| This aircraft simulates a 1954 Cessna model 170B with a 145 hp Continental O-300-A normally aspirated 6-cylinder engine and fixed-pitch propeller. It is fitted with a STOL kit consisting of a leading edge cuff and molded wing tips. Empty weight comes in around 1,300 lbs. with a usable payload of around 800 lbs.
Two variations are available to fly, a 29" bushwheel version and a seaplane version with straight floats.
The fixed-pitch prop is selected for climb performance over cruise speed, so expect the top speed to be no more than 110-115 knots.
The flight model is intended to feel underpowered and stable to fly due to the stock engine. Give it a chance to build some speed and you'll be off.
MSFS 2020 is an excellent platform for low and slow VFR backcountry flying. If you see a flat spot below, there is a good chance you can successfully land there. Get out there and enjoy the back country!
"Super" 170 Modification (Optional)
To keep up with the hot-rod Carbon Cubs and KitFoxes, you can install the optional engine and prop mod. Adding this package to you Community folder will add a new STC Lycoming IO-360M1B fuel injected engine and modern propeller. This combo is tuned for short takeoffs and climb rate. Top speed will suffer a bit due to the fine pitch of the propeller.
Source files included
There are more features and details than I can add by myself, so included in the download is the Blender file used to build this version. Feel free to make modifications and add-ons. This is released under the BSD open source license, so you are free to use it how you like.
To install, unzip and copy the sal1800-cessna-170b-backcountry directory into your Community packages folder. Don't forget to read the manual, the main instruments are described and instructions for takeoffs and landings.
The in-cockpit pilot and copilot models are controlled by both the weight & balance settings and additionally by the toggle click spots inside the glove box.
Version 1.2 (Jan 26, 2022)
Thank you to everyone who downloaded the first version and provided feedback. I took a lot of your comments and suggestions and got back to work. There are many fixes but notably, the scale of the plane has been corrected and should seem closer to the actual size. I've tested the flight model to ensure it still handles great and should be even more fun to fly.
I included six liveries this time and a few different panel and interior options. You can mix and match texture files to match your own personal taste.
This was only possible due to the very generous help from the amazing texture artist twoseventyinc, who volunteered to give the textures a hi-res update and improve the model to make liveries easier.
User Reviews
Review data
Share your thoughts
If you’ve used this add-on, share your thoughts with other pilots.
Write a reviewQuassel89
Works perfectly and looks really great.
Both variants are really great and the optional motor variant is super.
Thanks for that.
Silky_PJs
Incredible aircraft just the way it is. Love the STC 195 mod. Glad to see someone else at least sticks to what is realistically possible with an aircraft. I do have a requesto for 2 items: Effects on the wheels when they touch the water, you know us backcountry fliers love to ski. Ideal would be spray similar to that of floats hitting the water. Secondly would be a small simple VFR map just to the left of center on the panel, as if a pilot had stuck a small tablet or phone with gps on it up there. I'm willing to pay you for those updates.
TOXICTATER
Nice plane looks good and performs great! But what is with the fov it's so weird.
Dexdoggy
Just took this for a first fly; this is a very classy airplane! Greatly appreciated, with all the little extra features to immerse myself into the sim!
alexms
Been flying this for a few days now after adding it to NeoFly. Love it - has everything I need with a bit of style and class, and flies beautifully.
There is one thing though (and I'm no expert at all) - C170 cruise speed at lower altitudes is around 104kts, but I'm struggling to realise 95 knots above 2500rpm. Is this correct? Thank you. Either way I love flying it.
Lennox_365
What a great plane! Used it alot the last couple weeks. I did a small cinematic as well for myself, maybe u wanna see it ^^ https://youtu.be/yI8McQe8Xe8
sal1800 7 month(s) ago
I love the video! You made it look so beautiful.
Cessna777
What a super little plane. Thanks for this.
