EAA AirVenture: A Study in Cargo and Packing

With the rear seat removed, the 1953 Cessna 170B has almost exactly the same amount of cargo volume as a Subaru Crosstrek SUV.

Jason McDowell

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

With the rear seat removed, the Cessna 170 transforms into a capable cargo hauler and unlocks new flying experiences. [Courtesy: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

The author's EAA AirVenture experience highlighted the importance of generous cargo space and meticulous packing for a comfortable and well-equipped trip.
They advocate for purchasing an airplane one can "grow into" (like their larger Cessna 170), even if it's initially more expensive and only fully utilized occasionally.
The extra space in the Cessna 170 significantly enhanced their annual Oshkosh trip, allowing for more comfortable gear, remote work capabilities, and the ability to assist friends.

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With the rear seatbacks lowered, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek SUV sports 54.7 cubic feet of cargo volume. Coincidentally, with the rear seat removed, the 1953 Cessna 170B has almost exactly the same amount of cargo volume.

These are the kinds of things one learns when one must beg friends for a ride home from a distant rural airport immediately following EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.