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Punkin

1952 Cessna 170B

"Punkin" is a 1952 Cessna 170B. After several months of research and patience waiting for the "right" airplane, we acquired her in the summer of 2000. We found her at Upper Vally Aviation in Chiliwack, BC; about 65 miles east of Vancouver. After a thorough pre-purchase inspection (don't buy an airplane without one!) by IA and trusted friend, Gregg Horrell, we bought the airplane (along with a heavenly piece of raspberry pie from the Chiliwack airport cafe!). She had been acceptably maintained with 4000 TT, 1600 SMOH, 150 STOH and most importantly, no notable corrosion. It was a good basic airplane, but did not have any legal radios. Before the trip home we had a Garmin GNC250XL GPS-Comm and a transponder installed. Then it was off to Bellingham, WA to pick her up and bring her home!

Punkin in Chiliwack sporting Canadian duds.

After import (or a homecoming of sorts) in Bellingham, we made the long, low, and slow journey across the Cascades, Washington, Idaho, and Utah to Ryan Field (KRYN) just west of Tucson, Arizona. Ryan field is home to Ryan Aero Service, owned and operated by Gregg Horrell and Pat O'Kelly. Gregg performed the extensive annual and recertification process required to return the airplane to a state of airworthiness within the USA. As well as fulfilling the legal requirements, Gregg went the extra mile on every detail to be sure we flew home in a really safe airplane. I would recommend Gregg and Ryan Aero Service to anyone in need of an annual, a prepurchase inspection or any aviaiton maintenance items. But don't expect to shortcut anything... Gregg does only top-quality work and won't sign his name to anything less.

...in the Ryan Aero Service hangar shortly after the trip south.

To the right: Punkin over Apache Lake east of Phoenix, Arizona. Photo ship was none other than "21Quack", my folks' sweet li'l Ce172L with the Avcon 180 conversion...

In January 2002 we completed the Franklin 6A-350-C1R engine conversion increasing the rated horsepower to 220 and further improving performance by adding a McCauley 2A34C201 constant speed propeller. Click here to view the pictures and documentation of our conversion process.

Check out the Franklin 220 conversion...

Ce170b-220 Observed Climb Performance numbers:
Conditions: Gross Weight, Standard Atmosphere & 100 MPH IAS (Vy would yield a higher climb rate):
5K MSL, 25" MP, 2600 RPM: 1000 FPM sustained
10K MSL, 20" MP, 2600 RPM: 500 FPM sustained

Ce170b-220 Observed Cruise Performance numbers:
Conditions: ISA, leaned 50 degrees COP @ 5K MSL; leaned to peak @ 10K MSL
5K MSL, 24" MP, 2500 RPM, 133 KTAS, 11.0 GPH
5K MSL, 22" MP, 2350 RPM, 127 KTAS, 9.0 GPH
10K MSL, 20" MP, 2300 RPM, 123 KTAS, 7.8 GPH

The conversion process was actually an extensive restoration of everything from the instrument panel to the spinner. The conversion could be done "quick and dirty" for $30-35K, but we chose to go the extra mile to ensure that we are able to make the most of our airplane, it's capabilities, and to maximize it's longevity. Some of the "extras" included a complete re-wiring and rework of the instrument panel, polishing out the original stainless firewall, addition of a JPI EDM-700 graphic engine monitor, installation of the BAS tailpull handle kit, recovering of the seats and kickpanels, replacement of the ratty old carpet with a rubberized floor mat, fabrication of forward-cowl access hatches to facilitate removal of the cowling and access for oil changes, field approval for the addition of the 10 degree flap setting, etc, etc. Check it out!