Putting in the power

“Continental is excited to partner with AOPA on this sweepstakes, showing everyone that an old plane is capable of new tricks,” said Oliver Leber, Continental’s vice president of global sales and applications. “Through this partnership, we’re able to put a modern and powerful spin on this iconic aircraft that not many have gotten to experience first-hand. We’re excited to share our passion for aviation with the AOPA community and to demonstrate what the Continental Prime engine is capable of.”

 

The four-cylinder, 195-horsepower engine comes complete with a counter-weighted stroked crankshaft, 9.6-to-1 compression ratio pistons, and roller camshaft. “This engine was designed to create the smoothest four-cylinder GA piston engine on the market with the highest power to weight ratio,” said Leber. “This engine has a time between overhaul of 2,200 hours and carries Continental’s exceptional factory engine warranty.”

Securing a smooth, modern, and powerful engine was the first step toward ensuring that the currently stock 1953 Cessna 170B is well-equipped for backcountry adventures.

“This highest-powered IO-370 engine in the Cessna 170 application is the ideal powerplant for a backcountry bush aircraft,” said Leber. “Its high torque, power to weight ratio, and with the constant speed application, it excels at high altitude and short runways, making it fun and safe to fly in extreme backcountry terrain.”

In addition to Continental’s contribution of a capable backcountry engine, Hartzell will contribute an 83-inch Trailblazer constant-speed propeller to the sweepstakes project, and Stoots Aviation is providing the STC required to install both on the Cessna 170B.

“Stoots Aviation is excited for the opportunity to be included in the AOPA sweepstakes Cessna 170B airplane project for 2023,” said Dave Stoots. “Stoots Aviation’s high performance aircraft engine conversions are state of the art installations. Using the New Continental Aerospace Technologies IO-370 195-horsepower Prime engine and Hartzell Trailblazer propeller for the maximum performance and fuel economy in the backcountry where it is needed the most.”

“Our stock 170 is a decent performer considering its worn-out 145-horsepower engine and cruise prop,” said Kollin Stagnito, AOPA senior vice president of media and marketing. “But I can’t wait to experience the huge increase in power and thrust this engine and propeller combination is going to add to the sweepstakes airplane. With a better power to weight ratio than the legendary Cessna 180, it’ll be a blast to fly.”

[email protected]