Copyright 2023 Backcountry Pilot. Robertson STOL Kits GAMIjectors | 300 HP Super Skylane | Robertson STOL Kits | Instruments | Vortex Generators | Cessna 421/414 Winglets | Long Range Tanks | Turbo Carger Modifications R/STOL Hi-Lift Systems work full time at short, back-country airstrips or at the busiest metropolitan airports. Peterson says he's having a lot of fun because he believes in his product and is confident that the 260SE is a very safe airplane. Most (if not all) Cessna aircraft are known as solid, proven airframes. British fighter planes of WW2 were responsible for inflicting the first German defeat of the war, buying the Allies enough time to regroup and launch the vital Normandy offensive leading to The Axis surrender. Adding redundancy is another way to increase safety and reliability. In the past, 182 owners could only wistfully watch as their neighbors went down to the lake for their flying. lakes. Kits are available with a camber lift wing that is a favorite of bush pilots and floatplane pilots. Simple solution. Also no change reported from the 2 customer 180 floatplanes I did several years ago. I have enjoyed your videos and I am considering the sportsman STOL for my 182. Major rebuild from just a data plate? Huge fan of your YouTube page, Keep up the awesome videos! But they both said it is possible that the vgs may need to be slightly further back from the leading edge on the later models of Cessna's that had a factory leading edge cuff but no stol kit. "We do a lot of low level tracking of radio tagged animals and fish. In general, the readings won't vary much within a 10 degree variance in alignment. 17. High-mounted wings: A good bush plane requirement is wings mounted on the fuselage roof. I am getting better at hitting the numbers on landing, but I am interested in just getting as much good performance from this plane as possible without going overboard or adding non-essential gew-gaws akin to wearing copper bracelets for my health. Over the years, Cessna made dozens of model improvements including the Garmin G1000 flat-panel displayintroduced on the 2006 182T model. To find out, we installed Micro AeroDynamics VGs on a 1966 Cessna 182J that had been modified with a Bush STOL kit-a cuffed wing leading edge and stall fences. ). AOPA members considering this should realize that there are some struggles with going the auto fuel route, including the need for using leaded avgas during certain operations; the hassle, liability, and danger of transporting, handling, and loading auto fuel; the restrictions some airports impose on auto fuel users; and the limitations of the fuel. Some of these STCs are dormant especially the older ones. We offer full parts, service, installation kits and support for the following Cessna aircraft models: Series 10 and 12: 150 / 152 172 180 / 182 185 Series 12 / 13 / 15 and 79: 206 / 207 / T207 210 / T210 / P210 Please download our PDF brochure for detailed performance and design information. Total: 1325'. Charlie Siebel, a retired Cessna engineer, developed the Flight Bonus kit that is now sold by Horton STOLcraft in Wellington, Kansas. Delete cookies, By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies. It is commonly referred to as the sports utility of the air due to the rugged and beefy undercarriage capable of absorbing impacts from rocky and uneven runways. Fit and position nose blocks using top surface contour templates (contour templates are only available for early model kits, pre-1973 model Cessna's, all late models do not require the use of the contour template). According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it was the highest landing of a fixed-wing aircraft. The de Havilland Beaver is an iconic Canadian bush plane that has been in service since 1947, and it is widely regarded as a 20th-century Canadian aviation engineering marvel. 25% on wheels, the Cessna 185 by 35% and the Cessna 206 by 30-35%. Feel free to come and land anytime. For me this is a must and the first mod to do. Just upgraded to a Pponk conversion which last week,has 45 more HP, currently I am in the break in process. Have you ever seen or talked to the pilot of a Peterson modded 182? The DHC-6 Twin Otter bears de Havilland Canadas hallmark of rugged reliability and longevity. In order to provide you with the best online experience this website uses cookies. Both Monarch Air and Development, of Oakland, Oregon, and Cessna offer umbrella-style fuel caps. R/STOL Ground roll: 430' Distance to clear 50': 815'. As I monitored the prop rpm with a tach checker, Bicknell flew a full-throttle, maximum-rpm speed run at 1,500 feet msl over Winter Haven, Florida. I have a set of Madras Super tips and planning to sell them and install some Stene tips. But it can be made better by the installation of permanently installed drooped wing leading edges and stall fences. Brand new Airglass fork with STC. Learn how your comment data is processed. STOL Kit? The company ended production of the DHC-6 Otter in 1988. Aircraft with large low-pressure tires are suitable for landing on rough terrains like the Tundra or gravel runways. