View source for Cessna 170

{{Short description|United States of America light aircraft}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2021}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name=Cessna 170
 |image=Cessna170B_orange.jpg
 |caption=<!--image caption; if it isn't descriptive it should be left blank-->
 |type=Light personal aircraft
 |manufacturer=[[Cessna|Cessna Aircraft Company]]
 |designer=
 |first_flight=June 1, 1948
 |introduction=1948
 |retired=
 |status=
 |primary_user=
 |more_users=
 |produced=1948–1956
 |number_built=5,174
 |variants=[[O-1 Bird Dog]]<br>[[Cessna 172]]<br>[[Kayaba Heliplane]]
}}
[[Image:Cessna170C-GHFK10.jpg|thumb|Early production Cessna 170]]
[[Image:Cessna170A C-FGUG 04.jpg|thumb|Cessna 170A on an ice runway near [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]]]]
[[Image:Cessna170BC-FFTU03.jpg|thumb|Cessna 170B in flight]]
[[Image:Cessna170.png|thumb|Cessna 170B]]
[[Image:Cessna170AtCentennial.jpg|thumb|Cessna 170B at [[Centennial Airport]]]]

The '''Cessna 170''' is an American single-engine, four seat, [[general aviation]] aircraft produced by the [[Cessna|Cessna Aircraft Company]] between 1948 and 1956.

It is the predecessor of the [[Cessna 172]], the [[list of most-produced aircraft|most produced aircraft]] in history, which replaced the 170 in production in 1956. 

==Development==

===170===
In late 1948, Cessna began sales of the 170, with a metal fuselage and tail and fabric-covered constant-chord wings. These earliest 170s were  four-seat versions of the popular [[Cessna 140|140]] with a more powerful {{convert|145|hp|abbr=on}} [[Continental C145-2]] and an extra interconnected fuel tank in one wing for a total of 36 gallons in three tanks. Like the 140, they were constructed of metal with fabric-covered wings supported by a "V" strut.

===170A===
In 1949, Cessna began marketing the '''170A''', an all-metal 170 with zero-[[dihedral (aircraft)|dihedral]] wing tapered outboard of the slightly-enlarged plain [[Flap (aeronautics)|flaps]] with 50 degrees maximum deflection, two 21 gallon fuel tanks, and a single strut replacing the "V" strut of the 170. This and subsequent versions of the 170 shared the fin/rudder shape of the larger [[Cessna 190]] and [[Cessna 195|195]] models.

===305===
In 1950, the [[United States Air Force]], [[United States Army|Army]] and [[United States Marine Corps|Marines]] began using the military variant of the 170, the '''Model 305''', designated the L-19 and later [[O-1 Bird Dog]] by the military. It was used as a [[forward air control]] and [[reconnaissance]] aircraft. The Bird Dog was extensively redesigned from the basic 170 and included a revised tandem-seat fuselage and a wing with large modified Fowler flaps that deployed up to 60°.

===170B===
In 1952, the '''Cessna 170B''' was introduced, featuring a new wing tapered outboard of the flaps, incorporating dihedral similar to the military version. The B model was equipped with very effective modified Fowler (slotted, rearward-traveling) wing flaps which deflect up to 40°,<ref name=":0">Phillips 1986, p. 15</ref> adapted from the C-305/Bird Dog, a wing design that lives on in the Cessna light singles of today (constant NACA 2412 section with a chord of {{convert|64|in|mm}} from centerline to {{convert|100|in|mm}} (the outboard end of the flaps), then tapering to {{convert|44|in|mm|adj=on}} NACA 2412 section chord at 208 inches from centerline, with three-degree washout across the tapered section). The 170B model also included a new tailplane, a revised tailwheel bracket, and other refinements over the 170 and 170A. It was marketed in 1952 for $7245.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Cessna170-B|magazine=Flying|date=February 1952|page=62}}</ref>

In 1955, the previously elliptical rear side windows were changed to a squarer design.

=== 170C ===
The sole '''170C''', registered N37892 (c/n 609), was built in November 1954 with a redesigned squared vertical stabilizer.  No production followed, and the prototype was converted to 170B standard with a rounded tail in January 1956.  However, the 170C was developed into the [[Cessna 172]], with early models sharing the squared tail of the 170C.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Simpson |first=R.W. |title=Airlife's General Aviation |publisher=Airlife Publishing |year=1995 |isbn=1853105775 |edition=2nd}}</ref>

===Experimental===
In 1958, Cessna experimented with a belt driven 145 hp Continental engine. The company completed 1000 hours of test flying.  The belt drive reduced vibration, engine noise and propeller noise.  A 92 inch propeller with 70 degrees of pitch improved the rate of climb 12 percent.  The belts used were developed by [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company]] and were 3/8-inch wide, 7/16-inch deep, and 41 inches long.<ref name="Flying1958Oct">{{cite magazine|title=Cessna Reveals Second Twin, New Belt Drive|magazine=Flying|date=October 1958|page=50-b}}</ref><!-- found via google books Flying magazine archive -->

===Successor===
The 170 is equipped with [[conventional landing gear]], which is more challenging to land than [[tricycle landing gear]]. In 1956, Cessna introduced a replacement for the 170 that was essentially a nosewheel-equipped 170B with a square tailfin, designated the [[Cessna 172|172]]. 170 production was halted soon after the 172 became available.

