The International Cessna 170 Association

As far as I can tell, 53C never had brakes installed on the right side. I have a set of pedals and associated hardware to install them. What is required for paperwork since so many 170's had them installed? How can you tell for sure they were or weren't from the factory.
Any thoughts or preferences for with or without brakes on the right?

Thanks in advance,

VernH wrote: How can you tell for sure they were or weren't from the factory.

The original equipment list is available from Cessna for your plane. Here’s a screen shot of mine:Check with your A&P but my guess is he’ll say it’s a minor alteration. “Installed right side rudder pedals, p/n XXX, (listing all parts) in accordance with Dual Brake Conversion, figure 63, of the Cessna 170A IPC.”

Having never done it before and not really sure what it will take, if the rudder bar tubes and support blocks were installed at the factory and extend across from the pilot to copilot side, installation of the pedals and brake assemblies should be able to be done from inside the cabin. It will be a tight fit to get in there but should be doable.

My thought of the best way to do it if the rudder bar tubes do not already extend across from the pilot side to the copilot side would be to remove the engine and take off the firewall so you can get to both the top and bottom of the floor panels and the rudder bar tube area will be fully exposed from the front to install the rudder tubes, brakes, and bearing block assemblies.

Not trying to be funny but not knowing the exact details of what your plane already has and assuming the rudders and brakes are only fitted to the pilot side, in my mind that would be the cleanest.

Another thought on right side brakes. If you never intend to give instruction in the plane or fly from the right side, not having brakes on the copilot side can actually be a good thing. One of the only things a pilot in command cannot do is take off the brakes if a passenger steps on them. More than one plane has been flipped over by inadvertent application of brakes.

If you use stock Cessna parts, since the right side brakes are on the TCDS, it could be done with a logbook entry with a 337 detailing the work signed by an IA and a change to the wt & balance.

hilltop170 wrote:... If you use stock Cessna parts, since the right side brakes are on the TCDS, ...

Richard, I was thinking the same thing, that the right side brakes/pedals would be listed as optional equipment in the TCDS, but they’re not there.

As already noted. dual brakes were an accessory and not standard equipment. Look at the 170A IPC and you will see Dual Brake Conversion Kit under Optional Equipment. Authority would be to install them as a service kit 52-3-819 just like EVERY other 170A with dual brakes. Dual brakes became standard with the B model serial 20267, but them became optional again serial 26996 and after.

Gary's been pretty good finding service kit instructions. Here's a challenge for him.

Thanks guys. The tubes and blocks are already there. It's really just a matter of connecting the additional hardware. I have to finish convincing myself its a good idea first. I have seen too many Stearman's on their back because a passenger stepped on the brakes. Right now, That's not an issue.

There are more uses for right side brakes other than instruction.

I had my seatbelt come loose one time in the middle of a flight (pulled out of the buckle...yeah, I should have caught this on preflight and mx inspections). Instead of screwing with it I just hopped over to the right seat and continued on with an uneventful landing.

Another time I was asked to move a Chief due to some impending weather. I had never flown a Chief. The new owner had Chief time, but no medical. Since I was PIC I got the side with brakes, but sure wouldn't have minded the guy with the experience and the check book having his own set as well.

I get the inadvertent application concern. I'm just saying you never know when they'll come in handy.

DEM

Vern, the vast majority or 170s have dual brakes. Fact is your 170A is only the second I've heard of only having left side brakes. The other also being a 170A. Yet I've never heard of a passenger, in a 170 in particular, applying the brakes at all let alone to the determent of the operation of the aircraft.

So I'd say your concern is unwarranted.

Do you need right side brakes? Other than training, I'd say not.

And given the rarity of your installation, I'd be more inclined to leave it alone. Doesn't mean I wouldn't collect the parts for the install. They'd just probably be left in a labeled box for the next guy,

Bruce Fenstermacher wrote: And given the rarity of your installation, I'd be more inclined to leave it alone. Doesn't mean I wouldn't collect the parts for the install. They'd just probably be left in a labeled box for the next guy,

Another great point!

Thanks again.

n2582d wrote:

VernH wrote: How can you tell for sure they were or weren't from the factory.

The original equipment list is available from Cessna for your plane. Here’s a screen shot of mine:

1CF127C3-B1F1-4CC7-AEE9-67EBF51D248A.jpeg

Check with your A&P but my guess is he’ll say it’s a minor alteration. “Installed right side rudder pedals, p/n XXX, (listing all parts) in accordance with Dual Brake Conversion, figure 63, of the Cessna 170A IPC.”

How do you go about getting the original equipment list from Cessna, and possibly other documents? I'd like to get that for my aircraft as my original copy is almost illegible.

Hineywheel Bill wrote:

n2582d wrote:

VernH wrote: How can you tell for sure they were or weren't from the factory.

The original equipment list is available from Cessna for your plane. Here’s a screen shot of mine:

1CF127C3-B1F1-4CC7-AEE9-67EBF51D248A.jpeg

Check with your A&P but my guess is he’ll say it’s a minor alteration. “Installed right side rudder pedals, p/n XXX, (listing all parts) in accordance with Dual Brake Conversion, figure 63, of the Cessna 170A IPC.”

How do you go about getting the original equipment list from Cessna, and possibly other documents? I'd like to get that for my aircraft as my original copy is almost illegible.

316-517-8270 is the ph no for Cessna Div of Textron. Have your serial number and credit card handy if you wish to order your original docs.