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2022 MEDIA STEW LLC, Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. Planes like the 182 are designed for efficient cruising balanced by reasonable field performance compared to dedicated STOL machines like the Beaver and Super Cub that are slow no matter what you do to them. Both the Experimental Aircraft Association and Petersen Aviation in Minden, Nebraska, sell auto fuel STCs for $1 per horsepower. Please select all the ways you would like to hear from AVIATION GROUP LTD: You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. Peterson's Performance Plus, of El Dorado, Kansas, has an STC to install the ultradependable 260-hp fuel-injected IO-470 engine (see " Peterson's 260SE is a Different Breed of 182"). Is so, did you notice an improvement once you got the VGs? "With a stall speed of 35 knots and a cruise of 150 to 153 knots, the 182's flight envelope has been expanded by 10 to 15 knots on both the top and low ends," says Moore. by CamAero Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:57 am, Post The bush planes impressive STOL performance alongside its exceptional amphibious capabilities, high climb rate, and the phenomenal pulling power of its twin turboprop engines warranted a comeback. The Airplane of the Week this week is the. Really like your videos! SAVE Last Update: 12/17/2020. by Colonel Sanders Wed Nov 21, 2012 6:29 am, Post Thanks for the info. William I think the Peterson 182 should perform better than my airplane, they can fly at a flatter angle than mine, I have talked to a pilot who owns one but he never does backcountry flying with it so we could not compare, Having said that , I have seen Todd Peterson videos of the backcountry and we approach at the same speeds to the same strips, mine is even slower some times, I try to keep it very light weight. Both of these kits are effective, relatively easy to install, and inexpensive. Love the engine, lots of power and very smooth, I gained 25mph in cruise, 500fpm in climb, and take offs are a lot shorter now. It can fly five passengers and their luggage to remote bush lodges making the aircraft one of the most popular bush planes among companies operating bush charter flights for Safari tourists in Kenya, Namibia, and Botswana. Yes Nate, larger fork , I have the heavy duty fork for the 182, with a 7.006 tire. Pretty much all STOL mods are going to result in you losing airspeed. This highly recommend this upgrade to all pilots who fly legacy airplanes. Since then, they have become an indispensable general aviation aircraft providing an all-season lifeline to communities in the Australian Outback, the African savanna, Northern Canada, Alaskan Tundra, Amazon rainforest, and New Zealand mountains. Cessna 150: More Than the Worlds Premiere Trainer. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. It contains helpful information for individuals interested in becoming bush pilots and those just curious about bush planes. A bush plane can be equipped with floats to land on rivers, lakes, or beaches. So we created this website where students, seasoned pilots, and everyone in-between can share their experiences with aviation in an easy to read, beautiful way. I agree with the previous posts about cruise speed changes. The Helios Courier may be a relatively obscure aircraft compared to the more popular Cessna 208 or the de Havilland Canada bush planes. The 182 without modifications is a pretty good STOL airplane. The Horton STOL kit was also mentioned by Cessna pilots. by CamAero Mon Nov 19, 2012 6:33 pm, Post Bush planes are designed and built to meet specific requirements. Bush planes fitted with skis are a common sight in isolated Alaska and Arctic communities during winter. Not only for landing, also for manuvering, all around its an added safety. This is not every time. Added new article from Ravi Fry Cessna also makes purpose-built freighter variants known as the 208B Cargomaster operated by FedEx. After having flown the Horton and the Robertson, I believe sportsmen plus VG's, or even just the sportsman, is probably the best setup for a 182. As I look at upgrading incrementally, I have begun looking at vortex generators and STOL kits. Also reduces the stall speed, making it safer , and allowing slower approach speeds. Vortex generators by Micro Aerodynamics Inc., of Anacortes, Washington, have been recently STCed for the 182. The camber lift had almost the exact same profile as the Horton STOL leading edge cuff, so it's really not a dramatic difference. The aircraft features a taildragger undercarriage design that is an essential element for successful bush planes. Engine & Propeller Upgrades for your Cessna 180, 182, 205, 206, 207, 210. This forum has been developed to discuss Bush Flying & Specialty Air Service topics. