The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Well I finally pretty much finished my project, and I have been flying the wings off of 84A this past month... in our Texas hell heat. I would like to hear what a few of you have done to your original yokes to make them a little easier to hold onto with sweaty hands (yes, I too am thinking of about a hundred different jokes right now) . I had them powder coated with fair results, but those skinny buggers get pretty slick when its close to a hundred degrees out. I have thought of just using tennis racket tape but I am afraid that it might look a little cheesey. You can get some slip on covers for the ram's horn types but I haven't seen them for the older yokes. I have also seen a company that makes leather covers but they want about a $120 or more per yoke. Any ideas?
By the way if anyone is interested they can see pictures at the paintshop at http://www.stetsonaviation.com/paint.htm under the photo gallery (170A).
David

Well, mine had the automotive steering wheel tape wrapped around them. I've removed it for my refurb., but when it was on it worked just fine and looked ok. Whoever did it obviously spent some time and made sure the wraps were neatly done and tight. I guess if you wanted to go that route, you could get something that looked decent as long as you spent the time to do it cleanly.

David, I have been flying with Nomex flying gloves for a year now and I love them - even in very hot temperatures. I originally got them for the fire protection (just in case), but now I find that I can reach for or pick up anything without concern on temperatures, and they have the added benefit of protecting hands left in the sun for long periods of time. Even the black ones don't seem to get that hot. We don't get Texas hot in California, but at some of our high altitude airports the sun really can put the heatwaves on the cockpit.

Richard

David, I understand what you mean about flying in the Texas heat. Until I had my interior redone and the yokes were covered in leather, I had black auto streering wheel wraps on my plane as Doug suggested. They prevent hot yokes, slick yokes and provide a nice cushion. I saw at least one nice 170 at the Tehachapi convention with them and it looked really good. They also come, as you probably know, in vrs. colors.

Good luck. Hope to see you at the Texas 170 Flyin in Huntsville in August.

Richard, I had to laugh a little about the nomex gloves, I still have mine from my navy days. I flew for ten years in all extremes of weather and I always wore nomex (required). When I started flying light airplanes I always felt a little naked without the gloves (not to mention the lack of helmet and nomex flight suit). I may have to start using them again at least until I find a good wrap.
I have looked at a couple of places but haven't found any of those steering wheel wraps, seems I always used to see them everywhere except now when I am looking. I am sure they are out there somewhere.
I sure hope to make it to some of the local flyins so I can show off my 170, Huntsville may be a possibility.
Thanks,
David

We found some wide leather lace cord and wrapped them with it. I believe we found it at a craft store for about $15.00 or so which covered them both. It took about an hour to install per side.

Ck out Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc. one or all most likely have them. If no luck let me know and I'll look here in the Fort Worth area for you.

Thanks Ole Pokey, I found some, only cost about $6.00 for both. I am going to look for some leather lace (it might look a little better), meanwhile I dug out my old flight gloves, for me at least they are pretty comfortable.
David

Oh, by the way, when is the Huntsville fly in? I can't find my last newsletter.
David

dacker wrote:Oh, by the way, when is the Huntsville fly in? I can't find my last newsletter.
David

The newsletter (The Flypaper) can be downloaded from this websites home page.