Vacuum pump STC

[gt]

I would like to make my 1960 Cessna 172A IFR. Currently, I have only
venturi vacuum. My A & P stated that as there is no STC for a vacuum
pump intall, I need a form 337 field approval...I think it is form 337,
I could be wrong on that. Does anyone have information relating to
STC's and field approvals for vacuum pump installations on a
Continental 300-C?

[Michael[_1_]]

For the kind of IFR you can fly in that kind of airplane, and
considering how docile it is partial panle, I would suggest you stick
with a venturi to drive your vacuum gyros with a large venturi, and put
in an electric T&B. That is a perfectly viable setup (I once trained
an IFR student in a Pacer set up that way) and will not require field
approvals.

A 337 is a record of major alteration (the installation of a Venturi
and some gyros is generally considered minor, though your FSDO may
differ, and thus requires only a logbook entry) and has to be backed up
with either the type cert, an STC, or a field approval. Unless your
mechanic has an in at the FSDO, you won't get a field approval.

You can look up all the STC's available for your airplane at:
http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/ (click on the STC link a few lines down
the page). There may be one for your airplane/engine (look it up both
ways).

In the long run, it will probably be cheaper to sell your airplane and
buy one that is already IFR capable.

Michael

gt wrote:
> I would like to make my 1960 Cessna 172A IFR. Currently, I have only
> venturi vacuum. My A & P stated that as there is no STC for a vacuum
> pump intall, I need a form 337 field approval...I think it is form 337,
> I could be wrong on that. Does anyone have information relating to
> STC's and field approvals for vacuum pump installations on a
> Continental 300-C?

[Bill[_4_]]

Are you sure the 300C has a vacuum pump pad? I know the 300D does.
Check the type certificate data sheets. Without a pad, this would be
really difficult--tho I have seen a belt drive setup on a C170. Make
it like
new 172s, with the same vacuum regulator, etc. Easier to STC.

As the other poster suggested, the in not a legal requirement to have a
pump.
I think an electric turn coordinator would be a great idea.

Bill Hale

gt wrote:
> I would like to make my 1960 Cessna 172A IFR. Currently, I have only
> venturi vacuum. My A & P stated that as there is no STC for a vacuum
> pump intall, I need a form 337 field approval...I think it is form 337,
> I could be wrong on that. Does anyone have information relating to
> STC's and field approvals for vacuum pump installations on a
> Continental 300-C?

[Ron Natalie]

Bill wrote:
> Are you sure the 300C has a vacuum pump pad? I know the 300D does.
> Check the type certificate data sheets. Without a pad, this would be
> really difficult--tho I have seen a belt drive setup on a C170. Make
> it like
> new 172s, with the same vacuum regulator, etc. Easier to STC.
>
I've seen two early 172's with the belt drive off the front of
the engine...I don't think it's too uncommon.