Bring on the power

He recently flew from Alaska to Peach State Aerodrome in Georgia, to install the Continental Prime IO-370 195-horsepower engine, Hartzell Trailblazer propeller, Sportsman wing cuffs, and other odds and ends on the AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 170B.

As a resident of the Last Frontier, Stoots knows the backcountry and its challenges well. “The only way to enjoy Alaska is flying,” said Stoots. “[My supplemental type certificates] evolved in an environment that demanded it, and an airplane that could achieve it.”

The Stoots Aviation STC drastically improves a stock Cessna's short takeoff and landing distances (by 100 feet to 300 feet), climb rates (by 500 to 700 feet per minute), and cruise speeds (by 15 to 20 miles per hour).

“I flew a Cessna 170 with a 180-horse carbureted constant speed for a while, [but] it had a lot of shortcomings,” said Stoots. “I wanted more distance and more economy, heavier load capabilities.” As a result, he purchased a Cessna 175 and got to work. It didn’t take long before “other people saw my airplane and how it performed, so I developed the STC,” he said.

“Power is one of those things where it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it,” said Stoots. “When you have that extra power, it is a much safer airplane to operate.”

Stoots said the installation is “like doing an engine change. There’s a little work on the cowling to put a new nose bowl in, but otherwise it’s pretty straightforward.”

For Stoots, being part of the AOPA Sweepstakes Cessna 170 project is his “opportunity to give back to general aviation. This is my passion, my world, and AOPA represents that.”

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