The International Cessna 170 Association

Anybody have an opinion one way or the other regarding tail pull handles? I am considering having some installed but wanted to hear pros and cons if any of you have any input. Can't live without them .... wouldn't have a plane with them ..... or something in between?

thanks,
Keith

Keith,

Look at the first topic in "The Hangar" for a list of the most highly recommended modifications for C170s. Tail pull handles is one of them. Saves wear and tear on the tailfeathers.

John

Would be one of the first things to do to a 170.

Can't live without them

The tail pull handles have been the best bang for the buck I've gotten out of any improvement or repair to the plane. The tail pull handles are worth every penny in my opinion. They get used every time I fly, and some times when I don't fly.

I guess I better get on the phone and order some handles! Thanks. K

Mention your a member and receive a discount.

I use a tailwheel tow bar and find it much better than tail pull handles. I have better control and I am not pushing on the vertical or horizontal stabiliazer or the side of the fuselage.

Best thing since sliced bread. Just make sure when you are turning you push or pull on the rivit line over a bulkhead. You never again need to push on the horizontal stab.

I use a tailwheel towbar and never need to push horizontal stab. Carry it in the back wherever I go and have never had a problem.

Tailwheel towbars are fine things, especially when pulling the airplane aftward....until one attempts to move the airplane forward...not nearly as good at directional control and the thing slips off the tailwheel and damages something.
BAS tail handles are the cat's meow...no matter which direction the airplane is moved. I use them every trip, and sold my tailwheel tow-bar to get my money back.

And tailwheel towbars work so well in the boonies or in the snow on skies

I had a tailwheel towbar that I used to carry along with me everywhere, even though I had the tail pull handles ... but after a year or two of never using the towbar, I took it out of the airplane. The tailpull handles are so good for pushing or pulling that I've never needed the towbar in 6 years of owning my C-170.

I'm very happy with my tail pull handles.

Mike

KG,

I have pull handles on mine if you want to come over and look at them.

Here's a look at the general structure of the device. The handles telescope in/out of the tubular housing. This illustration shows one side only, of course. The housing-tube actually extends all the way across and contains left and right handles when stowed.