Factory cabin entry steps

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Dillon, can you post here when you update your blog with new pics of the paint? Looking forward to seeing how it all came out.

Yes, I was looking to but I know there are some restrictions as to where I can post. Should I post in the Hangar section? Is that alright??

Dillion, there is no restriction (that I can think of) against posting a link or an update to a blog such as yours as long as your not selling something.

In fact I edited your post with the url to your link so it is a hot link and people don't have to copy and paste the url.

I would suggest The Pilot Lounge is probably a more appropriate place for your blog unless you get into great detail how you are going about restoring your airplane. I would suggest you simply start a thread called Dillons 170 restoration blog and place the link into it. Then when you update your blog you can post a notice to that thread.



As for the steps, I don't think I'd drill a hole in them. If I had them removed I'd fill them with some epoxy primer and let it drain out.

[170C]

Regarding the anti slip issue, while I don't have any idea what may have been original (and anyone judging a 170 at a fly in, etc. probably wouldn't know either) but the wing walk product that George mentioned and attached a photo of the can is what I have used for years and it works great. It doesn't seem to wear off like some I have seen. Attaching tape or other products would seem to eventually begin to peel off of the steps. I removed both of my boarding steps a year or so back because I thought one was cracking. Turned out it was only the paint that cracked, but mine have both been welded previously and I had a welder weld a small gusset where the horizonal step and the step "strut" meet. So far it has worked very well. They are hollow as mentioned, but the way they are attached I have doubts about them ever coming loose. Removal & reinstallation wasn't too bad. I think the weakest link in getting in or out of our conventional geared planes it the assist strap. If it should break as you have a lot of stress on it you could easily fall back on your head. The strap itself seems pretty strong, but the attach fittings will break. I have had two to do so, but fortunately no injuries or falls. We need to find someone who can cast some new/strong ones for our assn.

[54170b]

I suggest you leave them without anti skid material so that the time it takes for you to slide off of them and twist your ankle, smash your knee cap into the door sill or gouge your leg wide open with the step, will be shorter and you will then become part of the true group known as Cessna 170 owners. Smashing your far head into the flap trailing edge leaving the Cessna diamond imprint only ranks one as a curious observer.

Seriously, the two most dangerous things that immediately come to mind about our 170s is the step and the wing trailing edge. You have got to be a million times more likely to be hurt by them than the spinning prop because most of us equate a spinning prop as dangerous and treat it accordingly.

Several years ago I "acquired" a roll of anti skid material. It is 4" wide and perfect for cutting into rectangular pieces for the step and any other place you may not want to slip on. it has working well and surviving living outdoors year round as my 170s have not been hangared. There is no manufacture name on it but I'll bet 3M makes some like it. Probably available at the local hardware store. It's an alternative to the wing walk paint.

Anti skid.jpg

I walked into the wing while following my 5' boss (I'm 6'4") he walked under with no problem, but I was carrying the prop for a bonanza and got a nice print on my forehead. I was nicknamed harry potter until it healed. To prevent this I was thinking of adding a bulb angle to my trailing edge.
on the steps I have some newer ones with the teardrop shape from a 185 I think. I was thinking about selling them and buying some normal ones. any opinions?

[54170b]

Those are the 170 steps, the teardrop steps are more I think

[DaveF]

Same here. I never stand on them either after seeing what little hardware holds them on.

It's not as weak as it looks. The step actually extends through the skin and up to the bottom of the outboard seat rail. The one large screw in the seat rail is what secures it. The belly skin mostly acts as a fulcrum.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

I think the weakness is that eventually the weld cracks and breaks at the step bend. Internal corrosion doesn't help. Lots of aircraft steps not just Cessna 170 steps have the same issue.

[54170b]

Spruces claim to be stronger/ better, but if you buy theres its hard to fly with only one arm and one leg

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

I repaired/made my own step.