The International Cessna^® 170 Association

My motivation for a Sportsman STOL Kit:

Previous owner of my '52 170B, SN20578, N2426D, put the VGs on 2 1/2" too far aft. A friend pointed this out while putting VGs on his airplane. It had been this way for 5 annuals before me and 2 since I bought her.

In discussion with Micro Aerodynamics, the results of having them on that far aft are; 1) no performance or handling benefits whatsoever, and 2) is a pronounced wing drop. That explains it all as wing drop is the norm if carrying any power at all, yes, ball in the center. So, ignore the improper installation, remove and leave alone, remove and reinstall them, or (my preference) remove, install a Sportsman STOL kit, then put the VGs in their proper place on top of, and relative to the new leading edge of the STOL cuff.

My wife accepted the safety benefits of the combo, and I am in the process of installing the STC. It is most unfortunate that the IA who performed and signed off the VG STC was so callous about his shoddy workmanship - "Let me know how that works out for you." I would welcome ideas on how to best send this upstream to the FAA without torpedoing his career or reputation. I just think the improper install needs reported.

I'm an A&P (not an IA) so I'm doing the work myself. The annual starts in a month and I am feeling the pressure to finish this before then. I look forward to seeing the difference when the work is done.

bjpalmer wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 9:14 pm ….
My wife accepted the safety benefits of the combo,….

It is most unfortunate that the IA who performed and signed off the VG STC was so callous about his shoddy workmanship -…
…. I just think the improper install needs reported.
….

I’m glad to find I’m not the only one to recognize the Wife is a higher authority than the FAA….

Before you get embroiled with the FAA, the installing-IA, and the courts…. you might run it by that higher authority first to see if she thinks it’s a worthwhile venture.

We often see and hear of situations where an aircraft owner receives lousy workmanship and considers involving the FAA.

It may be helpful to remember the FAA is neither the police or the courts. It may be worthwhile to realize that if you report your own airplane as having an unairworthy condition … that as Owner… You are the person to be held responsible by FAA … and meanwhile your airplane is likely to be grounded until the FAA finishes reviewing ALL the records and condition of it before releasing it.

I’ve told this story before:… (short version):… Our now deceased former member Bob E. bought a C-175 from an elderly A&P/IA in Ardmore, OK and subsequently found so many (expensive) illegal and fraudulent repairs on it Bob angrily called the A&P/IA and told him he was being reported to FAA/FSDO.
After a week or so the FSDO Inspector called Bob and informed him that the A&P/IA had voluntarily surrendered his certificates.

No money from the A&P/iA was coming to Bob to correct the problems.

Meanwhile,… would Bob kindly bring the maintenance records of the aircraft to FSDO for review?