So I have an ancient Bendix ADF-T-12 in my Tri-Pacer that I would like to remove to save some weight and make room for an ipad mini.

I checked Part 43, Appendix A, Paragraph C, and it says that this is OK for me to do since this is a tray-mounted ADF and simply slides out.

(c) Preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is limited to the following work, provided it does not involve complex assembly operations:

...

31) Removing and replacing self-contained, front instrument panel-mounted navigation and communication devices that employ tray-mounted connectors that connect the unit when the unit is installed into the instrument panel, (excluding automatic flight control systems, transponders, and microwave frequency distance measuring equipment (DME)). The approved unit must be designed to be readily and repeatedly removed and replaced, and pertinent instructions must be provided. Prior to the unit's intended use, and operational check must be performed in accordance with the applicable sections of part 91 of this chapter.

So I have three questions -

1) The wording seems imprecise in the FAR. Am I allowed to remove the ADF without replacing it? "Removing and replacing" can either mean I am allowed to remove the ADF, and I am also allowed to replace it. Or it can mean I can only remove it in order to replace it.


2) any issues with doing something like this? I was planning on just making a logbook entry that I removed the ADF, and keeping the ADF in the hangar if I ever want to slide it back in.

3) are covers made to fill the hole?

If you remove it you MAY have to compute a new weight and balance. That is a mechanic job.

If you're going to remove it permanently, why notREALLY remove it,,,like cables, antennas, racks and all. You'll save some weight, and it'll be cleaner. You can do all the removing. Just have a mechanic look it over and compute a new w/b.

MTV

Yeah I agree, I would ultimately rather get rid of everything related to the ADF... might even pick up a knot losing the antenna.

Since I am new to owning a certified plane I don't have a mechanic yet but I'm half way to my first oil change interval so maybe that would be a good time to bring it up. Done many oil changes on vehicles but want to walk through an oil change with a mechanic before I feel comfortable doing it on my own.

One of the MOST important things you need to do as an airplane owner is to develop a relationship with a mechanic....a good one, who will work with you, keep you legal, and not try to drain your bank account too much. Talk to some local pilots and find out all you can about the mechanics in your area. Then pick one who comes with good reviews, and start off by buying him/her lunch.

I have been blessed with GREAT mechanics working on my airplanes, for which I am eternally grateful.

This would be a good project to open a relationship with a wrench, in my opinion.

Good luck.

MTV

I suggest you give high priority to finding a mechanic who is readily available, who is willing to supervise your work, that you like and can trust. One that has experience with your type of plane would be great, but I think the other attributes are more important for the day to day operations and questions.

Your changing oil on an airplane for the first time should be supervised by a mechanic. He can give you hints on safety wiring, suggestions about dealing with the oil filter, hands-on demonstration of tearing apart the oil filter, remind you of the engine oil screen, etc. If you take it to him, you can get the engine compartment cleaned.

There's a whole bunch of other stuff that generally gets done at the time of one of my oil changes (off the top of my head):
gascolator screen gets cleaned,
spark plugs get cleaned, gap checked, and swapped around,
mufflers checked,
engine mounts torque checked,
tail wheel gets gone over
and oil gets sent off for analysis

Any issues with removing the ADF.......Yes, most definitely!

You won't be able to listen to "Gun Talk" and "Armed American Radio", what else were ADF's for?

Personally, I like my ADF--I had it installed several years ago, and I've used it a number of times. Of course, there are fewer and fewer NDB approaches these days, but they're still pretty handy for situational awareness on long cross countries. Now that I have XM tunes in the airplane, I don't try to find local C&W stations like I used to do, back in the Achey Breaky Heart days.

Cary

mtv wrote:One of the MOST important things you need to do as an airplane owner is to develop a relationship with a mechanic...a good one, who will work with you, keep you legal, and not try to drain your bank account too much. Talk to some local pilots and find out all you can about the mechanics in your area.Then pick one who comes with good reviews, and start off by buying him/her lunch...

I agree 110% if not more! If you are mechanically-inclined, you can do a lot of your own work with the help of an A&P/IA to supervise. Developing a good rapport with the right mechanic (or mechanics) is
one of the main things that will make flying even semi-affordable.

I removed the ADF from my C-172 last year at the annual. I agree with removing the whole installation. Wiring, rack, etc... lucky for me I had a combined loop antenna so no long wire to remove. A small patch on the belly and a new weight and balance and all done. (was a King KR-86 ADF, I could not even give that thing away.....)

Matt

Weight and Balance needs to be recomputed. Trash all the ADF stuff, don't just pull it out. An A&P needs to redo the W&B, have him supervise you removing that deadweight.

But Guntalk is cool....

my two cents,
gunny

Thanks guys, searching for a mechanic now, after I find a good one I will mention it and we will do it right and remove everything. Tough to choose between Gun Talk and 5 pounds of dead weight, but want to get the plane as light as I can get it. Eventually would like to get rid of the Narco MK12D nav/com and replace it with a Garmin SL40 and a garmin aero portable with in-panel mount. That would probably save another 5 pounds.