The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I have searched this forum, googled till the cows come home, and the only thing I can find is:

http://www.avion.com/Products/AvionCont ... trlWh.html

I don't like my current control wheels, but come on... almost a thousand bucks?

Anyone have any other suggestions? (Like going back to the vintage wheels?)

Thanks
Rich

(OBTW - 5740C is finally back in the air. So far, I've got about 3.5 hours on the Penn Yan MHO. So far, so good)

How about having your current ones re-done?

http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... f=2&t=3045

Kyle Wolfe wrote:How about having your current ones re-done?

http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... f=2&t=3045

The ones I have now are some funky-arsed ones. Not even close to original. My guess is they are "home-builder" yokes. I'd love to go back to originals, are they even available?

I refinished my yokes and shafts a few months ago. Stripped the paint on the yokes and had them powder coated, had the shafts rechromed. Total cost about $100. Have an extra set if you care to PM me.

I am also not a fan of the originl C-170B control wheels, and have long ago installed a pair of later model C-172 "Rams Horn" type wheels which I really like.
I still have the original wheels some place around the hangar and, if anyone is looking for originality I'd be delighted to trade them for a different pair.

So... what'd you REALLY prefer to have in the cockpit, BluElder?

Rich,

Control wheels, whether original 170 or any other type, can generally be found in salvage yards, e-auctions, or from some association members who are willing to sell. They are certainly available. As for refinishing, as other have mentioned stripping and repainting them, along with rechroming the shafts, is a very workable solution for not much money.

Don't have originals but had my ram horns painted 10 yrs ago & they still look brand new. Also replaced the very rusty shafts with thick wall stainless & buffed them up real nice ,they still look like the day I put them in & yhey will never rust again.

Seriously. Where can I get my yokes shafts rechromed.

Any place that does chrome work can chrome them they just have to have the capability to bake them @ 350 deg for 3-4 hours to remove excess hydrogen (re: hydrogen embrittlement) which is a by product of the chroming process. I had mine done at a relatively local chrome shop that specializes in antique car/boat restoration. They have done aircraft work as well and knew about the need to bake them and could do so.

I also need some control wheels. I have uncertified yokes on now that need to be replaced. I'm not a huge fan of the original ones, but if anyone has some for sale I might be interested. What is everyone else using - that's legal? I'm in a bit of a hurry, so thanks in advance!

Here is what I have done. Instead of spending $250 per wheel for the original style rose coating. I believe the company was in Oklahoma (advertised in Trade a Plane). I simply cleaned them up removing all the old stuff and painted with epoxy. While I was at it, I drilled the center of the mount with 1/4 inch hole and inserted a micro switch for my push to talk. It makes a great arm chair control and one handed operation on the original yokes and puts the wiring out of sight and under the panel.

If anyone really wants a set of original control wheels, I have a set up in my hangar and would be delighted to sell them.

Call me at (916) 635-5566 7 to 10 AM or 6 t0 10 PM Pacific Time.

Dick Lemmon

I might take you up on that - we're trying to field approve the currant ones on the airplane. My guess is it won't work and I'll need to replace them.

Do not drill or otherwise modify your original yokes unless you are willing to risk their condemnation by an FAA type. Such mods require a basis of approval as do replacement yokes of any pedigree.

I guess it's a personal thing, but I don't understand why folks don't like the original yokes if they like the original tails. It's a period-style thing. I'd never like a 1930 Cord roadster with a 1959 Chevy steering wheel.