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. Many pilots have learned to fly on a Cub, but even more are eager to get their taildragger certificate to really start working on their stick and rudder coordination thats so critical when flying a taildragger aircraft. Horton, Inc. is in the flap gap business, too and will sell you a set for $220. Currently, the aircraft is manufactured by Viking Air which bought Twin Otters type certificate and sells the plane as the Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter. Information in this study will help 182 pilots better understand their airplanes. This kit consists of a drooped wing leading edge, stall fences, and changes to the aileron control system that cause the ailerons to droop as the flaps extend, to further add lift at low speeds. So. by 182-SS Mon Nov 19, 2012 2:52 pm, Post I have yet to hear of them particularly other than the hassle of install and the risk of knocking them off when sweeping the wings. Tubes in the box for the tires. They are mainly responsible for the survival of the modern-day frontier lifestyle by delivering essential supplies, food, medicine, mail, and equipment to people inhabiting remote, hard-to-reach areas. As Steve has mentioned, I should practice landings until I can hit 630' at full gross, but then the question of landing speed comes in. The first 182 was sold at an average equipped price of $17,700. by MUSICMAAN Sat Nov 17, 2012 10:40 pm, Post If you need more fuel capacity, then Monarch; Flint Aero, of El Cajon, California; and O&N Aircraft, of Factoryville, Pennsylvania, sell kits that can increase the fuel system capacity. Prior to the install it would do 145-148mph at 23 squares at 4000'. Drag-reduction kits enable Cessna 182 owners to get the benefits of a faster airplane without purchasing a new airplane or incurring retractable-gear insurance premiums. No sinking, no floating, no guessing Vx Vy Vg. Today, there's a solution. Precise Flight of Bend, Oregon, has a low-cost STCed system that allows the pilot to open a valve, thus connecting the airplane's instrument vacuum system to the low-pressure air in the engine intake manifold should the primary vacuum pump fail. These tanks are permanent and will never have a wrinkle that hides water. Its an awesome improvement to the airplane. Based on my six years of experience as a tech rep for the Cessna Pilots Association, there are three things Cessna 182 owners are most interested in. Over the years, the G-21 has undergone several modifications to its engines, avionics, windows, and landing gear to adapt the airplane for its new role as a bush plane. by 182-SS Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:25 am, Post There is a Bushmaster option that features oversized landing gear tires and heavy-duty brakes. Get extra lift from AOPA. There are 577 STCs for the 182 currently in the FAA's registry. You can add a couple of skis if you need to land on a glacier. Currently working as a Line Service Technician at the Provo Airport, Corey has plans to continue working in the field of aviation, with an eye on learning to fly anything he can. It includes details on their firepower, dynamic handling, airspeed, advanced electronics, and gadgetry. THose videos are awesome, I have a 182Q and have been steadily lightening and have a few of the same mods you have, most notable the VGs and the BAS aero belts. This design reduces undercarriage landing damage, drag, and airframe stress while increasing speed and payload capacity. Wordy, yet no information related to the STOL capabilities. Bush planes in this category include bush plane manufacturers such as Aeroporto and Pilatus and popular airplane manufacturers like Piper, Cessna, and Cirrus. Installation of the aluminum reinforcement straps is mandatory on all aircraft models equipped with WING-X STOL kits except the Cessna 206. There seems to be a pretty convincing majority that consider vortex generators to be worth the investment. I just checked ground speed by averaging and into the wind run then a downwind run. It has impressive STOL capabilities as the DHC-2 Beaver, making it a popular bush plane with military and civil defense operators. Do you Need a Pilots License to Fly an Ultralight? Did you ever fly your plane with Horton STOL before it had VGs? Bush planes operating regular commercial passenger flights typically have seats for more than ten passengers with room for their luggage. Combine your new WING-X STOL kit with Monarch auxilliary fuel cells, approved on most single engine Cessna aircraft. The manufacturer produces the aircraft but delivers it to the buyer in a kit package instead of a ready-to-fly unit. Flap gap seals are one of the more cost- effective mods for the 182. . In this article, we list 18 types of airplanes and what makes them unique! Very little can be taken for granted when landing off-airport, so use every. The Sportsman STOL kit was installed on Fish and Game's 1979 Cessna 185. No I would not change the place where I put my HUD, it is perfect, doesnt block anything and easy to see. Stock O 470 R Continental in all my videos. This category is experimental because the build process is handled by a third party, not the manufacturer. It gives me a peace of mind that I never had before with