This aircraft simulates a 1954 Cessna model 170B with a 145 hp Continental O-300-A normally aspirated 6-cylinder engine and fixed-pitch propeller. It is fitted with a STOL kit consisting of a leading edge cuff and molded wing tips. Empty weight comes in around 1,300 lbs. with a usable payload of around 800 lbs.
Two variations are available to fly, a 29" bushwheel version and a seaplane version with straight floats.
The fixed-pitch prop is selected for climb performance over cruise speed, so expect the top speed to be no more than 110-115 knots.
The flight model is intended to feel underpowered and stable to fly due to the stock engine. Give it a chance to build some speed and you'll be off.
MSFS 2020 is an excellent platform for low and slow VFR backcountry flying. If you see a flat spot below, there is a good chance you can successfully land there. Get out there and enjoy the back country!
"Super" 170 Modification (Optional)
To keep up with the hot-rod Carbon Cubs and KitFoxes, you can install the optional engine and prop mod. Adding this package to you Community folder will add a new STC Lycoming IO-360M1B fuel injected engine and modern propeller. This combo is tuned for short takeoffs and climb rate. Top speed will suffer a bit due to the fine pitch of the propeller.
Source files included
There are more features and details than I can add by myself, so included in the download is the Blender file used to build this version. Feel free to make modifications and add-ons. This is released under the BSD open source license, so you are free to use it how you like.
To install, unzip and copy the sal1800-cessna-170b-backcountry directory into your Community packages folder. Don't forget to read the manual, the main instruments are described and instructions for takeoffs and landings.
The in-cockpit pilot and copilot models are controlled by both the weight & balance settings and additionally by the toggle click spots inside the glove box.
Version 1.2 (Jan 26, 2022)
Thank you to everyone who downloaded the first version and provided feedback. I took a lot of your comments and suggestions and got back to work. There are many fixes but notably, the scale of the plane has been corrected and should seem closer to the actual size. I've tested the flight model to ensure it still handles great and should be even more fun to fly.
I included six liveries this time and a few different panel and interior options. You can mix and match texture files to match your own personal taste.
This was only possible due to the very generous help from the amazing texture artist twoseventyinc, who volunteered to give the textures a hi-res update and improve the model to make liveries easier.
g33kFlying
Love this plane for Tenzing-Hillary Airport area, handles great!
Zumboflightsims
Los71
On another topic: Have you considered working on a Cessna 180/185?
There are currently none available in MSFS and would be a great step up from the 170!
sterlingbaydave
Thanks
qsiguy
5 months ago
wvernonc
jvilla
Snoopy7412
codegab
Mikolas007
rozellespi
Awesome handling and landings...my new go to! I left pic and will be back to leave more. Thank you
reubgins
My new favorite MSFS plane! Handles like a dream and feels like the real thing. I love the high performance package too, makes for some fun bush flying. 5 stars!
Red_Baron18
Great plane! I have enjoyed every flight I have taken in this plane and have had an absolute ball. the only thing I'm not understanding is when I run up I don't see a RPM drop with one mag selected.
JRay17
I love this plane! Is there a way I would be able to make a livery for it?
sal1800 author
This plane is pretty easy to paint with a new livery. If you have Blender, you can use the included source file to help locate all the parts. If you look at the different liveries , the texture.cfg file is how you can choose which interior textures to use.
1 years ago
Quassel89
Works perfectly and looks really great.
Both variants are really great and the optional motor variant is super.
Thanks for that.
Silky_PJs
Incredible aircraft just the way it is. Love the STC 195 mod. Glad to see someone else at least sticks to what is realistically possible with an aircraft. I do have a requesto for 2 items: Effects on the wheels when they touch the water, you know us backcountry fliers love to ski. Ideal would be spray similar to that of floats hitting the water. Secondly would be a small simple VFR map just to the left of center on the panel, as if a pilot had stuck a small tablet or phone with gps on it up there. I'm willing to pay you for those updates.