The International Cessna^® 170 Association

i am considering buying a cessna 170 but i need to transport it does any one know how hard it is to get the wings off or the proper way to transport a 170a i think the wingspan is too wide for a trailer. if this is a ridculus question then i appoligies i'm new to flying and i want to get into it with my eyes open

thanx pete

Pete,
first question is from where to where, and how far. It's kinda a complex question to ask on the forums but it can be done. I have used a car trailers and straight jobs ( trucks ) for cross country. as far as too wide removing the elevators knocks quite abit off the width. Best bet is to call a aviation maint shop that moves airplanes for advice, If you want I can give you a number for someone who could offer some, just PM me.
I'm also sure there a few chaps here that have transported planes from time to time.
Oh and yes the wings have to come off, and not hard to do if you have qualified help.

thanx for the advice i might be able to get a deal on the plane but i have to learn how to fly before i can utilize the free air. thanx again happy flying pete

If the airplane is flyable, it might be cheaper (and better for the airplane) to find someone to fly it home for you. You could ride along and start learning about flying. Just a thought.

Give us a clue.. where are you trying to ship it? Out of the country by container or just moving it across the US? Unless you are sending it overseas, flying it is the way to to go. You might be surprised how cheaply some of the old guys who inhabit this board might able to do this for or with you. Some even have the ability to fly in addition to having a license.

Buy yourself some purple boots and rent a U-haul. http://cessna170.org/forums/viewtopic.p ... aul#p45133

If you cannot afford a U-Haul and have access to a car hauler and some 2x10s try this!!!

The salt bags are for ballast. Be sure and secure the doors!

Last, and only time, I ever needed to 'haul' an airplane on the road, we just simply installed a modified - jury-rigged - extension into the tail wheel slot, welded on a trailer hitch, and towed it like a two wheeled trailer. That was for my first airplane - an old Champ - that I rebuilt in the driveway.

If memory serves, the horizontal stabilizeris also too wide and must be removed without a wide load permit.

blueldr wrote:If memory serves, the horizontal stabilizeris also too wide and must be removed without a wide load permit.

Well I don't know, (maybe I was breaking the law), but I moved a 170 from MI. to IL., Had to build an angle iron support to fit into the pockets of the trailer we used (which I still have and fits many "pocket" sided trailers), the wheel base was wider than the trailer, (8 foot) but the hor. stab. wasn't any wider.( put the tail forward) put the wings under the belly, engine and flying surfaces in the truck, and we were on our way ...... Would like to send some pic's.....but I'm having trouble with that.......George is trying to straighten me out on that.......if it happens I'll send pic's....

Just paint the outboard portions of the horizontal with flat black We've hauled them from all over; CA and east Long Island. Pick your route carefully up in that country. We lost a vertical to an ancient rock viaduct. When they say "Truck Route", they don't just mean tractor/trailers, they mean pickups too. Went through a check station in NM a couple years back, the guy waved us on through while ducking his head as the stabalizer passed by. I think most officers just think it's really cool to see an airplane, and must think your "official" somehow. Use this info at your own risk

wingnut wrote:Just paint the outboard portions of the horizontal with flat black We've hauled them from all over; CA and east Long Island. Pick your route carefully up in that country. We lost a vertical to an ancient rock viaduct. When they say "Truck Route", they don't just mean tractor/trailers, they mean pickups too. Went through a check station in NM a couple years back, the guy waved us on through while ducking his head as the stabalizer passed by. I think most officers just think it's really cool to see an airplane, and must think your "official" somehow. Use this info at your own risk

It was difficult to imagine without going out to the hangar and measuring.... but even if you remove the elevators....the horiz. stab. is a few thou' over 9 1/2 feet wide!
With the elevators on it, it's about 10.5' wide.

I imagine Del is right (like the other things he posts about)... police are more interested if the operator (you) appear to be causing a hazard than if they actully meet the letter-of-the-law. (Who likes to do paperwork?)
The problem would likely be if an accident occurred, and who would be blamed. I'd remove the elevators, tie bright orange/red streamers to the outboard ends of the horiz. stabs., put a sign on the back that said "Wide" and be careful. At least it would look better at the trial than if you tried to sneak it.

Another way to transport is by air. N3485C flew for repairs from Chandlar Lake to Fairbanks, AK, in the back of a SC-7 Sky Van.

OK. That one definitely wins the prize!

Green Bean, you must know Keith F. at Anderson Lake.