the Cessna gauges. Aircraft built in 1977 and later require 100-octane avgas because of an increase in compression ratio and aren't eligible for auto fuel STCs. What air speed does yours start to blow? C180, Maule are great airplanes and we use the heck out of them up here, but we are operating closer to standard conditions (cool temps and/or near sea level.) A Day in the Life of a Pilot What is it Like? Ive just talked to a couple of pilots who said they didnt receive any benefit from them and one who said he lost 2 knots of airspeed. I know that I would surely appreciate an article on this subject Scott. Nate. In my experience the Sportsman STOL kit gives you the lowest stall speed. These small devices also improve the 182's slow-speed handling, which is truck-like. In this video, we're flying again with Paul Duffy who has completed his private, upgraded to a Cessna 182, is looking for a recurrency flight, and is continu. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. On my 56 182 I did not notice much difference after the Sportsman install. Kevin Moore, AOPA 968424, shopped around for a new airplane before he finally bought a highly modified Cessna 182. It flies great and stalls at 38mph indicated. Any of these devices that aid control of the airplane at low airspeeds also contributes to survivability in the event of an off-airport landing. Read More CESSNA 182 Aircraft For Sale 1 - 25 of 126 Listings High/Low/Average Sort By: Show Closest First: I am addicted to back country/off airport flying. Use AvCanada's information at your own risk! More horsepower will increase your airplane's climb performance, but claims for quantum increases in cruise speeds should be viewed with a grain of salt. by CamAero Sat Nov 17, 2012 3:10 pm, Post I havent ever had the opportunity to fly a standard 182 I have, however, had the awesome chance to fly a. I have always loved the Cessna 182 Skylane as it represents General Aviation in a very timeless and classic way. Contact information for companies mentioned in this article are listed below: Experimental Aircraft Association Inc. EAA Aviation Center 3000 Poberezny Road Oshkosh, Wisconsin Telephone 920/426-4800 Fax 920/426-4873 Web www.eaa.org, Petersen Aviation Inc. 984 K Road Minden, Nebraska 68959 Telephone 308/832-2050 Fax 308/832-2311 Web www.webworksltd.com, B&C Specialty Products Inc. Post Office Box B Newton, Kansas 67114 Telephone 316/283-8000, Aero Safe Corp. 2109 East Highway 377 Granbury, Texas 76049 Telephone 800/433-5689 Fax 817/579-9666 Web www.aerosafe.net, Airborne Air and Fuel Products 711 Taylor Street Elyria, Ohio 44037 Telephone 800/382-8422 Fax 440/937-5409 Web www.parker.com, Precise Flight Inc. 63120 Powell Butte Road Bend, Oregon 97701 Telephone 800/547-2558 Fax 541/388-1105 Web www.preciseflight.com, Horton STOLcraft Wellington Municipal Airport 421 Northwest Road Wellington, KS 67152 Telephone 800/835-2051 or 316/326-2241 Fax 316/326-2244, Knots 2 U Ltd. 703 Airport Road Burlington, Wisconsin 53105 Telephone 262/763-5100 Fax 262/763-5125 Web www.knots2u.com, Maple Leaf Aviation Inc. Group 520, Box 16, R.R. The Cessna 185 Skywagon bush plane is everything you expect from a Cessna, an aircraft manufacturer renowned for making excellent bush planes. Yama I did fly my 182 with the Horton before and after VGs, you can tell the difference if you slow it down, at landing you get more elevator authority at slower speeds, I used to ran out of elevator at the flare, and VGs helped, also they help with aileron authority at low speeds, much better and not mushy. The FAA Web page offers some options that may help those who seek information on dormant STCs. Seaplanes West, of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, has an STC to install Aerocet 3500L floats on 1962 through 1986 models. The DHC-2T Turbo Beaver is a more powerful variant equipped with a 680hp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 turboprop engine for better performance and payload hauling (2,450Ib) capacity. Compare. . I love this! Another airplane, I could do 50 mph approaches no problem the very first day I tested it, very stable, very good control at slow speeds, no more running out of elevator when coming real slow for landings. In a Cessna 182 its loosing this amount of weight does make a difference in the elevator forces Because of its light weight there is a quicker throttle response, great for windy landings, backcountry operations, short fields. Bringing back a zombie thread. Robertson R/STOL parts are back in manufacturing again! I recommend you the Pponk upgrade, same cost as aO470 Reman and more power and longer TBO. How do you think your Sportsman STOL and Micro VGs compare with the Peterson front canard? Mostly interested in the combination and how this may affect any posted numbers. Durability, contrary of what many pilots think, its is very durable, I have had mine for more than 1,000hrs operating in the backcountry and its still in pretty good shape. My A&P has a couple of 172's and an XP. Commercially produced bush planes: also referred to as