Spilling the sweepstakes beans
Here’s all the cool stuff we are doing to your airplane
Well, I’m here to set the record straight and to let everyone in on our not-so-secret plans for the 1953 Cessna 170B. First, let’s get into our list of modifications.
Perhaps the most important modification being made to the Cessna 170 is the replacement of the older, worn-out engine with a brand-new Continental Prime IO-370. The upgrade, made possible by a supplemental type certificate from David Stoots, will allow the airplane to become a fire-breathing backcountry beast. This upgrade is taking place at my home field—the Peach State Aerodrome in Williamson, Georgia—at Barnstormer’s Workshop.
“It’s just going to be an awesome airplane,” said Scott Clark of Barnstormer’s Workshop. “It’s a privilege to be able to do something like this.”
Along those same backcountry lines, the aircraft will also be outfitted with 26-inch Alaskan Bushwheels; wing cuffs; Micro AeroDynamics vortex generators; LakeVue Aeronautics’ folding, lightweight interior; and a BAS tail pull handle.
“Like AOPA, Airframes Alaska’s mission is to provide strong and safe products to pilots who are pursuing adventure in the backcountry,” said Alaskan Airframes marketing director Ryan Kedzie. “We fully believe that Bushwheels are an essential tool to increase safety in off-airport operations and provide improved backcountry performance.”
I haven’t even mentioned the avionics. Gardner-Lowe Avionics at the Atlanta Regional Airport in Peachtree City, Georgia, has been tasked with upgrading the 170’s panel to feature Garmin’s GI 275 engine indicating system, dual GSB 15 USB ports, GNC 355 and GNC 255 nav/coms, GTX 345 ADS-B, Aspen’s E5 Evolution flight instrument, and PS Engineering’s PMA8000G audio panel.
After the aircraft leaves the avionics shop it will be ready for paint and interior. An eye-catching backcountry paint scheme is still in the works.
As far as the 170’s original items are concerned, several parts including the propeller, interior, and exhaust are being donated to the Cessna 170 Association.
“The International Cessna 170 Association reached out to AOPA as soon as we announced our intended upgrades to the sweepstakes airplane. They asked if we would donate parts removed from the sweepstakes airplane to their nonprofit association to help them achieve their promise and purpose of promoting and maintaining this classic airplane. We are happy to help support their mission to keep the Cessna 170 fleet flying for a long time to come,” said Kollin Stagnito, AOPA senior vice president of media and marketing.
Expect to see the new and improved sweepstakes Cessna 170 at various events this year including Sun ’n Fun, EAA AirVenture, and our AOPA fly-ins.
aopa.org/sweeps
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