Mr. Originality Nut?

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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GAHorn
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by GAHorn »

blueldr wrote:George,
The picture of the baggage door looks wrinkley just forward of the new door. Is that some sort of reflection?
Did you use the STC of "Harry the Delicate"? How about the right wing lights. Is there an STC for that too?
I just bootlegged mine.
The baggage door mod utilized Harry Dellicker's STC. Yes, that's just a reflection of Richard's knobby/wrinkely knees,..... there's no "wrinkles" in the sheet metal. Del Lehmann did absolutely beautiful work! (He even upholstered and painted to match my interior.) He hired a FAA-DER who did official structural studies/approvals for the landing light mods. (Saved me a bunch.) Anyone wanting this mod and wanting to do it LEGAL... should contact him. (Legal might be a good idea for anyone who values their net-worth.)

(edited by me, gahorn)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
hilltop170
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by hilltop170 »

Right now, Del's DER approval for the right wing landing/taxi light is only valid for the B model but Del is going to get the DER to include the A model right away, I'm scheduled to take my A model in next week for the conversion.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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n2582d
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Landing Light STC

Post by n2582d »

I'm looking forward to Del getting that STC. It looks like a great mod.

I did notice that there is an STC for landing lights from Skycraft Corp. It was originally issued in 1961 but renewed last year. Has anybody had this STC done on their 170 or know anything about it? By the limited description it is hard to tell if it is similar to what Del has done or if it is completely different. "...outboard of structure" sounds like lights in the wingtip--like RMD's expensive STC--hardly original looking.
Landing Light STC.jpg
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Gary
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GAHorn
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by GAHorn »

That is the one for the ragwing to get rid of the retractable Grimes and does not apply to the A or B models.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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n2582d
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by n2582d »

gahorn wrote:That is the one for the ragwing to get rid of the retractable Grimes and does not apply to the A or B models.
It is a little confusing as to which aircraft this STC applies to. I found it by searching under "170 series" not "170" in the FAA's STC listing and when you click on it it says:


Supplemental Type Certificate

STC Number:
SA1-647

This certificate issued to:
Skycraft Corporation Inc.

...

TC Number -- Make -- Model:
A-799 -- Cessna Aircraft Company, The -- 170 Series

However, like you pointed out George, the STC that I copied in my previous entry only says "170". So I called Woodstock Air Services (845-583-5830) which now owns the STC for clarification. Unfortunately, the STC was "in the safe". He did have a copy of the 120-140 STC though. That one was for lights in the left leading edge so I'm guessing you are right on this George. He also said he had the STC but not the drawings. I don't know how he can legally sell an STC if he doesn't have the drawings.

P.S. My curiosity got the best of me so I called the FAA in NY to get the final word on this. The STC is only for the ragwing C-170. The FAA misfiled it on their website. I should have never doubted you George!
Gary
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GAHorn
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Re: Landing Light STC

Post by GAHorn »

n2582d wrote:I'm looking forward to Del getting that STC. It looks like a great mod....
There's no need to wait. Del already has engineering approval to install them in your B (and as of next week) your A-models. Take your airplane to Mena, AR and enjoy a two or three day vacation in the Ozark mountains and fly your plane home. He might even be able to do it in a day, but you'll have to work that out directly with him.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
wingnut
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Re: Landing Light STC

Post by wingnut »

gahorn wrote:
n2582d wrote:I'm looking forward to Del getting that STC. It looks like a great mod....
There's no need to wait. Del already has engineering approval to install them in your B (and as of next week) your A-models. Take your airplane to Mena, AR and enjoy a two or three day vacation in the Ozark mountains and fly your plane home.
He might even be able to do it in a day, but you'll have to work that out directly with him.
George,
Your making it sound like I'm a pro. :D Like I tell my wife,"I may not be very good but I'm slow". No, really the job does take 2-3 days with epoxy primer and paint. We will have DER approval for the A models sometime next week.
If a customer did not want the primer and paint, that would save a day of drying time, and if I put 2 mechanics on the job, one long day would be possible but would require careful scheduling. We'll see how this second job goes and then I'll post a price and turn time for this mod. Thanks for being the guinea pig George :D
Del Lehmann
Mena, Arkansas
hilltop170
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by hilltop170 »

Ina and I flew N1715D to Mena, Arkansas, KMEZ yesterday morning. We left Fredericksburg at 6:40am in the dark and watched the sun come up as we were passing Waco.
IMG_8250_1_1.JPG
We had an enjoyable 3:00 hour, 404 mile flight with a 35mph tailwind at 3500' msl that lasted the entire trip.
IMG_8260_2_1.JPG
IMG_8266_3_1.JPG
IMG_8269_4_1.JPG
We took the plane to Del on George Horn's recommendation and after seeing the work Del did on George's plane. I wanted to get the right wing landing/taxi light mod installed with the Pulselite system plus a laundry list of 8 or 10 other items I wanted Del's shop to work on.

