The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I am unhappy to announce after 30 years, I have finally joined the Cessna Diamond Club. I think to many of my friends have got Voo Doo Dolls.I should have never laughed at them. Doug

Welcome to the club, Doug. What took you so long? I've had my 170 for 28 years and I got that rite of passage done early on. Have you experienced the ring of the strut when your forehead hits it at about 3 knots?

If Voo Doo really worked, George would have bled to death years ago...

I think I'd had my 170 for 28 minutes before I got mine. Walked into the aileron at full gate and laid myself out onto my back. It made me want to install split pipe insulation on all trailing edges during storage.

I learned that as a teenager. Still have to practice once in a while to remind me, though.

After more than thirtyfive years flying Cessnas the top of my head looks like a Los Angeles freeway map.

cessna170bdriver wrote:...If Voo Doo really worked, George would have bled to death years ago...

Non-members: Imagine how these guys are if they DON'T like you! (Better join-up!)

Just do what I do: Walk as if you are hunchback if you are within 50 yards of the plane. Of course I still smack into the wing strut

futr_alaskaflyer wrote:Just do what I do: Walk as if you are hunchback if you are within 50 yards of the plane. Of course I still smack into the wing strut

Thats what I have been doing for 30 years, but dam it someone came into the front of the hangar started talking. I was coming around the aircraft from the tail. I lookedto see who it was and my eyes had not adjusted to the light yet. Ding! I never said I never hit my head on the strut just never caught the trailing edge or the diamond. LOL Doug

I was vacuuming out a C140 during my pipeline-patrol days and the airport dog "Aardvark" got underfoot and tripped me into the trailing edge of the flaps. That was in 1972 but I doubt I'm a charter-member.

The only "Double-Member" I know is Richard Pulley:

Not fair, George, that was the same hit not two separate events and the cut on my nose came from my glasses. Knocked me silly for a few seconds. I was behind the wing of the 195 and stood up, turned around, and lunged forward at the same time. Not a good idea but at least the cuts weren't diamonds, the 195 trailing edge is folded. If it had been the sharp edge of the 170 trailing edge it would have required stitches

One of the reasons I wear a cap is to lessen the effects of the diamond. It doesn't always stop a cut, but will help. Early this year when repacking the bearings on Ole Pokey, I was going from the rear of the plane up to the left front axel and discovered, much to my surgrin, that the strut has no give in it. WHAM! Oh it did hurt and I have to wonder how much worse it would have been without the slight padding of my gimmie cap You have to also watch out for those boarding steps. They can render a bunch of pain too.

hilltop170 wrote:Not fair, George, ...

I wasn't trying to be fair. (and it's still TWO HITS!)

Watch this....over 50 years around Cessnas, and never a dimond.....next week I'll probably post a new club member...Of course, the first ten years I couldn't hit my head on the trailing edge if I wanted to......to short.....That may be why Pat Bartone isn't a member (Dad told me to wright that)