Thank you for inquiring about our most popular engine conversion, the Air Plains 180, offered on 1965 and newer (172F-P) aircraft. Our Skyhawk engine conversion has been developed to offer a maximum increase in the flight perfomance of your 172.
Our conversion has been continually refined and updated over the past 15 years, based on the foundation, knowledge, and experience accumulated from our other Air Plains' engine mod STC's. Our complete conversion kit utilizes maximum horsepower, minimal airframe modification, tried and true power plant and propeller, and durable, uncomplicated modification pans. You will be impressed with our results.
3-400 fpm increase in rate of climb!
True airspeeds in EXCESS of 150 mph!
TBO 2000 hours!
Engine/airframe refurbishment fire wall forward!
FACTORY warranty on engine components!
Gross Weight Capability increase up to 250 pounds!
The same conversion and components selected by AOPAfor the 1994 "Better
Than New" 172.
Our AIR PLAIN'S 180 horsepower engine conversion, Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) number SA4428SW, is a complete kit with pre-fabricated and ready to install parts. It can be flown with the assurance that all of our components are manufactured, inspected, and approved for installation and service by the FAA.
The AIR PLAINS 180 offers substantially increased climbing and cruising performance, along with the ability to increase your load carrying capability. These improvements are offered to you at a fraction of the cost of trading and having to familiarize yourself with a different aircraft. Our conversion flight tests have proven a 15 to 18 mile per hour increase in cruise speed, and a 300 to 400 foot per minute increase in rate of climb....adding up to an incredible 150 PLUS MPH (TAS) airplane with 800 PLUS FPM climb rates.
Our gross weight increase (STC SA2196CE) package will allow loading opportunities that were previously out of the question. By increasing the gross weight limits ofyour Skyhawk over 200 pounds, we will turn your 172 into a true four passenger airplane . With the AIR PLAINS 180 Gross Weight Increase Package, utility category maneuvers are still FAA approved when the aircraft is loaded at or below 2000 pounds. Gross weight increases are offered on 172K, L, M, N, and P models (1969 and newer).
All of these benefits are put into perspective by comparing our AIR PLAINS 180 equipped 172 with a stock Cessna Skylane (182).
| Cessna 182 | Air Plains 180HP | |
|---|---|---|
| (typical performance) | (typical performance) | |
| Cruise | 155 m.p.h. | 150 m.p.h. |
| Fuel Consumption | 13 g.p.h. | 9.5 - 10 g.p.h. |
| Useful load | 1100-1200 pounds | 1000-1100 pounds |
| Engine TBO | 1500 hours | 2000 hours |
The comparison of the two aircraft is much closer than you might have expected. By upgrading your 172 with our conversion, you can avoid the higher maintenance and operating costs of the Skylane, while still being able to enjoy and benefit from comparable flight performance.
We're often asked what makes the AIR PLAINS 180 different from the competition. Our complete kit concept, our design for long term durability, and our personal service set us apart. We pride ourselves in offering and supporting the most complete, comprehensive, and well built conversion on the market. Our 100% complete customer satisfaction record speaks for itself. Many of our conversion customers, nationwide, come back to Kansas and Air Plains each year for periodic maintenance and inspections. We can offer a complete list of satisfied customer referrals for any area in the United States, and most areas of the world!
AIR PLAINS 180 conversions include only FAA, PMA, and factory approved parts. We maintain our own Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA), awarded to us by the FAA. The PMA guarantees the quality of all the parts you will receive with your installation. To sum it all up, Air Plains delivers quality parts that fit right . No shortcuts have been taken in providing our conversion customers with the best possible kit available.
If you decide to have our conversion installed at a faciliry closer to you, Air Plains will deliver. From our improved blueprints down to our exclusive continued airworthiness manual, our installation package is the most extensive in the marketplace. No "magical" work or parts are needed. An A&P mechanic with basic tools will have no problems following our detailed instructions, minimizing your downtime. We offer toll free telephone support, should our assistance be needed during your modification and installation.
Installing our 180 horse conversion will give your 172 a fresh start, increased performance, reliability, and simple operation. These advantages, along with the experience and dedication of our staff, make our kit the finest available.
The Air Plains 180HP kit, as outlined in the following pages, will refurbish your aircraft from the engine mount forward. To make the installation components list a bit easier to understand, consider the following:
Outline of 180HP kit (continuation of above)
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