The International Cessna^® 170 Association

No I am not looking to make these commercially. In all honesty they would not be able to be mass produced in this country. It would be cost prohibitive. The time for this would be huge. I was seeking to get an idea to see if I can make them for myself as I think they are a suitable alternative then the bolt on strap steps that you see widely used. The other beauty is that they are easily adjustable for a comfortable height for you to step on. It is a rather ingenious design. Being aluminum they definitely will not hurt the gear leg. The only thing I can see is scratching the paint. neoprene I think is the solution there but I need to see if I can acurately make them first. Milling out a diamond grid for the anti slip surface would help to reduce weight. I see these things weighing about 9 oz or so after completion. Doug

FYI for those who might search out this thread in the future F Atlee Dodge in Anchorage sells a strut step kit as well as a boot cowl step for small Cessnas. No basis of approval comes with them.

They also sell a PMA replacement cabin step, though that isn't the subject of this thread.

I have a relative that has his own Casting business and owns a 1956 Cessna 150 taildragger. I showed him the design and he said if he had two of them to make a cast of he could produce them for $8.00. I would like to have one so that gives me the drive to possibly make the two required. I let him know that if he makes them, quite a few Cessna owners would be interested. I'll keep you updated.

v/r,
Jud

rupertjl wrote:I have a relative that has his own Casting business and owns a 1956 Cessna 150 taildragger. I showed him the design and he said if he had two of them to make a cast of he could produce them for $8.00. I would like to have one so that gives me the drive to possibly make the two required. I let him know that if he makes them, quite a few Cessna owners would be interested. I'll keep you updated.

v/r,
Jud

For casting purposes, you could probably cut them out of wood!

John, that's exactly what he suggested as well!

Miles, can you tell me what are the following dimensions? I made a copy of this in solidworks. It comes out but I am missing a couple dimensions. I have aquired some material for this. Jud how is the sand casting going?
How many people would be interested in this? depending on how many I might be able to mill them out. Would you please let me know? I will have a prototype soon. As I said before I do not want to go into business with this but if I am making them, I might make you one also. Thanks, Doug

I'm satisfied that if you made a hundred of them you'd find buyers. If it's not more than $20 I'll be one.

Doug,
I haven't gotten the wood plugs to him yet. He wanted two so that he could make two at a time. He also said to make all dimensions 10% larger for the plug due to the casting process and shrinking of metal as it cools. With our first kid only 8 months ago and a wife that decided to stay home to take care of her, I'm having a hard time finding the "free" time I once had...

v/r,
Jud

canav8 wrote:Miles, can you tell me what are the following dimensions? I made a copy of this in solidworks. It comes out but I am missing a couple dimensions. ... Thanks, Doug

Sorry about that Doug. The slot is 3 inches deep, and from the end of the slot to the outside edge is 1-1/16".

I got the first step done but i need to adjust the amount of cutback on the inner angle around the cutout. Have pics this week. Doug

Any news on making more of these steps?
I'd be interested in buying a few of them for myself and a few guys on the field. Christmas is coming.

-David

Hi David, they are done. I have been so busy. They are still at the machinist. I will try to get over to him this week. I will have a picture shortly. Doug

Thanks for the heads up.
Please let me know when you have them and how much you want for them.
I'm still thinking three of the steps but it might be more if you have more.

Cheers.

I got the strut steps back finally from the my machinest. They look good. I will have a couple pictures in a day or to. I am so sorry that it took so long. I forgot about them. I gotta run some powdercoat on them. Stay tuned. Doug

Thanks for the update!
Let me know when I can send you some money