Hi there all, I am looking at buying a second 175. It is a 175 1958 model and I have a hankering to make it a taildragger. Has any of the members done a conversion and if so, was it difficult to get parts?, is it difficult to do?,does it make it a better aircraft?.I would like to find as much info as possible before I commit any dollars to this .Does anybody have a picture of how it is done? looking forward to any replies,thanks ,Chasco.(It is cheap and has a runout engine).

I tried to attach the story, but couldn't get it done. I live in the boonies, so my connection is extremely slow. Sorry.

I completed my tailwheel conversion on the exact model of 175 as you have. I got the conversion from Bush Conversions, Robert & Barbara Williams at Udall< KS, however....efforts to contact them lately have been without response. I would hope that a member here from Kansas could stop by at their facility in Udall and find out whats going on. It would really be a loss if they have quit business, as they have the only STC available here in the US.
I have a rancher friend here in Nebraska, who is converting his 175 to tailwheel and also built up a Superior 180 engine to put in it. He has gone the route of Experimental, as he never intends to sell it.
If you have need of a "bush" plane with "off airport" landings, then a tail dragger is what you want. You can trick a 175 out to get off in 150 ft at 4,000 ft alt, and it will perform with the best STOL aircraft around at a lot less money. I have about $60,000 in my 175. It has. tail wheel, Sportsman STOL wings, w/vgs. 180 lyc w/ CS prop, Powerflow exhaust and more. If interested, it is written up in "Cessna Owner" mag, April 06. I can probably attach the pdf file story here if interested.
Karl

I have some pictures that Ron Bell sent me of VYJ when he converted it. He has been after me to get some of his photos uploaded, so I will do it asap.. probably tomorrow.

KRis

Thank you Karl, I would appreciate it if you could send me a copy of that article. How do you get a 175 on the experimental register. ?This might be a way for me to get around the lack of availability of the STC.Would like to find out all the details of required changes if you have them available. Is it possible to get copy of the STC paperwork from you?Experimental would really open up some exciting possibilities. Lasar ignition,realistic prices for engine monitoring, $50 vortex generator kits, turbocharged GTO-300(only kidding) Kris, would be really keen to see those pictures, Thanks Chasco.

To go experimental, you need to be capable of building everything yourself, and have a understanding FAA rep to approve it here in the US. Your N number indicates that you are in Canada.
Here you need to meet the 51% rule, and remember you are not building the airplane, only modify it. So you have to build the tail wheel conversion from scratch, you have to build your own engine (Superior) plus new panel, motor mounts etc. Most people are not that capable, so just buy an experimental kit. My friend has been at this two years, and hopes to have it flying this year. He is also going to change the cooling to smaller openings. This man is a A&P, but a rancher who only has the A&P because his Dad was a FBO years ago.
He was around a lot when I was converting my 175, making drawings and taking pictures etc. There are a lot of things to build for the gear box, that were furnished in my kit. If you can get one, the kit is the way to go, as anything else requires you to be extremely talented.

I am just finishing up a 58' 175 that we did the Bush conversion to tailwheel. There is quite a bit of assembly to build the new gearbox, but the finished product came out great. We also did the Bush conversion to the 180hp lycoming with a CS speed prop. I can try and get some photos for you as there is still access to the gearbox. I am not sure how to post them in the forum though. I can say that I have flown a 175 similar to the one I am building up and the takeoff performance was better than that of the Cessna 180.

Hi 5JL,

Email them to mail@cessna175.org and I will upload them for you.

Cheers!

Kris

Did you just buy your tail wheel conversion from Bush Conversions of Udall, KS? If so how long ago. There are many who would like to do this, but can not get the Williams to respond to calls. Would like to know that they are still in business.

They are still in business. Just dificult to contact.

Yes, I think that it has come to the point that if you want to get ahold of the williams, talk to Clay - N7991T. He is able to stop by their office.

Sorry Clay, couldn't resist! :-) I guess if you get to many calls I will make you an "STC Liason Officer" and you will get free membership and whatever other perks I can drum up, ehh???

Cheers!

Kris

I need a liaison to help me understand and communicate with Bob Williams. How do I call Mr. Story? Phone number?

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff,
If I happen to see Bob or his wife I will relay your phone number to them and let them know you wish to speak to them.
Regards,
Clay

If you decide to go with a Bush kit. Order it well before you plan on needing the parts. It took 8mos for us to get our engine conversion kit for the 0-360. The tail wheel kit was about 6 weeks.

Has anyone tried to get a a Tail wheel STC from this guy:
STC Number:
SA00297NY

This certificate issued to:
Manary Lowell

STC Holder's Address:
75 Homestead Drive
S Glastonbury CT 06073

Pete N7346M

This Guy only has a 1 time STC on his airplane to convert to a taildragger.

Cheers!

Kris

Up date for the Tailwheel conversion for the C-175. My Muti-STC for the Tailwheel Conversion for the C-175 and C-172 will be available in a few months. All parts and paper work. I will have a price for the kit at that time. Price range $9 to $11 thousand. Pictures of it are on this web site under N9493B.

Dave Stoots
stoots@gci.net
907-474-4039
907-590-5559

David, I had a guy contact me for a tailwheel kit for the Hawk XP today. Do you know anyone with an STC for this bird?

Kris

Kris

My STC will be extended to include the Models of Cessna 172s and the XP. The tail cone section and the gear box area are all the same. EVEN IF !! it ain't Right to have a slant tail as a tail dragger but hey what the hell!!

Dave Stoots