Hi to all, new guy here.

Aeroplane · Post by **Aeroplane** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 10:15 pm

Been flying most of my life and owned a few planes along the way. Got rid of our last plane a couple of years ago and have sorely missed flying. I was going to build a Fisher Dakota Hawk, have the plans sitting here next to my chair but retirement is a busy proposition and I really don't have time to build right now. We've only owned one four place airplane and that was my wife's favorite. She's the one who suggested that instead of building we buy an already flying plane and since she prefers a four seater... Well, you need to keep the missus happy, that and we have two small dogs that go everywhere with us. I can't think of a more beautiful airplane than a Cessna 170 so it looks like we'll be in the market for just the right one around the middle of the year. I'll have lots of questions between now and then so please bear with me. I want to get this right. My first question, is there much difference in flying qualities between 170's with and without dihedral? Thanks and if there are any 170 owners here in central Florida please get in touch. I'd love a ride in a 170 and I'll be more than happy to buy gas and lunch. Louie

bigrenna · Post by **bigrenna** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 12:54 am

delete

Post by **Bruce Fenstermacher** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 1:28 am

Aeroplane wrote: My first question, is there much difference in flying qualities between 170's with and without dihedral?

To answer your specific question, no, 99 out of 100 pilots wouldn't be able to tell the difference dihedral makes.

Now if you asked, is there a difference between the 170s with dihedral and those without, the answer is yes there is. The single biggest thing people think is the important difference is those with dihedral have the larger semi Fowler flaps and those without have smaller flaps. But in reality for most average pilots who are not trying to push the envelope as a bush pilot the flaps aren't important at all.

Post by **GAHorn** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 4:36 am

The difference between those with and those without dihedral is small...but noticeable in turbulence. That's why Cessna changed the design despite the increased cost of doing so (in an "economy" airplane.)

Is it a "deal breaker" if the airplane considered doesn't have it but otherwise is a happy choice? No. The high-wing design already has inherent stability. Dihedral only improves it a bit.

There is so much with which to be more concerned than dihedral when choosing among 170 models. Things like: Condition/Condition/Condition ...followed by Documentation/Documentation/Documentation...

And color. (Red is best.)

blueldr · Post by **blueldr** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 6:28 am

How much experience do you have flying airplanes with conventional landing gear configuration? (Tailwheels)
If your previous experience was exclusively or primarily in airplanes with a nose wheel, If I were you I would seriously consider a
C-172. They're almost the same airplane, are cheaper to buy and insure and you wont have to relearn to fly. If you have a burning desire to be a REAL piliot, good luck finding a real pilots airplane.

Aeroplane · Post by **Aeroplane** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 1:21 pm

Thanks to all for the good advice so far, keep it coming. We won't be ready to "pull the pin" as they say till somewhere around June or July according to the office of management and budget (wifey). Never flown a taildragger before but I've got lots of friends down at my airport (COI) who are willing and anxious to help with that. Cant't be much tougher than than setting auger cast piling with a very old 70 ton American crawler!

edbooth · Post by **edbooth** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 3:34 pm

Aeroplane wrote:Thanks to all for the good advice so far, keep it coming. We won't be ready to "pull the pin" as they say till somewhere around June or July according to the office of management and budget (wifey). Never flown a taildragger before but I've got lots of friends down at my airport (COI) who are willing and anxious to help with that. Cant't be much tougher than than setting auger cast piling with a very old 70 ton American crawler!

The taildraggers are really not that tough if you remember to keep your legs moving and don't stop flying it until the wheels are chocked.... Welcome to the club, ya can't go wrong with this bunch.

C170U2 · Post by **C170U2** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 10:13 pm

When I bought my 120 I had zero taildragger time. Don't let that scare you away from buying one....everyone has to start somewhere. My experience with the 170 so far has been that she is a really honest, easy to fly plane. If I were teaching someone to fly tailwheel it would be in the 170, not the 120. Good luck, and welcome!!

170C · Post by **170C** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 11:59 pm

Welcome Louie! Glad to have you aboard. There are quite a few 170 members there in Florida and I am sure you could get an introductory flight with them. If you haven't flown a tail wheeled plane before, you will learn what the rudder pedals are for pretty quickly. You will learn how to fly the plane on take off & landing rather than driving it. As my old instructor told me, it will make a better pilot out of you! You will find the 170 to be a delight and a lot of fun. Good luck with your hunt and please feel free to ask as many questions as you wish. You will get lots of feedback from this group. Now don't pay too much attention to George when it comes to the proper color of plane to get

Red works well, but the GREEN ones just go a little faster

Aeroplane · Post by **Aeroplane** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 2:05 am

Thanks again for all the input. Can't wait for the summer when we can start our search in earnest. Meanwhile I'm checking Barnstormers daily and if a deal were to come up sooner we might jump. Happy New Year guys!

The International Cessna^® 170 Association