The Cessna Cardinal series aircraft have a sheet metal panel in which holes are punched for the instruments, in addition to the standard avionics opening. It is considered "structural" because it is fully riveted in place (I am not talking about the plastic overlay).
I would like to cut the panel out, leaving a 1 inch lip of the old panel, and fabricate a bolt in new panel to accommodate some of the newer avionics, do away with the vacuum instruments, etc. which could be changed later when the next generation comes, etc.
My current AP and IA is ok with this being a "minor mod". So here is my question:
what is the rule on the determination that it is minor? Is it that once an AP logs it in as a minor mod, that all that is required, or is it possible that if I change IA (death, move, pre-buy on sale) a subsequent IA may refuse to certify the airworthiness because in her mind, it should never have been treated as minor?
can a DER or DAR approve it as a field modification so that it is permanently "approved", if not, who can do that? I just want to be sure there is no problem down the road. My personal opinion is that an AP has the training to determine these things and her opinion should stand. But I know my opinion doesn't count. Thank you
I would like to cut the panel out, leaving a 1 inch lip of the old panel, and fabricate a bolt in new panel to accommodate some of the newer avionics, do away with the vacuum instruments, etc. which could be changed later when the next generation comes, etc.
My current AP and IA is ok with this being a "minor mod". So here is my question:
what is the rule on the determination that it is minor? Is it that once an AP logs it in as a minor mod, that all that is required, or is it possible that if I change IA (death, move, pre-buy on sale) a subsequent IA may refuse to certify the airworthiness because in her mind, it should never have been treated as minor?
can a DER or DAR approve it as a field modification so that it is permanently "approved", if not, who can do that? I just want to be sure there is no problem down the road. My personal opinion is that an AP has the training to determine these things and her opinion should stand. But I know my opinion doesn't count. Thank you
Last edited: