Ray Clegg - KIS CRUISER MODIFICATIONS
CESSNA 172 NOSE LEG AND RUDDER PEDALS FOR THE CRUISER
The fitting of C172 nose leg and rudder pedals has the advantage of full oleo on nose wheel, nose wheel steering and braking from both P1 and P2 positions. The only modification required was the lengthening of the steering arms. A purpose made engine mount had to be made for the Lycoming IO 360 200hp engine.
The C172 rudder pedals are attached with tufnol blocks in the same way
as the standard pedals. The sub-floor has to have holes cut for the ball
joint attachments of the steering arms. It is important to reinforce the
sub-floor adequately to prevent flexing when braking this applies
whatever rudder pedals are used. I used Matco brake cylinders (not seen in
the photographs) with a remote reservoir on the engine side of the firewall.
This makes topping up of brake fluid more easily. The C172 pedals are
inter-linked and so only one pair of brake cylinders are required in the
P1 position.
Sub-floor with tufnol blocks in place |
|
C172 pedals before refurbishment | |
C172 pedals after refurbishment |
The C172 nose leg was attached in conventional manner to the engine mount with a collar at top and bottom. The four firewall mounting points were used with an additional firewall support at the junction of the firewall and fuselage floor (suitable reinforced with BID on the interior) to resist the midline backward thrust of the noseleg.