A couple of friends from Fredericksburg flew to Mena to pick us up but before we left Del presented me with an estimate for parts and labor for the work. When was the last time you got an estimate without having to twist someone's arm to get it? I'm already impressed!

Stay tuned for updates as the work progresses.
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Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
Jr.CubBuilder
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by Jr.CubBuilder »

hilltop170 wrote:When was the last time you got an estimate without having to twist someone's arm to get it? I'm already impressed!

Stay tuned for updates as the work progresses.
I got an estimate from my present mechanic without having to ask, that's a good sign. Let us know how it goes, I'm very interested in this mod.

Del you're a little to far away for me to fly down anytime soon, but I would like to know if/when you get an STC for this.
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GAHorn
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by GAHorn »

Jr.CubBuilder wrote:
hilltop170 wrote:When was the last time you got an estimate without having to twist someone's arm to get it? I'm already impressed!

Stay tuned for updates as the work progresses.
I got an estimate from my present mechanic without having to ask, that's a good sign. Let us know how it goes, I'm very interested in this mod.

Del you're a little to far away for me to fly down anytime soon, but I would like to know if/when you get an STC for this.

Jr.CubBuilder and everyone else.... NO STC is needed for this mod on a 170A or B if you take it to Del Lehmann because he already has engineering approval for the mod. He owns that approval and can perform the mod.

Del is not attempting to gain an STC either. The orginal idea and design of this mod is my personal idea/work product, the actual work on my airplane accomplished by Del. In accomplishing that work, Del hired an FAA-designated engineer and paid for that engineering approval, which he retains ownership of. I *plan to pursue* the STC avenue in an effort to make it available to more Cessna owners. If/when such an STC is obtained, I will share it with Del in appreciation for his having assisted me in modifying my airplane.

But to be clear.... if you have a 170 A or B, you do not need to wait for an STC. All you have to do is bring it to Del who already has approval to modify your aircraft.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
Jr.CubBuilder
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by Jr.CubBuilder »

gahorn wrote:
Jr.CubBuilder and everyone else.... NO STC is needed for this mod on a 170A or B if you take it to Del Lehmann because he already has engineering approval for the mod. He owns that approval and can perform the mod.


I got that part, I just don't have the vacation time or money to fly all the way down there.

gahorn wrote: Del is not attempting to gain an STC either. The orginal idea and design of this mod is my personal idea/work product, the actual work on my airplane accomplished by Del. In accomplishing that work, Del hired an FAA-designated engineer and paid for that engineering approval, which he retains ownership of. I am pursuing the STC avenue in an effort to make it available to more Cessna owners. If/when such an STC is obtained, I will share it with Del in appreciation for his having assisted me in modifying my airplane.

But to be clear.... if you have a 170 A or B, you do not need to wait for an STC. All you have to do is bring it to Del who already has approval to modify your aircraft.
Cool! I hope you get the STC and let me know if you do because I will be very interested in purchasing it if I'm still flying this plane.
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jrenwick
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by jrenwick »

Could the landing light mod be done on a 170 with a leading edge cuff, installed as part of a Horton or similar STOL kit?
John Renwick
Minneapolis, MN
Former owner, '55 C-170B, N4401B
'42 J-3 Cub, N62088
'50 Swift GC-1B, N2431B, Oshkosh 2009 Outstanding Swift Award, 2016 Best Continuously Maintained Swift
wingnut
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by wingnut »

John,
Yes it could because the only difference would be the contour of the lense and lense retainer. The void between the original leading edge and cuffed leading edge would need a filler of some sort. Does the stol kit have something for the void on the left wing landing light?
Del Lehmann
Mena, Arkansas
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jrenwick
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by jrenwick »

wingnut wrote:John,
Yes it could because the only difference would be the contour of the lense and lense retainer. The void between the original leading edge and cuffed leading edge would need a filler of some sort. Does the stol kit have something for the void on the left wing landing light?
Hi Del,

I figured the only differences would be in the lens and retainer, but thought I'd ask. My Horton installation doesn't have anything filling the gap between the cuff and the original edge where the landing lights are. There are other kits, and they may have something there.

Thanks!

John
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GAHorn
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Re: Mr. Originality Nut?

Post by GAHorn »

Jr.CubBuilder wrote:..I got that part, I just don't have the vacation time or money to fly all the way down there....
Plan your next vacation around your modification/repairs. While in Mena, you won't believe the wonderful vacation spots nearby. Lake of the Ozarks fishing, Gaston's,

http://www.gastons.com/

and for the lady in your life (virtually AT Mena):

http://www.queenwilhelmina.com/default.asp

not to mention Hot Springs, AR famous baths and horse-racing:

http://www.hotsprings.org/
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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