Weight and Balance
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
Mr. Walker,
You are so right. With the number of fasteners we are dealing with, one cannot expect to save much more than 2 or 3 pounds max. It is not so much the number of fasteners, but more the attention to detail. There are many "Improved" materials out there now which may (Please note the MAY) be substituted for the old materials used when our favorite aircraft was built. One example which I plan to install next is the Garmin SL40 com system which weighs less than half the KX170B it will replace plus the SL40 includes a built-in intercom which will allow removal of the existing intercom. Recently installed an AT155 transponder which weighs less than the AT50 and was a simple slide in. Also swapped the Bendix mags for Slicks which are lighter and simpler. Consider the tires: a 4 ply tire which is allowed is lighter (and more expensive) than the more common 6 ply tires. Worse yet, the old AN type gyro installed on many 170s is much heavier than the newer gyros, but you gotta give up on originality. Same may be said for installing an alternator....better output, more reliable and lighter in weight. And it appears the Odssey battery will be a jewel.
On the other side of the coin..Do we really need to add a STOL kit?? In my operations the gains will not justify the added weight/cost. I could go on, but everybody is bored by now so I will sign off.
And before Joe jumps all over me
, I worked as a Weight & Balance engineer, specializing in weight reduction, at the Big B airplane factory for ten years and I ain't selling nothing. Just my 1.5 cents worth.
You are so right. With the number of fasteners we are dealing with, one cannot expect to save much more than 2 or 3 pounds max. It is not so much the number of fasteners, but more the attention to detail. There are many "Improved" materials out there now which may (Please note the MAY) be substituted for the old materials used when our favorite aircraft was built. One example which I plan to install next is the Garmin SL40 com system which weighs less than half the KX170B it will replace plus the SL40 includes a built-in intercom which will allow removal of the existing intercom. Recently installed an AT155 transponder which weighs less than the AT50 and was a simple slide in. Also swapped the Bendix mags for Slicks which are lighter and simpler. Consider the tires: a 4 ply tire which is allowed is lighter (and more expensive) than the more common 6 ply tires. Worse yet, the old AN type gyro installed on many 170s is much heavier than the newer gyros, but you gotta give up on originality. Same may be said for installing an alternator....better output, more reliable and lighter in weight. And it appears the Odssey battery will be a jewel.
On the other side of the coin..Do we really need to add a STOL kit?? In my operations the gains will not justify the added weight/cost. I could go on, but everybody is bored by now so I will sign off.
And before Joe jumps all over me
, I worked as a Weight & Balance engineer, specializing in weight reduction, at the Big B airplane factory for ten years and I ain't selling nothing. Just my 1.5 cents worth.
HEY, I resemble That!N170CT wrote:Mr. Walker,
And before Joe jumps all over me
Need to ask a BIG favor N170CT. Some of the ladies that work in this building could make good use of a Weight & Balance engineer, specializing in weight reduction. Some of them on the floors above are 3 & 4 hundred pounders, maybe more! Could I give them your number?
Joe
51 C170A
Grand Prairie, TX
51 C170A
Grand Prairie, TX
