The International Cessna^® 170 Association

G'day all,

I am an ag pilot from the land downunder. I am looking at buying a C170a in the near future (just waiting for this drought to break). I found this web site and I must say that it is a credit to you guys. There seems to be an endless supply of knowledge and experience on here and some of the photos have inspired me more to acquire a 170 and you are assured a new member from oz if I do get my machine.

I have a question for those of you in the know. I was reading on another forum that Cessna were in the process of writing a SIDS type inspection for Cessna singles. Some were suggesting it would only affect the 200 series but there was some speculation that all models would eventually be covered. I rang my local CASA (our equivallant to the FAA) guy and he had not heard anything of this but suggested asking one of the owners associations or contacting cessna directly. Personally I can't see there being an issue with anything other than the cantilever wing models but I was hoping someone on here might be able to put my mind at rest.

Thanks in advance

oz502man

This (SIDS) is reverse engineering of the MSG-3 process applied to small aircraft, gone wild. The good thing is our aircraft are too small thus there's no money in it for Cessna so I don't see the manufacturer getting involved. There's no desire from the operators and the FAA probably wouldn't know where to start other than come up with a broad corrosion program. Most of our airplanes have level one corrosion, some may have level two in certain areas (hard to get to areas like inside the fuselage between the gear legs) few have level three unless they have been abandoned. So why would this approach ever be applied to our aircraft unless the regulators had nothing else on the radar.

oz502man,
My curiousity is arroused by your statement that you intend to buy a C-170A. Is there a particular characteristic of the "A" model that interests you? If so, I'd be interested in knowing what it is. In view of the "B" models parts interchangability with other Cessna models, I don't see any particular advantage in an "A" model.

Blueldr is arroused....alert the media... Gee, I thought everybody knew the advantages of the "A" model.....Blazing speed and the ability to slip with "wild abandon." Knot to mention...generally a bit lower in price than a "B"

You're absolutely right, Richard. They really go like dickens because they're lighter since you can't install an extended baggage compartment for the light but bulky camping stuff and a damaged flap (for example) can be found at any salvage yard. They can also be slipped and it works almost as good as a "B" with full flaps.
I'm sure that you can see that I'm a "B" fan, however, I really have nothing at all against the "A:" model. I was just kind of curious why his selection was apparently limited to that model. Seems sort of unusual.

Blueldr

Let me clarify, I don't have a 'thing' for the A model in particular, it's just that an A model has recently come on the market and I have my eye on it. There are only 19 C170's on the Australian register and as such there generally is not an abundance on the market at any one time. There was A C170 advertised about the same time as this one but as I don't have access to hangarage I am not real keen on anything with fabric. The 'A' model I am interested in has good engine and prop times and is reasonably priced. I believe it is mostly all original but in need of a refurb. I am an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer by trade so I can handle most of the work myself therefore ruling out much of the labor costs. I have heard of another one which might be available but from all accounts it is in showroom condition therefore probably out of my price range, also I intend to use it as a runabout for work in hot dusty conditions off sometimes ordinary ag strips so don't really want a showpiece.

RE SIDS,

I am not sure if the sme applies in the US but CASA has brought in the SIDS inspection on all commercially operated twin Cessnas, And I believe they are amending that to include privately operated machines as well.

I really don't know the to what extent the SIDS program will be applied in your country. When you think about it there's really no consensus on how aircraft are maintained anywhere in the world. Different regulating bodies, FAA, CA, MOT, CAA and EASA are trying to work together (or not) to come up with maintenance programs for aging aircraft. The majority of our aircraft are maintained from a "On Condition" perspective because there's no other engineering data collected on them. As I posted earlier I don't see Cessna performing fatigue analysis on Cessna 170 structures to support a systems program, but may come up with a broad corrosion prevention and control program (CPC) for single aircraft. The majority of single Cessna aircraft types considered as a fleet do not have a uniform usage rate and are not in commercial service so how do you collect data to drive the inspections? In other words I think it would be a stretch to take a program devised for commercial operators and apply it to private aircraft. Hope it never happens.

C170b53:

Thanks for your reply,

I guess I was just hoping that if there was any talk of this actually happening that you guys would probably know before the news got to us. CASA seem to have a habit of over-reacting with this sort of thing and not too much common sense goes into there decisions on general aviation. I don't want to buy an aeroplane just to be told I can't fly it until I spend a fortune on making it comply with an overly complicated inspection program. I agree with you that it is unlikely to have this type of program apply to light single engine privately operated aircraft.

Thanks again