201 Cowl on a '74F

[aerobat95]

Hello ya'll, quick question for you.  If I were able to get a 201 cowl, how would I go about getting it approved for install on a '74F?  I have heard that field approvals are getting hard to come by.  I talked to SWTA and they were saying that awhile ago a company called Mod Works had an STC for this?  They were also saying a copy of an STC might do?  Any info you guys have I would really appreciate.  On a side note my yokes are in the mail from Aero Comfort.....should have them Friday and I can't wait! 

[John Pleisse]

I am pretty sure all of Modworks STC's went down with the hurricane. Insurance issues. Aercomfort yokes....lucious.

[N601RX]

Quote: aerobat95

Hello ya'll, quick question for you.  If I were able to get a 201 cowl, how would I go about getting it approved for install on a '74F?  I have heard that field approvals are getting hard to come by.  I talked to SWTA and they were saying that awhile ago a company called Mod Works had an STC for this?  They were also saying a copy of an STC might do?  Any info you guys have I would really appreciate.  On a side note my yokes are in the mail from Aero Comfort.....should have them Friday and I can't wait! 

[DaV8or]

Quote: N601RX

Is the SWTA look alike 201 cowling still available?  If it is it may be just as cheap if not cheaper after you factor in the Field approval vs the stc.  It also includes new spinner, engine baffling, oil cooler relocation and an second landing light is optional.

[aerobat95]

Well I talked with SWTA and unfortunately the cowl is no longer available and from the sounds of it  never will be.  The guy I talked with said that back when the cowl was in production the types of resin that were used are no longer available/obsolete.  Its ashame, I really like the look of those.  So far I have not had much luck finding out any info about putting a 201 cowl on a F.  It was a nice thought though....I am still planning on the 201 windshield this summer when I am in San Antonio.

[John Pleisse]

I have to tell you. A 201 windshield, a cowl enclosure with an updated 201 type spinner does almost the same for speed gains and looks almost completely updated.

[KSMooniac]

Ray, you could try for a 337 Field Approval through our Wichita FSDO for the 201 cowl, but it will involve some effort.  In addition to the cowl, you'll need to modify the engine mount/cowl flap mechanism, relocate the oil cooler to aft of the #4 cylinder, and possibly change the induction system to the 201 style.  Additionally the baffles need to be altered as well to accommodate those changes.  You might check with LASAR for a complete bill of materials because I know they've done this work in the past, and they might have some or all of the parts needed for the conversion.  It is not a trivial swap, unfortunately.

If you're interested, I know of a surplus 201 cowl that is in Wichita right now, but is likely headed to Maxwell's shop soon as partial payment on some service work.  

N4352H's suggestion is a good one... check out the ARI cowl closure mod, which bolts on to the older cowls and mimics the 201 style cooling inlets and uses a 201 spinner.  With some skillful installation and paint, it can look pretty decent and cost only a fraction of the 201 cowl conversion.  There is a G owner on this site (Aaron... N207LS or something like that) that did this mod and it turned out pretty nice (aside from the LSU paint job.   ).  He has pictures in his gallery.

[aerobat95]

Thanks for the info guys.  I checked out the ARI cowl closure mod....looks good on the LSU bird.  Went to ARI's website...not sure if they have that mod for the F.  I'll have to give a call in the morning. 

[KSMooniac]

My buddy has one on his E, so I presume it will be available for the F since they are identical firewall-forward.  Good luck!

[aerobat95]

Very cool....well I will keep my fingers crossed and maybe this summer I will have a 201 Windshield and a upgraded cowl.  Scott, is your buddy in Wichita?  Overall what are your thoughts of it?

 

Ray

[aerobat95]

JimR, good to hear about your dad.  The KC-135 has served this country very well over the years.  I was very happy to hear the new tanker contract went to Boeing.  I too like the fact they have been in the tanker business since the beginning.  I have been very lucky to have accumulated over 2000 hours in the KC-135, and all in the past 3 years.  I managed to upgrage twice in my time here at McConnell, once to aircraft commander and just recently to instructor pilot.  In less than a month I get to head down to San Antonio to go to Pilot Instructor School......where I will get to fly the T-6.  After that in September I head back to Vance AFB to instruct the new guys.  As far as the mods go....that is just something that I love to do.  When I owned my mustang I put way to much time and money into it....Supercharger, suspension, exhaust, custom paint, ect.  I love my '74F, but I have this need to make it completely my own.  I should be getting back my yokes tomorrow from Aero Comfort.  :-) 

[KSMooniac]

Ray, he was in Wichita but moved to TX recently.  I have his plane in my hangar right now, but am flying it back to TX this afternoon (hopefully) to retrieve mine from annual.  I think I showed it to you when you visited me since he was hangared right behind me, but I'm sure you weren't worried about details like this when you were just starting to look around.  His mod is just bolted-on, so it doesn't look as nice as it could if it were professionally faired-in by a good paint guy, but it does the job. His plane came with it installed, so I can't comment on before/after but I'm sure it is worth a couple of knots.  The 201 w/s is great mod and will get you some knots as well as more room on the glareshield...well worth the effort IMO, especially if you need to change the w/s anyway.