New owner

[KG]

Well friends, after years of dreaming, procrastinating, a few false starts, periods of disillusionment, and one time coming very close to a purchase from a friend of ours in MA (but then getting a serious case of cold feet due to some job security issues)....... I have finally bought a 170!

I am now the proud caretaker of serial number 25431, N14WV, nee 3189B, soon to be N170AK (since the seller wants his personal N number back and the original number is no longer available). She is a 1953 B model with a recently refurbished panel.

She is currently in a friend's hangar in West Virginia. The weather forecast is looking promising for me to go get her and bring her back to Georgia sometime next week. I have plans to fly to Alaska sometime in late May or early June so I've got a busy couple of months ahead of me to get ready.

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions as my education continues. I'll go ahead and apologize for the dumb questions that are sure to follow.

The benefits of my membership in the TIC170A have been invaluable as I searched for an airplane. Even with a few spats on this website and the occasional didactic comments (had to throw that in.... ), I have enjoyed learning about the 170. Couldn't have done it without all of you and your seemingly limitless knowledge.

Keith

Here she is:

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[GAHorn]

Congratulations! It's a C170B and not a single speck of green paint on it!

[KG]

Haha.. thanks George. I hate to tell you but I actually prefer green. But red she is so I'm learning to like it. K

[Brad Brady]

Keith,
Nice looking, clean panel.....make sure you have fun with her.....Brad

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Welcome and congratulations.

Interesting rudder paint. At a quick glance I thought it was a 180. Wonder if that is the effect they were after?

[KG]

Thanks guys.

Yes, I scratched my head when I saw that black rudder too. The paint scheme isn't what I would have chosen. If I ever have it repainted I will probably go with something else. But the paint is in pretty good shape. There is a little fading on the top, maybe because in that area the red has been more exposed to the sun, but it won't need painting for a while.

It does have one of those cockeyed control wheels and I'm way too symmetrical of a guy to leave it that way for long. The mechanic that did the annual / pre-buy for me said that it would take him a while to get in there and see what the problem is so we put it off for now.

[Joe Moilanen]

Congrats!!!

I've got serial #25462, 31 airplanes after yours. It's the first airplane I've owned. This coming Monday, I'll have owned it 20 years. It may be my last airplane! Best investment I ever made. A lot of women have came and went (some because of the airplane) but 4518C is always happy to see me, no matter what time I arrive. Best friend I've got alongside my dog. Start creating memories...

Joe

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[Brad Brady]

Thanks guys.
It does have one of those cockeyed control wheels and I'm way too symmetrical of a guy to leave it that way for long. The mechanic that did the annual / pre-buy for me said that it would take him a while to get in there and see what the problem is so we put it off for now.]

Yea fixing the control yokes isn't a big deal....Just make sure you have the correct cable tensions after fixing the yoke.....Brad

[hilltop170]

Congratulations Keith!

Let me know if I can help on the Alaska trip planning.

[KG]

Thanks everybody for the kind words.

Richard, funny you should mention trip planning. I'm out on an airline trip and the guy I'm flying with asked me about my route to Alaska. I told him I hadn't firmed things up yet but I have a friend who has done it a few times and I just might be making a trip to Texas to buy him one of those Texas bar-b-que dinners, which we would enjoy while reviewing sectional charts!

Will you be in Texas in another month or so? I need to get some time in the airplane anyway. A little crosscountry trip to Texas might be just what I need.

Keith

[DaveF]

She's a beauty, Keith. Now where was that airplane when I was shopping last year??

Dave

[cessna170bdriver]

Nice airplane, Keith!

All, here are some more photos. (May not be there much longer). http://www.steveweaver.com/n14wv.htm

Miles

[AR Dave]

Now there are a whole lot of ways you could plan this trip back to Alaska. If you're going in early June, I'd recommend going to the Convention June 21'st if possible. Take all your paperwork, books, and a pen & paper. The members at the Convention will be more than happy to give your plane a complete inspection nose to tail. They'll tell you about every mod (legal or illegal), what you need to change or add, and the complete history of your plane. They love fresh meat (metal). There are even little things, like "Hey Dave measure those brake lines and I'll send you a new set". They love seeing these planes restored to top condition.

Now if you're going to fly around the Lower 48, and your going west from Georgia. We might plan your layovers. Like Petit Jean, Gastons, my house, and other places in Arkansas. Texas? - I don't know about those folks! But when you decide your basic flight path, let us know, you'll get plenty of suggestions.

[blueldr]

That looks like a very nice, well equipped airplane at a fair pice. I'm sure you'll get a lot of enjoyment from it.

[futr_alaskaflyer]

Now there are a whole lot of ways you could plan this trip back to Alaska. If you're going in early June, I'd recommend going to the Convention June 21'st if possible. Take all your paperwork, books, and a pen & paper. The members at the Convention will be more than happy to give your plane a complete inspection nose to tail. They'll tell you about every mod (legal or illegal), what you need to change or add, and the complete history of your plane. They love fresh meat (metal). There are even little things, like "Hey Dave measure those brake lines and I'll send you a new set". They love seeing these planes restored to top condition.

Gee, if I knew that service was available I would have flown to a convention when I first purchased my 170!

Then again, I would hate to be responsible for those with weak constitutions when they first viewed the Franklin engine conversion

KG, the easiest part of planning your flight will be the legs north of the Canadian border. It's where you want to go in the lower 48 that will present complexity!