The International Cessna^® 170 Association

So, being a new member and a long time reader, first time poster....My question is to anyone that knows...

Is there such a thing as a 170B Service manual? Was there ‘EVER’ one produced from Cessna?

I know everyone says to use the pre 62 Cessna 100 series service manual...but it doesn’t address numerous things such as the ‘piano keys’ or the round tail surfaces...etc, etc, etc.

I’ve dug everywhere I know to dig....

Any info would be highly appreciated!

Thanks,
Greg V

The Cessna answer is called the Cessna 100 series service manual. In the preface of that document is a statement that the practices contained can be used to maintain Cessna 140 and 170 aircraft. There is also an Illustrated Parts Catalog specific to the Cessna 170. I believe both copies are located in the Maintenence library on this forum. Regards, Doug

Throughout the history of our Association there has been suggestions that “someone” should write the definitive maintenance manual for this model Cessna. Several Members have stabbed at that enterprise, usually to come to the realization (and appreciation for manual authors) that such a manual is a HUGE undertaking with potential for lots of errors and risk of personal attacks for inadvertent errors-and-omissions. The “SRAM” (Service Related Manual) which was sold by the Assoc’n for several years was one attempt that received much criticism for it’s cost of production (which was never fully covered by sales) and the errors, anecdotal repair schemes, and UN-approved methods and processes in that book contradicted it’s reproduction (not to mention the liabilities incurred by the Assoc’n to those who might use it.)
Fifteen years or so ago I allowed myself to be coaxed by Cleo Bickford (who was himself probably the best candidate for the task but smarter than to do so) to begin such an enterprise. My intention was to do it in sections and the first and only attempt so-far was the Electrical Systems Manual which Assoc’n Members may obtain free on CD.
It is woefully simplistic but took more effort, research, and expense to produce than one might imagine. A hard-copy/printed-version was given away to attendees of the Tehachapi convention hosted by Miles and Karen Bowen and I expected to continue the effort with subsequent sections on other topics such as Structures, Flight Controls, Landing Gear, Fuel and Hydraulic systems, etc. But the resources required by career, family, and time simply became overwhelming.
A re-write of the 100 Series Cessna Manual might be a “model” for production of a Service Manual if data could be assembled for the purpose, but even that would not likely be satisfactory, and keeping in mind the risks and liabilities counters most courage to attempt it.
Adding to that issue would be the Approval-Basis. While anyone can write articles about anything, a service-manual for an airplane, in order to “meet the rule” (FARs) should/must be an “approved” document. Submission to FAA and gaining FAA approval would add considerably to the complexity of creating the document.

Thanks Guys for the replies....and yes, gahorn, I’m aware of how work, family and life get in the way. Hence my long delay in returning a reply. Thanks for the tidbits of info I may inquire about in the future. And thank you Doug for your insight. Was aware of the “official” Cessna answer, had just always wondered if a factory 170 manual had been produced. Thanks for defining the answer.

Greg V

If there was a manual specific to the 170, I'd be surprised if it had such fine detail drilled down as maintenance of the piano keys. I've just completed my 7th month as an apprentice A&P working daily on SR20 and 22 airframes with a mix of Mooney, Beech and Piper thrown in. The manuals for these aircraft are much larger, but are so large you may not find what you think should be there or even if you are in the correct manual. Then with so many different changes it is very easy to use the wrong data.

So much of what we do really comes down to mechanical aptitude, and experience. You have to be able to look at an assembly and have a pretty good idea how to maintain it. Then ask for guidance from those that have done the work before and back that up with any known specific manual or if none exists, the closest manual one can use as guidance such as AC 43.13

If you can't find it in the 100 series , 62 and prior, or even if you can, you would be wise to ask those that have done the work before for specifics in our experience.

That's why we are here.

I have found over the years each aircraft manufacturer has a culture of designing aircraft and the systems are similar to each other . As I have said to many people a AN3-15a bolt does the same job on many aircraft . Before some says that that 767 was different to the build design of Boeing ,I am going to say there are exceptions to the rule . The methodology used in a later Cessna manual can be used for the 170 and the repair schemes in the structural repair section is just basic aeronautical practices.