can understand.

Don,
Pay us a visit at the Cessna Pilots Society http://www.cessna-pilots.net/ We have several 170 owners/pilots there. (most of us are pretty friendly folk as well)