Backcountry Pilot

[stinsoner offline]

Hi friends!

Ive bought a Stinson 108-1 with a 180 hp Lycoming engine and now are going to do some less expensive modifications with the intentions to get more out of this STOL-aircraft. (Ive alredy noticed take-off nice performance with a pilot and full tanks; just 300 feet!
I think the Micro Aerodynamics vortex generator kit would be nice, but what more is possible to do?
Ive heard in the past about some wing-tip installation, but its not in production any more? What about flap-gap sealing? Would a carbon prop be better? 3-blades? Bigger is better? Etc.

regards
the stinsoner in Sweden

[Idaho SuperCub offline]

You have a great airplane that needs no mods. Don't spoil its pretty lines.

IDSC

[qmdv offline]

Now that sounds like a great plane. If I had that I think that some fat tires is about all I would do. Extra fas would be nice. Thought that sombody on this forum is building a 14 gal aux tank.

Are you posting on the stinson forum.

Tim

[hardtailjohn offline]

I'm the one with the 13 gallon aux fuel tank STC. The best bang for the buck with a Stinson is definately the VG's. The droop tips are nice too, but from what I've found, Madras is no longer producing them, so about the only option is to find some already out there...unless someone wants to step up and buy the STC and start producing them.
That Stinson is one very under estimated airplane....you'll love it!
John

[stinsoner offline]

Yea, heard a lot of the Madras, but where can I find one of these goodies?

[soaringhiggy offline]

there have been many people that have tried the madras tips, and then tested them.

They look good to some, not to others, the general consensus is that they are not worth the time and money to install them on this plane.

The Rudder on the -1 and -2 models did not have a rudder trim. When installing a 165 or greater motor the rudder trim system is required.

The VG's is the way that I would go if I were to start modifying my plane.

One thing never to do, cover over the wing slots, that can make the plane uncontrollable, and it is what gives that plane a very stable low end.

The types of ailerons that are on the Stinson do not want/need gap sealing. The standard flap arrangement only has 2 settings, many folks have added a stop which becomes the first click when deploying flaps. This should be aligned so the flaps lock in at the same spot that maximum deflection of the aileron and the flap meet, making in essence a long air dam on the side that is deflected down. This mod does help.

[soaringhiggy offline]

John,

Have you finished your stc for the tank?

[hotrod180 offline]

I would say that the best STOL tips for your airplane (and for most any other) is to keep it light, make sure the prop pitch lets it turn up enought to make some power (alot of people pitch 'em too coarse), and make sure the nut behind the throttle is current & proficient at STOL op's and maneuvering flight.
I looked at a T-A-P ad for Micro VG's, I was kinda surprised to see the Stinson 108 included. I woulda thought that the factory slotted leading edge did the same thing VG's do--keep the airflow attached to the wing. I guess adding the VG's just does it that much better.

Eric

[stinsoner offline]

The VG gives a reduced Stall Speed of 8 procent on a Stinson, the same kit give 16 procent reduction when installed on a Cubwing - I think the difference is mostly because Stinson already have slots?

[stinsoner offline]

Yes, also thinkinf oftake my wooden propeller out of service and install a 3-blad Warp Drive composite prop. Is the Warp prop a good choice?

[River rat offline]

Im no stinson expert but the MT prop seems to be the best constant speed for the 180 lycoming if you want a fixed pitch put a borer on some bigger tires and go flying.

[denalipilot offline]

thinkinf oftake my wooden propeller out of service

Wooden prop: not only saves your engine when you nose over out in the bush, but gives you ready-made kindling for the signal fire. Now that's a friend.

[soaringhiggy offline]

It depends on what your laws are there. In the US I do not know of any allowances for MT props on Stinsons, there may be one, but I do not know.

I would love to have a CS but I can wait for a long time with the expense of installing a new engine.

There are folks that have VG's many do not. I would submit that 8% is not a lot, maybe 4 to 6 six mile per hour, use the money go fly and learn slow speed and high AOA maneuvers, this plane is very stable and you will find that you can get it slow and dependable.

[hardtailjohn offline]

Dane,
I got the STC paperwork finally all done...and am in the middle of figuring out just how much the kit will cost. My welder is going to start on tanks next week (hopefully) and when they're done, I get to run them to ID to get a DAR to approve them (one way around having a PMA)...then I'll have it pretty well nailed down. Not sure just when the first one goes out the door, but have 2 spoken for already and a 3rd pretty sure. I'm right in the middle of a huge resto project on a Kenworth, so too many projects, not enough hours in the day!!!
Windows are still on my mind.....
John

[hotrod180 offline]

Someone on one of the other airplane websites was extolling the benefits of the Aeromatic prop. Don't know if they're approved for the stinson. They sound like a great idea-- unfortunately, I have to believe that if they were that good they never would have faded from sight like they did and today we'd all already be running them. Maybe something to consider though.

Eric

[soaringhiggy offline]

you can use aromatic props on a 165. I have spoken with many folks that were stinson drivers that say there is not enough change between climb and cruse to make that prop worth while on a 108. The worked well with the ballancas.

If I were to use a more modern engine ie 360 I would use a hydraulic prop, not a relative wind, aoa prop

[wagonwrench offline]

howdy all, I am about a week away from test flying a 108-3 w/ a 180 constant speed Franklin after a 11 month recover/rebuild. It has the vg's and thats about it. I recall when we installed them the owner was very happy.

I will try to get him to join/post on the performance differences.

108 is a good ship to start with & some extra mods don't hurt!

WW

[wyattearp offline]

Good brakes and the larger flap modification will definitely help slow you down.

[hardtailjohn offline]

Good brakes and the larger flap modification will definitely help slow you down.

Larger flap modification? Haven't heard about that one yet... but I'm interested!
John

[soaringhiggy offline]

me either, i think it may be worth looking into.