===Model 309 and 319===
Between 1951 and 1955, Cessna used modifications of the 170 and its derivative, the U.S. Army L-19, as test beds for [[boundary layer control]] research, under contract to the Office of Naval Research and the Army Transportation Corps, designating them as the models 309 and 319. The project was done in conjunction with the [[Wichita State University|University of Wichita]] which conducted extensive wind tunnel tests of the concept. The model 309 utilized the [[Germany in WWII|German]] [[World War II]] Arado lift-increasing system in which a jet pump inside the wing sucked in stagnant air from the flap area, energized it and blew the higher-speed air over the ailerons. Various chemicals and enhancements were used to power the jet pump. Better results were obtained by departing from the Arado jet pump method and using an engine-driven generator to power electric motors driving axial fans to move the internal air.<ref name=cessna>Thompson, 1991, {{page needed|date=April 2021}}</ref> 

This concept was adopted on the Model 319 but substituted an engine-driven hydraulic pump to drive hydraulic-powered axial fans. This model was more successful and resulted in the highest lift capacity, as measured by the maximum lift coefficient, recorded up to that time. The 319 demonstrated the capability of taking off in {{convert|190|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}, landing in {{convert|160|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} and clearing a {{convert|50|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} obstacle in {{convert|450|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}. The aircraft had a stall speed of {{convert|28|kn|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=cessna/>
The 309 and 319 were meant to be research aircraft only, and no plans were developed to incorporate boundary layer control technology in then-current Cessna models. Others were also working on the concept, and it was ultimately incorporated into the [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]].<ref name=leading>"Leading Edge Aeronautical Research on the Plains", Air Facts Journal, February 22, 2013 by Harry Clements {{page needed|date=April 2021}}</ref>

==Operators==
===Civilian===
;{{USA}}
*[[Mississippi State University]] – Model 319<ref>{{cite web |title=Aircraft Assets |url=http://www.raspet.msstate.edu/capabilities/aircraft-assets |website=Mississippi State University |access-date=26 July 2024}}</ref>

===Military===
;{{DOM}}
*[[Armed_Forces_of_the_Dominican_Republic#Army_of_the_Dominican_Republic|Dominican Army]]<ref>Hagedorn 1993, p. 111.</ref>
;{{SLV}}
*[[Air Force of El Salvador]]<ref>Hagedorn 1993, p. 87.</ref>
;{{GTM}}
*[[Armed Forces of Guatemala|Guatemalan Air Force]]<ref>Hagedorn 1993, p. 55.</ref>
;{{HON}}
*[[Honduran Air Force]]<ref>Hagedorn 1993, p. 73.</ref>
;{{THA}}
*[[Royal Thai Armed Forces]] – Cessna 170B, locally designated '''B.S.7''' ({{langx|th|บ.ส.๗}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>

==Specifications (170B) ==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1955–56<ref name="jawa55 p232">Bridgman 1955, p. 232.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|capacity=3 passengers
|length m=
|length ft=24
|length in=11+1/2
|span m=
|span ft=36
|span in=
|height m=
|height ft=6
|height in=7
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=174
|aspect ratio=7.46:1
|airfoil=NACA 2412
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=1205
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=2200
|fuel capacity={{convert|42|USgal|L impgal|abbr=on}}
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Continental C145]]-2
|eng1 type=air-cooled [[flat-six]]
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=145<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng1 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->

|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->

<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=140
|max speed kts=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=120
|cruise speed kts=
|stall speed mph=52
|range km=
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=15500
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=690
|endurance=over 4.5 hours
|more performance=

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[Cessna 140]]
* [[Cessna 172]]
* [[Cessna O-1 Bird Dog]]

|similar aircraft=
* [[Aeronca Sedan]]
* [[Piper PA-20 Pacer]]
* [[Stinson 108]]
* [[Yakovlev Yak-12]]
|lists=
|see also=
*[[1948 in aviation]] (first flight)
}}

==References==
<!--===Notes===-->
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book|last=Bridgman|first=Leonard|title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1955–56|location=New York|publisher=McGraw-Hill|year=1955|asin=B000SCX4MQ}}
* {{cite book|last=Hagedorn|first=Daniel P.|title=Central American and Caribbean Air Forces|year=1993|location=Kent, UK|publisher=Air-Britain (Historians)|isbn=978-0851302102}}
* {{cite book|last=Phillips|first=Edward H.|title=Wings of Cessna, Model 120 to the Citation III|publisher=Flying Books|year=1986|isbn=978-0911139051}}
* {{cite book|last=Thompson|first=William D. |title=Cessna Wings for the World, the Single-Engine Development Story|publisher=Maverick Publications|year=1991|isbn=978-0892882212}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://fly8ma.com/cessna-170/ Cessna 170 guide - FLY8MA Online Flight Training]
*[https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/aircraft-fact-sheets/cessna-170 Cessna 170 fact sheet - Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association]

{{Cessna 140 family}}
{{Cessna}}
{{Thai liaison aircraft designations}}

[[Category:Cessna aircraft|170]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:1940s United States civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1948]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]