The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I would like to know if anyone has removed the right side controls? Both pedals and wheel. WHY? less weight, less potential for accidental input. My Beaver had a throw over control yoke with no right rudder pedals and I have seen 180/185s with yoke removed and pedals stowed or early models covered up with tin.

Although removing the right side controls is a relatively easy thing to do, you are dealing with primary flight controls. This is not minor or preventative maintenance. It needs to be done or overseen by an A&P. If you remove the universal joint as described above there is the potential for the aileron chain sprocket to come out of the control tee. That would make aileron control "sporty". The universal joint, or a bushing to replace it, needs to be there, as illustrated in Fig. 61A, to retain the aileron chain sprocket.

I suggest that Cessna did not intend the universal to be removed with the yoke removed.

And I agree with Gary, an A&P rated individual would be found less at fault than just a rated pilot who removed the controls in todays world.

However there was a time when, even flying part 135, I was allowed to remove and install the dual controls in my helicopter. Of course now if I separate two pieces of velco while in the cockpit someone looks cross eyed at me.

In most cases it comes down to whether the manufacturer has an approved method and process for the control removal and who they state may perform the removal.

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:I.... Of course now if I separate two pieces of velco while in the cockpit someone looks cross eyed at me.....

Since many articles of clothing are now "velcroed"... I can see why!

Aryana, I agree with your thoughts on not removing the right side yoke (or rudder pedals). I cannot see any possible reason for someone to do so

I'm curious if those of you having aircraft with higher S/N's than 26995 have any kind of notation in your logbook or equipment list indicating the installation of the right hand control yoke and rudder pedals? Or maybe the installation of Accesory Kit AK 170-1 as shown in fig. 106? It would take a pretty sharp mechanic to notice if such optional equipment was installed without documentation.

I've only seen one occasion when a guy wished he had removed the right side pedals. He was coming in to Johnson Creek and his dog, which he apparently had flying co-pilot for him, fell down off the seat just as he touched down and got tangled in the rudder pedals trying to get up. Fortunately, the trees they ran into on the west dide of the runway were quite small and did not damage the airplane.
The dog was too stipid to realize that he should have been wearing the safety belt around him. I didn'think the pilot was all that swift either.

blueldr wrote:I've only seen one occasion when a guy wished he had removed the right side pedals.

I can think of one other. AA flight 587.

blueldr wrote:I've only seen one occasion when a guy wished he had removed the right side pedals. He was coming in to Johnson Creek and his dog, which he apparently had flying co-pilot for him, fell down off the seat just as he touched down and got tangled in the rudder pedals trying to get up. Fortunately, the trees they ran into on the west dide of the runway were quite small and did not damage the airplane.
The dog was too stipid to realize that he should have been wearing the safety belt around him. I didn'think the pilot was all that swift either.

I used to fly my golden retriever around in the 170, he loved to sit up in the front seat and look out the window. But he always went to the floor in the back seat for takeoff and landing.

Smart dog!