onebadjudge70 wrote:Still have to have a new W&B done to get the total, but heres whats been done so far:

Skytech Starter
PlanePower Alternator
Odyssey SBS-J16 Battery
Removed Loran 604
Removed ADF

I'm guessing an easy 40 - 50 lbs gone.


1970 Cessna 172K 180hp C/S Prop

Very interesting... searched for Odyssey batteries but can't tell which one will do for me, and they don't tag them for aeronautical use. I have a TU206G and will remove the Loran and Adf too, but the remaining three options are new to me.

Canalguna wrote:

onebadjudge70 wrote:Still have to have a new W&B done to get the total, but heres whats been done so far:

Skytech Starter
PlanePower Alternator
Odyssey SBS-J16 Battery
Removed Loran 604
Removed ADF

I'm guessing an easy 40 - 50 lbs gone.


1970 Cessna 172K 180hp C/S Prop

Very interesting... searched for Odyssey batteries but can't tell which one will do for me, and they don't tag them for aeronautical use. I have a TU206G and will remove the Loran and Adf too, but the remaining three options are new to me.

The Odyssey SBS J16 is certified for A/C use. I plan to use one in my 206.

Kevin wrote:This thread can stay interesting if we continue with the mechanical part of losing weight. We as pilots all know don't eat donuts and bacon. For me I'm rebuilding my champ that my dad bought in 1961. The only thing I plan on adding over stock is a shoulder harness.

I used to build a lot of model airplanes where the motto was (to some of us anyway) "Sweat the ounces and the pounds take care of themselves"

The Champ is an excellent study. The old 65hp non electric planes have a very respectable useful load. The latest LSA version was an underwhelming success because the useful load was one average dude and a ham sandwich. If you also fuel the sandwich has to come off. A battery, starter, alternator and several feet of heavy wire are most of it. Having an electrical system opens up that other can of worms of stuff you "need".

On my Citabria I am already running a lightweight starter and alternator. Going with a lightweight battery would allow me to move it to the firewall and save several feet of heavy wire.

My Narco Mk12d was reliable until this summer when the transmit side started acting up. Out it came along with the indicator, and in place is now a Val 2000.

Ditching the carpet saves about 4 pounds (I've read). ACA sells carbon fiber floor boards for another several pounds. Aluminum landing gear is several more (but big money).

My Desser 8.50x6 tires were chosen specifically because the weight penalty was almost zero.

I would cheerfully ditch my speaker housing but have to refer to the Equipment List to see if it is required.

When it comes time to re-cover the plane I will be carefully considering the weight differences. I guess Oratex is the lightest, and expect an STC to be available by then (if it isn't already). I'll be keeping spruce spars, but will go with Rainbow Ron's version.

soyAnarchisto wrote:Well nothing yet. I would like to upgrade to a bigger 4-place plane - so I'm shopping for 180s and Maules. My question is if I were to buy an IFR certified plane, can you legally rip out all the IFR equipment and effectively save the weight by flying VFR? I was debating this with my brother over a beer - my thoughts were that its certainly possible. But to confirm I'd need to see the POH or AFM for the specific plan to see if the ifr radios are listed as required equipment. But if I need to be shopping for a vfr plane, I'd like to know that. My thoughts were to buy an ifr plane to get my ifr ticket in -then rip it all out to lighten the load and fly vfr.

I dunno - I said it was a dumb question.

As you noted, the answer to your question will depend on what's listed as "required equipment". Sometimes, those are listed for operation, such as for VFR...blah, blah, and for IFR, blah, blah, blah.

Also, in your earlier post, you mentioned MEL. First, your airplane has to have a current MEL. Those are specific to airplane, not to type. Can you remove equipment that are listed on the MEL as approved operation without? Yes, if that's an option on the MEL, AND if you have a certified Weight and balance sheet with that equipment removed.

In other words, not worth the hassle.

Frankly, unless you have more than one essentially identical airplane, an MEL isn't worth the time/hassle to get approved. That's for a small GA plane,

MTV

mtv wrote:Reply

soyAnarchisto wrote:Post from 2014

Keep in mind that some of these threads have several year old posts. Your response is helpful for future searchers, but this particular user posted ~5 years ago

On my 170B I removed ; side panels except doors , carpet , A huge compass with remote in tail section , three adf s , old narco , rear seat , misc wiring under dash. I put in coin dot flooring and a single rear seat , foam sidewalls and new radio. I came out about 60 lbs lighter , estimated. I would still like to pull the right yoke and pedals and put a firewall battery in. This was enough weight loss to notice in my 180 avcon convert. Oh and will do an MT prop soon.
Forgot ; took out four ashtrays.

I got rid of my grumpy 51 year old overweight wife and found a 115lbs girlfriend.

jugheadF15 wrote:I got rid of my grumpy 51 year old overweight wife and found a 115lbs girlfriend.

LMAO!! I was waiting for someone to say something like that!! Hope you are doing well Jon!

jugheadF15 wrote:I got rid of my grumpy 51 year old overweight wife and found a 115lbs girlfriend.

Best mod yet!!

hotrod180 wrote:

jugheadF15 wrote:I got rid of my grumpy 51 year old overweight wife and found a 115lbs girlfriend.

Best mod yet!!

My wife is 115 pounds and runs the rivet gun so, I'm stuck there.
Guess it's an MT Prop for me.

My wife is the one who "approved" the purchase, she gets VIP seating

A1Skinner wrote:The Odyssey SBS J16 is certified for A/C use. I plan to use one in my 206.

Seems great, but are you running on 12volts? I need 24 on my TU206G. Hopefully they are not haz-mat (like the new Concorde ones), if they are then I'd better stop dreaming about getting one shipped down here.

Also sorry for my ignorance but do I need them to be PMA certified for my airplane? Or will a generic aeronautical certification do well? The Concorde ones are very specific for certain airplane models it seems.

Oh ya, I'm 12. Forgot about the newer ones being 24, sorry about that.

Got rid of the Gill battery, replaced with EarthX - saved 13 lbs.
Installed new battery under seat - saved 3 lbs of wire.
Replaced old starter with B & C - saved ???
Replaced old generator with B & C alternator - saved ???
Replaced Borer prop with Catto (soon to be installed) - will save 22 lbs.
Reduced pilot weight - pending (!)

(PA-12/18 clone homebuilt)

Carbon inst. Panel, small ESI, so only round gauge left is Hobbs meter. GRT Mini flight display, NOT a big ass flat screen but 3-4 inches square, so no more steam ASI or ROC. and still provides much more info then I ever need. Ditched the compass, not required, not needed.Earthx of course, on in firewall, and mechanical master switch. Saved about 20 lbs, in a sub 800 lb plane. More recently, ditched Swiss muffler, 6 lbs, and I can always reinstall it if I choose, in 5 minutes, still, always have had, stock Rotax muffler.