I’m looking at replacing the engine in my 172 within the next 18 months with a 180hp O-360.  By doing that I can get an STC to raise my gross weight from 2300 to 2550 by limiting my flaps to 30 degrees.

My “normal” load is around 2100 - 2200 gross when loaded with all of the camping gear and looking for a grass strip to land on.  I plan to spend as much of my vacation time looking for new strips in the mountains to camp on after landing.  I have large tires and the Cleveland double puck brakes along with the Sportsman STOL kit and PowerFlow exhaust system.

I have no intentions of selling the plane.

I see myself with three options:

1.  Modify the flaps and go for the gross increase;

2.  Get the STC, stick it in the aircraft files, and do nothing unless I sell the plane.  If I decide to sell the plane, offer to have my mechanic perform the STC mod to the flaps if it helps with the sale;

3.  Do nothing, save the $100 or so that the STC will cost me.

What advice to you have for me – and why?

Don