The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Frank,I dug out an old magazine ( April 1986!) I saved for an article about a 172 tailwheel conversion. It sez it's a Bolen conversion,STC SA296GL,and that the STC was sold to Bob Williams,Box 608,Udall KS 67146. It also lists other contact info for Williams-- Bush Conversions,PO Box 431 Udall KS 67146,316-782-3851 & Avcon Conversions,PO Box 654,Udall KS 67146,316-782-3317.
The airplane in the article is fitted with 180 gear legs, and has the standard (early) 170 rudder bellcrank-to-tailwheel steering chains & springs.
Hope this information sheds a little light on the subject.
Oh,a friend of mine has an Avcon engine conversion on a Cessna 150-150 that he bought. he had some questions on the STC,and contacted Williams on the telephone ( eventually). He told me that Williams didn't seem any too interested in providing any information unless it involved an exchange of money,and he wasn't too sure that would work either. I have heard from other sources that Williams doesn't have the greatest reputation for being easy to do business with.
I was just thinking,you mentioned Tom Benedict having done a Bolen conversion on a 175. Maybe he still has a copy of the STC paperwork,that might be useful to you. My old article sez the STC for the 175 conversion is a different one that for the 172,it's # SA383GL.

Eric

HI Eric

Well done, I think that you have it, I have also sourced a company that does the conversions in Australia, who apparently do a fantastic job, check their web site out at: http://www.northwestaviation.com.au/tai ... rsions.htm they convert C152,172,182 but specialise in C182’s, worth looking at as the C182 C and D which is ideal according to Paul (owner) go for very reasonable prices in Australia and converting will cost between 18-23 000 OZ$. Thanks for that STC number, now the biggest problem of all as you said was sourcing it, I have written to Avcon as apparently they have the STC so lets see what comes out of it, will keep you posted.
Ciao
Gooney

Thanks for the info regarding Bob Williams. I have a phone # at home for someone or some company in KS, but when I have called that number I never got an answer. I will try the ones you provided. Fortunately my questions are minor so if I can't get in touch with them it isn't critical. It is a sorry state of affairs when STC holders fail to support their product, but guess that goes with a lot of other things that goes on.

Ole Pokey

Not all STC holders purchased the STC for purposes of re-sale. Some of them are bought as investments, some to get rid of competition, some because they are airplane-maker wannabes who got old and lost interest. Also, some STC's are simply poorly designed with defects not worth the risk of promoting. FYI

I had to deal with Bob Williams last winter to get the STC reissued for the conversion I bought. Nice enough guy but it took three months and $125. Beware. I would only buy something from him on a Cash On Delivery basis. No deposit either. I 'd go so far as to pick it up in person after inspecting the item(s).