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.

	General view of nose leg from left Note experimental silencer beneath fuselage – reduction in aircraft noise is becoming a serious issue in Europe
	Lower attachment from right Note lengthened steering arms and heat shroud around gascolator with ducted cold air supply.
	Lower attachment from rear Showing steering arms, shimmy damper and flexible exhausts (the newspaper around the silencer was masking prior to painting in the area and should have been removed by the photographer’s assistant!)
	Lower left firewall attachment plus additional central attachment to base of firewall
	Close-up of lower nose leg attachment
	Upper attachment of nose leg