The International Cessna 170 Association

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:

hilltop170 wrote:3" tubing would be great but even 2" using the header above the rudders is plenty adequate. The cabin stays comfortable down to about zero, that's as cold as I have flown the 170 since the conversion, and mine has 2".

Some how cabin heat advice from a guy flying in Texas doesn't have the same weight as advice from a guy flying in Minnesota. Of couse if your running those shinny winterszation plates, at least the other guys in Texas might listen closer.

Don't forget that Richard also flies in Alaska...

That's right, my 170 hasn't seen anything much below freezing since 2007 when Ina and I flew it down from Alaska to the Galveston Convention in July.

I flew it for a year in Alaska after the engine overhaul and installation of the modified 2" C-180 heater. Zero° F was the coldest I flew it in Alaska and it kept the cabin fairly warm and comfortable. I wore winter clothes for survival purposes. Winter flying in Alaska is some of the best flying there is and a good heater sure makes it enjoyable.

cessna170bdriver wrote:

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:

hilltop170 wrote:3" tubing would be great but even 2" using the header above the rudders is plenty adequate. The cabin stays comfortable down to about zero, that's as cold as I have flown the 170 since the conversion, and mine has 2".

Some how cabin heat advice from a guy flying in Texas doesn't have the same weight as advice from a guy flying in Minnesota. Of couse if your running those shinny winterszation plates, at least the other guys in Texas might listen closer.

Don't forget that Richard also flies in Alaska...

In his Cessna 180

I think Richard might be qualified to comment on cabin heat. I think his comment about the cabin staying comfortable "down to zero"... doesn't make any difference if the "zero" is in Texas or Alaska.

I don't know George, I think I get colder in Texas than I do in Alaska with this wet clammy cold we have down here that I never dress properly for. At least in Alaska you know it's going to be cold all day and you wear the right clothes.

It was like that in the hill country yesterday so I built a fire to stay warm.

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote:

cessna170bdriver wrote:

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote: Some how cabin heat advice from a guy flying in Texas doesn't have the same weight as advice from a guy flying in Minnesota. Of couse if your running those shinny winterszation plates, at least the other guys in Texas might listen closer.

Don't forget that Richard also flies in Alaska...

In his Cessna 180

Bruce-
My 180 heater is good down to -20°F, it is the stock C-180 3" system. I never flew the 170 in less than zero temps and the cabin was warm enough there.

I say the 180 heater is good down to -20°F because I won't fly in any colder temps, strange stuff starts happening. And if you go down in temps colder than -20°F, if you sprain your ankle, it could be fatal, not worth the risk. Air Taxis regularly fly piston Cessnas down to -40F in Alaska but they are trying to make money and have responsibilities to the bush communities they serve that I don't have.

hilltop170 wrote:I don't know George, I think I get colder in Texas than I do in Alaska with this wet clammy cold we have down here that I never dress properly for. At least in Alaska you know it's going to be cold all day cold and you wear the right clothes.

It was like that in the hill country yesterday so I built a fire to stay warm.

IMG_2051.jpeg

HEY STOP THAT!

Where is all this oak? That's worth driving to pick some up!

George, you can have all you want, come and get it! I have another pile ready to burn right now you can start on, 18 miles west of Fredericksburg. Come on over, you bring the St. Pauli Girl, and I'll help you cut and load into your truck.

Bruce could use some too, in his new shop heater! We can ship it to him COD.

Fine Richard! If you can tell me where it is, I'll get it loaded into my trailer and bring it home! It'll be a good excuse to come to Fredricksburg again!

(Aren't you in AK these days? or did I read your other msg incorrectly...?) I"d want to wait until it warms up just a bit tho'... it's 18-degrees over here in Spicewood. Brrrr...

Seen today on a 1957 182. The two inlets appear to feed the muffler heat shroud, which on a 182 is a big can. It also looks like there's a former hole that's been capped and Bondo-ed.

The inlets on that 182 are for cabin heat and carb heat. Not the best design in my book, lots of high pressure/ram air leakage into the cowl below the cylinders.

No idea what that other “hole” might be for.

Ina and I flew the 170 from Fredericksburg, T82, to Grand Prairie, KGPM, today, 200 miles. That was in Texas.

The OAT varied between 15°-25°F, mostly 20°F at 3500’ (damp and clammy too) and the heater maintained comfortable long sleeve shirt temps for me, Ina had a jacket on and said she stayed warm.

The doors and wing root air vents seal well but I found the wing root fairings around the air vents leak a fairly good amount of air that would improve heat quite a bit if sealed. An impermeable headliner would help as well, Del already sealed the aft baggage bulkhead with an upholstered aluminum blank.

That was with the 2” scat hose supply to the later style heat valve and header system with vents over the rudder pedals and front side panel vents at the front door post.

I am happy with that performance.

Gorilla Duct Tape seals the wing root pretty well and keeps rain out of doorposts and off carpet when tied down outside in weather. It makes quite a difference.