The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Was a gust lock made for the C170? I have a 1952 B. Holes are present in the control tubes, apparently made for a gust lock of some sort. Any suggestions where I might purchase one?

A gust lock was available, but it did not make use of holes in the control tubes. The only stock holes in the control tubes are at the ends for attachment to the yoke and control column. The factory gust lock was a device that ran between the rudder pedals and yoke locking the two together (and applying pressure to the brakes) along with an arm that braced itself on the floor.

Sounds as if someone has replaced your original control yokes with something else...or has drilled yours. The simplest control lock is a seatbelt looped thru the yoke and pulled taut, and a seperate bungee or strap for the rudder.

Since finding the beginnings of a bird's nest in an aileron gap, I now use both seatbelts on both yokes to lock elevator and ailerons. If you use just one, you'll very likely have one aileron up and the other down, and the up aileron presents an invitation to birds. With two belts I can keep them both neutral, making it a little harder for the critters.

Best Regards,

John

I have used the seat belt control lock technique, but I am concerned about the tension applied by the seat belt to the control tube. I am concerned the tension will deform the tube. Has anyone experienced this?

Here is what I use for a gust lock. Granted it does nothing for the rudders.

Get a piece of 3/4" ID clear poly hose. Neutralize your elevators (fare) with the horizontal stab. Now measure from the panel to the yoke. I put mine on the right side. Cut the poly tube to the measurement. Now, using care split the tube. Slip the split tube over the control tube. I use a piece of light poly rope to go from the right yoke up to the float planeVee brace through the left yoke and then wrap a couple times around both yokes and a couple half hitches and you have it. It keeps both the elevators and ailerons neutral. If you don't have a Vee brace you may need to "ninja" something forward to tie to keep the elevators neutral.

The poly tube works okay MT and AK, however in warmer areas you may need to find a less pliabale hose or add a hose clamp with a wing nut to keep the tubing from collapsing.

Pulling the yokes back doesn't work if you are using tail covers.

Best.......Buck











Pulling the yokes back are no good if you are using tail covers.

Has anyone used the gust lock pictured in the Univair 170 parts catalog? It's a claw-looking device that neutralizes the rudders and the yoke by wedging itself in place. I can't find it on the Univair website. Not sure if they even still make it.

Some more info on this here: http://www.cessna170.org/phpBB2/viewtop ... =gust+lock

I saw that yesterday in Univair or Wag Aero while I was looking for other things. If I recall correctly, it was around $100, but looked like it would work well and alleviate the other concerns.

Richard, was it in the paper catalog or on the website?

I was looking at paper catalogs for both companies. I can try to find it if you wish. Both of my catalogs are from earlier this year.

Richard-

Is this the part?

-0511142 cessna lock - controls $98.27

No photo on the Univair website and I don't have the paper catalog with me.

That's not the one I saw. I was looking in Aircraft Spruce, page 578. They are made by York and retail for $117.95. My catalog is the 2004-2005 version--not the latest, I'm sure. I did not research the one in Spruce; just happened to see it as I was looking for something else in the Pilot Supplies section.