HarroG
I would like to start of by saying that this is an amazing little aircraft, however there is 1 problem: I modified a bushtrip so I could use this aircraft. Sometimes when I load back into the next leg, the engine is off and I can't start it. Even CTR+E doesn't work. Fuel, mags, mix everything is in the correct position and the tanks are full. Not sure if this problem exists with Asobo aircraft as well. Restarting the previous leg solves the issue but it is a bit anoying. Any idea what might be the issue?
Edit: Using the repair and refuel command made it start again. It's probably an issue with bushflights in general instead of your plane.
sal1800 8 month(s) ago
Thanks for that report. I would not have known about that. There may be a problem in the .flt files. I only thought about the apron and runway versions. I can look into the other ones that may be involved with bush trips.
Would you consider sharing your bush trip if we can resolve the issue? Others may find it appealing.
Scooty
Hey, are you gonna update to the new prop engine (SU8) and those new physics (SU9)? Would be cool to have this nice little bird with the latest ingame technologies applied.
sal1800 9 month(s) ago
That's a good question. I was working on other projects with the new prop physics and those work well. I don't know about the newest CFD physics. I think many developers are waiting to see.
I did some work to try and improve the water physics for the floatplane version. It still wasn't perfect, so I haven't done anything with it yet.
Scooty 9 month(s) ago
Since the redesign of this website, it´s unfortunately become less easy to keep an overall overview here. I really didn´t know your Model 44 before. Thanks a lot for the hint.
Now i got 2 planes in my library i wanna ask for the new features from SU8 and SU9.
😍
rozy2k
This working okay with SU9?
sal1800 9 month(s) ago
I flew it yesterday and did not find anything broken from SU9. This plane doesn't do anything too custom with code, so it should stand up to these updates well.
SerenaFrank 9 month(s) ago
Like a dream !!! 😍
rozy2k 9 month(s) ago
Nice, thanks!
meighallo
Thank you very much! Looks great, and works well! Perfect for those like me that loves light aircraft and slow flying ^^
FirstDragoon583
Its great! I've only tested it for a few minutes, but man, for a freeware mod, does this have many features. not only does the mod work and look great, it has tiny features like vents and openable windows! I could make a whole movie-long video about this mod, but to cut it short, if you're looking for a fun little bush plane after the stock ones get boring, then this is the way to go!
pat299
This plane is really good in vr,
sirbruce
I'm not sure why this aircraft is so highly rated. It looks nice, but the flight model is terrible. Specifically, the trim characteristics are all wacky -- at max throttle the plane gains altitude even at -25 downtrim. What's worse is a wild self-induced oscillation that seems to make the plane bounce up and down regardless of trim settings. Perhaps it's because of the latest update but the plane is unflyable.
Steiny 9 month(s) ago
You are not using the "Legacy" flight model, are you? As that's what usually crapping out airplanes. Some are ported from FSX, those need the legacy model, others are made for FS2020, those usually use the "Modern" flight model. Just hope it helps, as others are extatic about this airplane.
sirbruce 9 month(s) ago
Not unless the plane set itself to Legacy, no I am not.
teddybear082
AWESOME CRAFT! Beautiful!! (Any way to get VR controllers working on yoke?)
This plane is amazing, looks so real, textures really pop, fun to fly. I use VR motion controllers to fly and everything works really well except for the yoke. I can "grab" it but as soon as I do, the yoke pulls right or left immediately and doesn't go front or back. Seems like one of those things where it is 99% there and there is something minor holding back that one last feature since the yoke otherwise fully animates and is grabbable. Would be totally wonderful if you could get that last piece work. THANKS AGAIN EITHER WAY!
MSFS SDK docs on VR yoke is here in case helpful:
VR Helpers
Within the aircraft cockpit model you will have to create 1 or 2 helpers as markers for the placement of the controllers, and another locator for the rotational axis. You should do this for each yoke or stick in the cockpit, following the guideline listed below:
VR Helpers (flightsimulator.com)
sal1800 10 month(s) ago
Thanks for the nice comments.
