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0850559-1 – Textron Aviation OEM Alternate Air Control Cable Assembly
Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.
Overview
The Textron Aviation 0850559-1 is a flight-critical, OEM push-pull control cable assembly designed to actuate the alternate induction air system on a wide range of Cessna single-engine aircraft. This is not a simple flexible cable; it is a precisely engineered mechanical linkage that allows the pilot to select an alternate source of engine induction air in the event the primary filtered air intake becomes blocked by ice or other obstructions. The integrity and flawless operation of this control are paramount, as its activation is a critical, immediate-action item during an engine power-loss emergency.
The assembly consists of a solid, corrosion-resistant steel (CRES) inner core wire housed within a multi-layer, flexible outer conduit. This advanced conduit features a low-friction PTFE (Teflon®) liner to ensure a smooth, binding-free action, and is reinforced with a helical wire wrap that gives it the column strength to transmit "push" forces without buckling. The assembly is terminated with a distinctive T-handle for positive grip in the cockpit and a threaded fitting at the engine end for precise rigging. As the direct link to a critical emergency system, there is no substitute for the certified quality of this genuine Textron part.
Key Features
Genuine Textron Aviation OEM Part: The only part certified and approved for this application, guaranteeing correct length, travel, and material specifications for a safe and airworthy installation.
Flight-Critical Emergency Control: Provides the sole means of actuating the alternate air source to prevent engine failure due to induction system blockage.
Low-Friction PTFE Liner: The conduit is lined with Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ensuring a smooth, low-effort push-pull action that will not bind or seize, even in extreme cold.
Solid CRES Core Wire: Utilizes a solid, corrosion-resistant steel inner member designed to transmit both tensile (pull) and compressive (push) forces without failure.
Ergonomic T-Handle: Provides a positive, non-slip grip for the pilot, ensuring rapid and reliable actuation during an emergency.
Integrated Firewall Seal: Designed to seal against the firewall, preventing the ingress of engine noise, fumes, and carbon monoxide into the cockpit.
Technical Specifications
Part Number: 0850559-1
Component Type: Push-Pull Control Cable Assembly
OEM Manufacturer: Textron Aviation (Cessna)
Application: Alternate Induction Air Control
Conduit Liner Material: PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
Core Wire Material: Corrosion-Resistant Steel (CRES)
Handle Type: T-Handle
Aircraft Compatibility
This alternate air control cable is the specified OEM part for a wide range of Cessna piston aircraft, including but not limited to:
Cessna: 172R, 172S, R172, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, T206H
Note: This compatibility list is for general reference. Applicability can vary by aircraft serial number. The aircraft's specific Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) is the sole and final authority for determining part applicability.
Applications
Engine Air Induction Control: Provides direct mechanical actuation of the alternate air door located within the engine's induction airbox.
Emergency System: Serves as the pilot's primary control for restoring engine power in the event of induction icing or a blocked air filter.
Why Choose 0850559-1?
The alternate air control is a pilot's lifeline during an induction icing encounter. A failed control cable in this situation would be catastrophic. The Textron Aviation 0850559-1 is engineered for this no-fail mission. Using a non-certified, "will-fit" cable introduces extreme risks: an unlined conduit can bind and seize, an inferior core wire can buckle or snap under load, and improper seals can allow deadly carbon monoxide to enter the cockpit. The genuine OEM cable is the only part guaranteed to be made with the specified low-friction materials and to have passed Textron's rigorous quality control standards, ensuring it will function when it is needed most.
The engineering principle that enables the 0850559-1's reliable push-pull function is the composite construction of its flexible conduit. The conduit's outer sheath provides abrasion resistance, but its core is a helical-wrapped flat steel wire. This wrap creates a structure that behaves like a tightly coiled spring, giving the conduit exceptional longitudinal compressive strength (column strength) to resist the "push" force exerted by the inner core wire, preventing the entire assembly from buckling. This is complemented by the low-friction extruded PTFE liner. The liner's extremely low coefficient of static friction (stiction) is critical for a rarely-used emergency control, ensuring that the initial force required to move the cable is minimal and the action is smooth and predictable, without the jerky motion that a binding, unlined cable would exhibit.
Note: The 0850559-1 is a flight-critical engine control. Installation must be performed by a certified A&P mechanic. The cable must be routed in accordance with the maintenance manual, avoiding sharp bends or chafing points. It must be securely clamped to the airframe and engine. Proper rigging at both the control handle and the alternate air door is essential to ensure a full range of travel. A full post-installation operational check is mandatory.
Documentation
No public-facing OEM specification sheet was located for this proprietary part number. All authoritative technical data, installation, routing, and rigging procedures are contained within the official Textron Aviation Maintenance Manual and Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) for the applicable aircraft models.
