Hello! New Member in Eastern Pennsylvania
Good Morning!
My name is Ed Figuli and I'm the proud owner of N5353Q, a 1972 Cessna 150 Texas Taildragger. I've owned the plane since August of 1994. The aircraft looks nothing like it did when it came off of the line in February of 1972. In the mid 1980s the airframe converted to a tailwheel, a 150hp Lycoming O-320-E2D replaced the original Continental O-200 and a STOL kit was added to the wings. Since purchasing the aircraft the avionics have been upgraded with a PS Engineering PAR 200B Intercom/Comm/Audio Panel, Icom A220 Com, Appareo Stratus ESGi, and Garmin G5s (the vacuum system has been removed). I added Micro Vortex Generators when the aircraft was last painted in 2015. I'm in the process now of replacing the original engine with a Lycoming Factory Rebuilt O-320-E2D also rated at 150hp. The wingtips were upgraded to Knots2U with imbedded landing lights. The landing lights don't do much for taxiing as they won't point down enough to light up the runway. They do work well on approach and with the wig wagging controller the aircraft is very visible. I also added a beacon to the belly of the aircraft to enhance visibility. All of the lights have been upgraded to LEDs.
Since the picture was taken I took the wheel pants off and installed hubcaps on the wheels. I use the plane for fun mainly flying around the Mid Atlantic (think Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia) area. I'm based at the Pennridge Airport (CKZ) in Perkasie, Pennsylvania.
Comments
Sweet, nice ride Ed. Welcome to the group!
Carl
IA 47yr A&P DAL A/C Inspector 172n
Before I forget to ask, with all the mods, whats the legal useful load is on that. Carl
IA 47yr A&P DAL A/C Inspector 172n
There are a few engine conversions out there. The only one (I think) that allows for the gross weight increase is the AvCon Conversion. The gross weight is 1760 pounds, a 160 pound increase from 1600 pounds from the stock 150. Some of that was taken up by the larger engine. So my useful load is about 500 pounds.
Yeah thanks That's approximately what I was figuring with all the goodies you have on there that's like gross weight increase makes a big difference in some usability anyway. That's close to what I had of my a2 air coupe. Carl thanks
IA 47yr A&P DAL A/C Inspector 172n
Beautiful Yellow Bird! Welcome to Cessna Owners and Happy Holidays!
Regards,
Mike