Belly pod

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ghostflyer
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Belly pod

Post by ghostflyer »

Has anybody fitted a external belly pod to a 170 . They are available for the 180 series .
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rupertjl
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Re: Belly pod

Post by rupertjl »

i was just thinking about this the other day...I was considering the baggage door mod, then i thought about a belly pod. I have not seen a 170 with a pod.
1950 170A: N9191A s/n 19366
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GAHorn
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Re: Belly pod

Post by GAHorn »

rupertjl wrote:i was just thinking about this the other day...I was considering the baggage door mod, then i thought about a belly pod. I have not seen a 170 with a pod.
They used it with a fuel bladder.
They used it with a fuel bladder.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
hilltop170
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Re: Belly pod

Post by hilltop170 »

That belly tank, obviously for fuel only, looks like it is held on with straps, probably a temporary installation for that record flight. Standard Cessna belly pods are permanently attached.

I don't know why a C-180 cargo pod would not fit on a C-170.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
Mapleflt
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Re: Belly pod

Post by Mapleflt »

I did a bit of looking into this idea and came to the conclusion that the empty weight of the pod alone made it's usefulness questionable.

I respectfully suggest that the following three available mods will serve the typical 170 pilot much better. The extended baggage area, baggage door and an baggage area aux fuel tank. These three mods combined bring a lot of "operational" flexibility without a significant weight penalty when not in use. I currently have two of the three; baggage door, extended baggage area and will be installing the baggage aux fuel this winter.

Mapleflt
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ghostflyer
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Re: Belly pod

Post by ghostflyer »

The cessna 170A doesnt really allow the extended baggage area. The extra fuel tank in the cargo area has its issues also but a external pod could work for me . I have the baggage door and its a very good mod .saves my back big time .
Mapleflt
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Re: Belly pod

Post by Mapleflt »

Just do the research, the pod alone is in the 50 lbs range empty and that comes straight off your max allowable weight for every flight not just when its in use. The options I went with might have added 10-15 lbs to the air-frame, I can check the weight report if you'd like some better numbers for your deliberations. Each as its risks and rewards but the one most suitable for the nature of your flying is your call absolutely.

Mapleflt
hilltop170
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Re: Belly pod

Post by hilltop170 »

I would not be surprised if larger tires are required for ground clearance.
You could really overload a 170 with all that extra cargo space.
C185 with belly pod
C185 with belly pod
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
Mapleflt
Posts: 60
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 3:20 pm

Re: Belly pod

Post by Mapleflt »

I stand by my original thought, the empty weight only will negate any benefit on a 170 and as pointed out above only increase the possibility of an overweight issue. A quick look around the various supplier indicates empty pod weights upwards of 50-70 lbs depending on methods and material used in it's construction.

Mapleflt
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n2582d
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Re: Belly pod

Post by n2582d »

Airglas is certifying a pod for the 172.
Both a combination fuel/cargo and all-cargo pod for the Cessna 172 are under certification. Other models and approvals are in design and development.
Might be worth seeing if they could expand that STC to include the 170 series.
Gary
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GAHorn
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Re: Belly pod

Post by GAHorn »

Consideration should be given to belly-mounted antennas that might need to be moved.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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mit
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Re: Belly pod

Post by mit »

gahorn wrote:Consideration should be given to belly-mounted antennas that might need to be moved.

And I have no idea where the extra gross weight is going to come from. :?
Tim
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ghostflyer
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Re: Belly pod

Post by ghostflyer »

It’s not about the weight always. I often fly by myself with 1/2 tanks but have long fishing rods and smelly bait and sometimes fish and the odors stay in the cabin especially when the temperature often exceeding 100 deg F . Sleeping bags and tent doesn’t take up much weight but are very bulky . It would be a good place to throw a couple bottles of oil in there also so if they leak ,the carpet isn’t messed up.
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