How Cessna builds 'em

Steve · #1 12-10-2007, 07:10 AM

I toured the Cessna factory in Independence, KS last weekend. Just a few notes from the 172-182-206 production lines:

1. They bolt the engine mount to the finished engine then attach the assembly to the firewall.

2. They make their own wiring harnesses one wire at a time using pattern boards but they use white plastic tie wraps, not string for bundling.

3. You can have any color seats and interior as long as it is tan with a painted gray instrument panel.

4. They only build glass cockpit (G-1000) planes. Even the lowly 172.

Steve

cjensen · #2 12-10-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

I toured the Cessna factory in Independence, KS last weekend. Just a few notes from the 172-182-206 production lines:

1. They bolt the engine mount to the finished engine then attach the assembly to the firewall.

<snip>

That's how I would do it too, IF I had the engine on hand and ready to install. Unfortunately for me, like many, I don't have an engine sitting around when it's time to install the engine mount to the FW.

I DO think this is the easiest way to fit the mounts and bolts...

I'd LOVE to take a tour of ANY airplane manufacture plant!

cytoxin · #3 12-10-2007, 09:12 AM

i think it is easier to have the mount on the plane first as you need to compress the bushings on dyna 1-2 mounts to get the bolts to go in. the conical no prob. with the mount on the firewall you have a little help by the weight of the eng/plane. once you try it, if you havent already, you'll see what i mean.

#4 12-10-2007, 09:15 AM

Hey, you weren't that far from me, I take a tour of the place about once a semester. You didn't happen to go through Pittsburg did you?

Steve · #5 12-10-2007, 12:13 PM

We arrived in Tulsa via United Friday night and drove to Independence arriving about 2300. Saturday morning found us at the Customer Delivery Center checking out the new CAP 182 we were to deliver back to Utah. Flew the plane, took pictures, took the tour, went to lunch. Decided to wait out the wx until Sunday AM. Smooth ride but it took 9.0 hours to get home with 50-60 kt headwinds. Nicely equipped plane with G-1000 (AP and XM music and wx).

Steve

Jeff R · #6 12-10-2007, 12:32 PM

I grew up in Neodesha, about 20 miles to the north of the Independence airport. Went to KU for my engineering degree. I rememer flying to Independence as a student once. Landed and came back home as there was hardly anything there (but still more than at good old 2K7). Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

the_other_dougreeves · #7 12-10-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff R

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Should that be "Rock Chalk Skyhawk"?

TODR

WildBill · #8 12-10-2007, 10:41 PM

Attaching the mount to the engine prior to attaching the mount to the fuse may allow for more a accurate torque of the bolts between the mount and the engine as you don't have any appreciable weight to affect that torque.

cytoxin · #9 12-11-2007, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildBill

Attaching the mount to the engine prior to attaching the mount to the fuse may allow for more a accurate torque of the bolts between the mount and the engine as you don't have any appreciable weight to affect that torque.

but when more than 1 bolt is in, there is preload on the bolts. i torqued the nuts not the bolts. either way will work. one is easier. either mine or yours, i have not installed one "mount off the plane." just put in your fittings before installing the mount either way.

WildBill · #10 12-11-2007, 08:16 AM

While the mount is installed on the fuse, the difficulty in zeroing the loads of gravity or excess jacking pressure will affect the accuracy of the torque on the engine-to-mount bols/nuts.

If the mount is not on the fuse, those loads are negligable.

Doing it that way can take the mount torque variable out of an engine-sag issue.