I did plan to add the VR controller compatibility. The yoke helpers are actually already in the model but I did not get to adding the config in aircraft.cfg because at the time I did not have my headset available.
The node names are HANDLING_Yoke_1_Hand_Left and HANDLING_Yoke_1_Hand_Right and the parent yoke node is HANDLING_Yoke_1. The animation names are HANDLING_Yoke_Lever_StickLR_1 and HANDLING_Yoke_Lever_StickLR_1. Just on the pilot's side though.
I have been working on improved water handling for the float version, so I can look into the VR support as well.
teddybear082 10 month(s) ago
oh sweet so I can update my config file on my own then? Cool! I will give that a try and report back!
teddybear082 10 month(s) ago
Hi there! This is the absolute closest I have come to a third-party aircraft on this website working with VR motion controllers. Incredible! I added these lines to the aircraft.cfg in the Cessna-170B-Backcountry folder:
[VR]
yoke node = "HANDLING_Yoke_1"
yoke_anim_x = "HANDLING_Yoke_Lever_StickLR_1"
yoke_anim_y = "HANDLING_YOKE_Lever_StickForeAft"
The left and right grips do in fact seem to work now, I can also move the yoke forward and back. Two minor remaining issues (one I'm not sure if its an actual issue):
(1) Not sure if an actual issue: Yoke movement forward and back is pretty slow. That could just be this particular craft though.
(2) Is an actual issue: left/right movement jerks quickly from full tilt left to full tilt right when moving the gripping controller slightly left or right. If this is connected to a config file change (how quickly it moves from left to right) just let me know and I can mess around with values if you want.
THANKS AGAIN!
TakeToTheSkies
Is the addon compatible with sim update 8?
teddybear082 11 month(s) ago
works fine with sim update 8, just flew it.
joe_bob
Top drawer
petey1
Thank you for your polite reply. I understand how hard it is to to produce a model of this quality. I know the repaints are coming. 😊
Griphos
So...dude! I fly a Aeronca 11AC Chief and this plane comes closest to mirroring its flight behavior than any other plane in this sim. I'm not sure what you've done, but you've really nailed it. It has great static and dynamic stability, nice inertia and responds very appropriately to pitch and power inputs. I don't know how you've managed it, but it also has much better ground handling than most tailwheel aircraft in this sim, which are mostly too sensitive and react to crosswinds unrealistically during takeoff and landing.
I've not flown a C170, but I've flown plenty of older C172s and some C140s, and you've done an excellent job of recreating the feel of flying a classic high-wing aircraft. As someone else said in a comment, someone should put you on their payroll and we'd have better flying planes available to us!
Thanks for your work on this and making it available to us. Doubt I'll be flying the Carenado C170 anymore! I'll just miss its excellent interior graphics, but not its flight model.
Rigberto
Lately I've been flying a '58 and '63 C172 in real life and they look just like a C170 but with a tricycle landing gear. Any chance you might give your model a tricycle gear and some minor tweaks to make a C172?
sal1800 12 month(s) ago
This is an interesting idea. I did read about how the 172 evolved from the 170. Do the early models have the same rounded vertical stab, or do they have the squared off one? And do you happen to know what kind of engine is in the planes you fly?
I personally like taildraggers, but I would certainly consider this if it's different enough to be interesting.
Rigberto 12 month(s) ago
It´s a squared off tail and the engine is a Continental O-300C with 145hp according to the manual. The panel looks just the same as the one in your C170
sal1800 12 month(s) ago
I found some reference images of the early tail shape. By reusing the interior model and with the same engine, this would not be too much work to do. I'm working on some other projects at the moment, but I'll consider this mod. Thanks!
Scooty 12 month(s) ago
Thanks a lot in advancew, right away.
The tricycle would be extremely nice to get.
edwinc67 10 month(s) ago
TIA Sal1800. Your work is very outstanding! I am following. TY! No issue if you want to charge. TY!