Thanks: 
Likes: Getting the fastback straight tail 150 going. I need to re arch the mains... any recommendations?
What's it cost and how long does it last? We're doing the engine now.
Getting the fastback straight tail 150 going. I need to re arch the mains... any recommendations?
What's it cost and how long does it last? We're doing the engine now.
One of the planes I learned to fly in was a 100hp straight tail 150 taildragger. Twitchy little thing, but responsive and fun to fly.
Maybe check in with The Landing Gear Works in Renton, WA. Tailwheel Tom is sorta the authority on Cessna gear.
Do you have the Lowe Tailwheel STC that uses teh C-140 gear legs? https://taildraggeraviation.com/lowe-taildragger-stc
I used to own a C150/150 taildragger.
People like to call every C150TD a "texas taildragger",
but mine was converted using that stc,
it also had their long range fuel (40 gallon) mod as well as the 150hp mod.
Pretty sure that mine had the gear legs that were available along with the stc.
I can't recall the stc number but I believe DelAir in Porterville CA owns it now.
I don't think they are marketing or even suppoorting the stc nowadays,
but they might be able to pass along some pertinent info.
Dunno where you are located,
but I second stewarts suggestion to call Tom Anderson at TLGW in Renton WA.
I owned a c-140 once upon a time and connected with David Lowe. He was active in the types user group. That was a real nice STC!!!
David Lowe is the best TD conversions for the C-150's. He's done over 40 of them.
Not the question I asked....Originally Posted by Cub junkie
No but if he owns the stc and has done 40 of them, he would probably be a pretty good guy to ask….
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True.... but the lowe stc utilizes 140 legs, I'm still using stock 150 as mine has the Texas td stc.
Is this an initial re arch or did they sag and you are putting them back to where they were? If they sagged on their own, I would wonder why.
If this is an initial re arch, what are the STC holders recommendations? Where do they recommend it be done?
NX1PA
Last owners put it back to trike. The airframe has tons of hours. They're just very sagged so I believe a re-arch is the best course of action.
The Tx Taildragger STC was marketed by Custom Aircraft Conversions, then Aircraft Conversion Technologies, then finally was purchased by DelAir.
I don't have the original ACT brochure anymore, I included it with the rest of the paperwork when I sold my 150TD 9 years ago,
but I recall they recommended using their special gear legs as the stock legs made the converted airplane too squatty.
Again, I would recommend giving Tom Anderson at TLGW a call.
Cessna Skywagon-- accept no substitute!
I've had this plane for several years. It's currently a trike. I've known about Lowe, del air, and custom air for a long, long time.
As mentioned in previous threads I'm only interested in re-arching right now as I'm not going back to taildragger configuration for
at least 200 hours. When I do I'll be eliminating the Texas conversion for the lowe conversion which, yes I already know utilizes 140 gear.
I know this stuff, what I didn't know was who to call for the gear o/h. I've contacted tlgw... no response, I'll try again. I'm hoping there
is another option out there for re working my gear, if there is and you know of anyone else, then please advise .
Thank you
Maybe find a set of 170 gear? Lots of 170 guys upgrade to 180 gear so there should be some around. Maybe not appropriate in trike configuration, though.
I didn't realize you were keeping it in the nosedragger configuration.
Seems like there's lots of trashed / derelict 150's around--
it might be easier to just try to find a set of replacement gear legs.
Cessna Skywagon-- accept no substitute!
If your gear needs re arching, it would be wise to find another set of gear legs. Years ago a Cessna 195 was brought into a shop where I was working to be converted from military to civilian use. In the process of unloading it from the truck, one of the gear legs snapped off at the fuselage trapping a person under the fuselage. Fortunately he survived, but it was close. These legs don't last forever, particularly after being abused enough to change shape.
NX1PA
I think I agree with that. My Decathlon came with really flexible 2000-hr steel legs. I converted to aluminum, and feel quite a bit more secure. I really don’t know if they are stronger or last longer, but I know the guy who designed and manufactured them, and he is a better engineer than I am by a bunch.
Check around some of the salvage yards for airplanes with relatively low time.
If you keep your gear, get a good non destructive inspection such as magna flux or perhaps there are some other more sophisticated methods available today. Re arching it could further weaken an already weak section.
NX1PA
Is 170 main gear on a 150 a thing? I haven't heard of it .
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