Does anyone know the approximate cost of adding a STOL kit... assuming maybe a Horton with aileron & flap gap seals, wingtips, leading edge cuffs and flow fences? Also, what about vortex generators? I don't like the looks of them, but how much good do they do as compared to a STOL kit? Thanks for any input.

Brad

I put flap gap seals and Micro V-G's on my 58 model and it made it handle like a different airplane at low speeds. I flight test on a fairly calm day here in Kansas (winds were below 15) power off stall the airspeed needle was below 30 mph and it did not break hard. Power on stall was somewhere below 40 mph and I had to kick in a little rudder to get it to break. It slow flights around 43 mph. VG's made a big difference in the flare to land, a lot more elevator effectiveness and the ailerons are a lot more effective in a cross wind. I also installed a set on a 1965 straight tail 150 for a guy and he says his airplane has the same stall and crosswind characteristics as mine now.

Short field landing perfomance is great, using full flaps on final to cross the FAA standard 50 obstacle my landing distance is under 600 feet with minimal braking. Take off has lso improved, poping 20 degrees of flap at about 50 mph will usually get it off the ground in 500 feet or so on concrete and not much farther on grass/hay.

Rick

I looked at the sportsman STOL for a 170 I had and I remember the cost around 5K including installation and painting. As I recall the Horton Kit is a little cheaper.

From the discussions I had with a few people who had the horton and sportsman kit, the majority preferred the sportsman stol.

Just remember by advice is worth what you paid for it.

Craig