ultralights, these are factory-built airplanes specifically produced to fall within a specific speed and weight segment. My stall horn goes off too soon in my opinion. I believe the best STOL kit is the Sportsman STOL which includes gap seals, a drooped leading edge cuff and wing tips. The Cessna Pilots Association in Santa Maria, California (800/343-6416 or www.cessna.org), is recognized for its expertise on behalf of its members. I installed the Sportsman on my 170 several years ago and on my 180 a couple of years ago. These backup systems ease the "what if" concerns if time is spent flying actual IFR. For those who do not know -- the difference between a King Katmai and a Kenai is whether or not the plane includes the Wing-X STOL wing extensions, which add about 3' to the wingspan. A word of warning, though, before you get too excited about some of the more exotic and lesser-known STCs that you will find on this Web site. The orange looks sharp! Upgross to 2950lbs, 25% reduced takeoff run on floats, easy install. Is There Such a Thing As a Pilot Personality? R/STOL Ground roll: 405'. During a calm morning last spring, Dick Bicknell and I flew his Flight Bonus-equipped 1980 Cessna 182Q to determine the airplane's maximum speed. do you have 8.50 x 6 or the 8.510 on the mains? The concept for the Cessna 180 came about as an evolution of the Cessna 170. I was always surprised at how inaccurate were the fuel gauges in most GA airplanes, I had the visual measurment with the stick and the fuel totalizer, it worked, but still the gauges always read whatever they wanted to read. Since the fuel gauges in Cessnas can be inaccurate, installation of a fuel flow/totalizer instrument will ensure that you have an accurate fuel accounting. Instead of a opting to purchase a good 182 airframe and adding mods one by one until the airplane had the speed kit, STOL kit, and engine he wanted, Moore bought a 260SE/STOL aircraft from Todd Peterson's Performance Plus Inc., in El Dorado, Kansas. My current wish list also . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I have a 205A with io-470. CubCrafters was born. Taildragger landing gear: a typical bush plane lacks a nosewheel. After starting out as a business only rebuilding and modifying existing Cubs, the company later moved to building and certifying its own aircraft. More 182s have been pushed out the doors at the Cessna factory in Wichita than any other general aviation airplane except two the Cessna 172 and the Cessna 150. WingX extensions kit # R1582-1. Original color was orange and white, old 1970s scheme. so it looks like VG's are where its at for some extra performance and affordability. However it lost approximately 7-10mph in cruise. by GreenStar Sat Nov 17, 2012 3:57 pm, Post This part of the kit was so successful, Cessna added this cuff starting in 1972 with the 182P model up and through today with the 182T. Obtaining a partner in the airplane is one way. Is that speed airspeed, based on your pitot system? In the northern reaches of Minnesota, where bush flying is as tough as Alaska minus the mountains, A bush pilot's memoir of his adventures in the late 1960's and early 70's detail a career, An opportunity seized to try what many would call the ultimate 2-seat bushplane: the Aviat Husky A-1C, 1.14.2014 - Initial article format In the second part of this series, we cover operations on skis, and the unique challenges. For a look at all the current STCs, visit the FAA's Web site ( http://av-info.faa.gov/stc/). What are the negatives on the VGs? Im no where near your level but Im starting to get the feal for it. John Jewell Aircraft offers a 27 hp upgrade for Cessna 182 aircraft that, in my opinion,is one of the best-priced performers for the money. This article describes the 11 best bush planes of all time, the different bush planes, and why they are great aircraft. Siebel, now deceased, advertised that his kit would increase the cruise speed of 1962 through 1982 airplanes from 12 to 18 knots, depending on the year model. Early Cessna 180/182 Sportsman STOL cruise speed changes I just finished installing the Sportsman on a 182A. Certified for: Cessna 150, 152, 172, 175, 182, 205, 206, 207 Related Items Wheee! Your plane looks great, and videos are inspiring. The aircraft also has tail handles (B.A.S., Inc.) which slide out of the fuselage, making it easier to move the plane around. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website. Same here, no change in cruise after sportsman. I made oil changes every 50 hrs. New in the box. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. Added safety with a power off stall speed of 40mph, much shorter take offs and landings, better glide, and a lot more fun to fly. Some of the later 182s already have a bit of a cuff built-in. I sent my engine to PPonk to get an upgraded more powerful engine, when Stve m the owner of the shop , saw the insides of my engine he told me it was of the best he has ever seen, cylinders still had the honing, and I was able to sell them for $1,500 to someone who wanted to overhaul them.