The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Greetings,

I fly my '52 170b all winter taking aerial photos (www.glsweetnam.com) - it's a great platform with the gear being more forward than a 172 (a Cardinal RG is perfect). But in Spring I think about putting on the wheel pants. A pair of the fiberglass version came with it when I bought it 12 years ago and I put them on for the first time when I flew to Airventure last summer. They are pretty and I got marginally better speed, but I ran into two problems - hard to check the air pressure on the tires and no place to step to clean the windshield. I've seen 172s with a light bit of curved aluminum clamped to the strut and I've seen such sold used for $40-$60 each. I've also seen nice-looking aftermarket/homemade versions using band clamps and a narrow strip of vinyl to protect the strut.

Has anyone made or installed such?

One of the handiest and simplest strut steps I've seen was on a '55 C-170B. It was made with two large worm screw hose clamps, a thin rubber pad, and a piece of VERY coarse sand paper or emery cloth. The rubber and coarse abrasive medium may have been cemented together.

I've been looking for one of these:
It slides over the landing gear leg and you can stand on it. Never did find one for sale, though.

larrysplanes@yahoo.com is the email address of Larry Hansen, who builds these steps. It is a well-made, sturdy step and it works very nicely. I paid $80ea and they are well worth it, will support 250 pounds but not designed for jacking up the plane.

His contact info is:

Larry Hansen
915 Rigler St.
New Hampton, IA 50659
641-394-2823

Thank you, Gentlemen, I knew there was wisdom and experience out there. I was about to fabricate a strap-clamp type for the strut, but I very much like the slip-on step for the gear leg - I won't have to produce an STC for a ramp check.

Happy landings.

I do not recall from where I gleaned the following opinion; possibly from this forum.

It was said that the strut strap-on contrivance commonly referred to as a "step" should be used as a foot "rest" upon which to lean rather than upon which to place one's entire body weight. It was thought unwise to stand near the center of the strut for fear of bending and causing premature failure of same.

It made some sense to me, so I've refrained from the use of strap-ons...

I went ahead and ordered one of those lovely $80 ones from the fellow in Iowa. The one pictured by JRenwick looks like it could be made from a scrap of that tight-laminate Russian plywood. I weigh 170 Lbs and if it works, I'll post again, here, or take a picture of the failure.

I'm happy to be focusing on using the gear leg to support me rather than the strut, too, as that gear leg demonstrates its strength ever time I land (...well, my landings aren't THAT bad.)

Thanks again, all.

Larry Hansen supported our group and donated one of his well-made steps to our Assoc'n for the convention auction (Kelowna) and it rec'd excited bidding. It is very-well done, and Larry is rightfully proud of his work. My only complaint: It is steel and is therefore fairly heavy. (That may seem trivial, but it felt like 5 lbs and I am not willing to carry that much weight for such a product. I'd pay him $100 if he'd make it out of aluminum. I may have to make my own, and will likely use the model which John illustrates.)

jrenwick wrote:I've been looking for one of these:
.

View1.jpg

It slides over the landing gear leg and you can stand on it. Never did find one for sale, though.

I have a manufactured step similar this one that a former member gave me when I bought my airplane. I thought I had posted a picture, but can't find it in the archives. It appears to an anodized aluminum casting with tread cast into the surface for traction, and the slot beveled and lined with cork. I'd be surprised if it weighed much more than a pound. I think I have a picture at home, and will try to remember to post soon

Here's a couple of photos of the manufactured step I have.

Miles, what does that datatag say? "FirstStep, Manchester, WN" ? Unfortunately, Google isn't any help.

gahorn wrote:Miles, what does that datatag say? "FirstStep, Manchester, WN" ? Unfortunately, Google isn't any help.

Actually the name is spelled Firstep. I didn't have any luck with either yahoo or google searches either. I'm guessing from the lack of a zip code and the outdated abbreviation for Wisconsin (I'm assuming), as well as the fact that it was given to me by someone who owned a 170 in mid 1970's that this thing is 35-40 or more years old and the company is long gone. It might be a fun project for someone with a mill and some heavy Al plate...

Miles.....how thick is the plate ?????
Thanks........Jim

Jimmy M. wrote:Miles.....how thick is the plate ?????
Thanks........Jim

Here are some more photos of the thing I saw:

I actually acquired some 7/16" flat aluminum plate a couple years ago to make my own...and plan to have some made up for this year's auction during convention.
Pray for my perseverance. I'm a backslider.