BeechTalk - BT - Can Kelly Air Condx be removed from Skylane?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Sep 2020, 12:15

I am looking at a 2016 Cessna 182T to buy. Its only blemish is that it has Kelly Air Conditioning, which puts the CG too far aft for my loading needs. I don't know much about Kelly A/C, but it looks as though 50-60 lb of it has been placed behind the luggage bulkhead.

Is it realistic to consider entirely removing this air conditioning system? I know that there is at least one vent in the fuselage for it, so that presents cosmetic issues, and repairing/replacing aluminum sections.

Any thoughts on this?

D.H.
Los Angeles

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Sep 2020, 12:42

Username Protected wrote:

I am looking at a 2016 Cessna 182T to buy. Its only blemish is that it has Kelly Air Conditioning, which puts the CG too far aft for my loading needs. I don't know much about Kelly A/C, but it looks as though 50-60 lb of it has been placed behind the luggage bulkhead.

Is it realistic to consider entirely removing this air conditioning system? I know that there is at least one vent in the fuselage for it, so that presents cosmetic issues, and repairing/replacing aluminum sections.

Any thoughts on this?

D.H.
Los Angeles

If it was installed under a STC or Field Approval it can be removed with another Form 337(s) being filled out.
If it was factory installed and isn't listed as a required item on the Type Certificate Data Sheet then it can all be removed.
Your A&P should be able to figure this out.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Sep 2020, 12:45

Thanks, Rich. It was factory-installed.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Sep 2020, 16:36

But is it listed as Required??? I am guessing, not Required.

Removing AC might be a bigger than expected project. A buddy removed it from his PA28 and removal required changing drive pulley and belts on the engine and removing all the associated power and control wiring.

Get a firm-ish quote before proceeding.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Sep 2020, 16:41

As a matter of economics, it seems like the air-conditioned 182 would sell to someone who values the air-conditioning, and that you'd be able to find a different 182 that meets your needs at a significant discount due to not having A/C.

But who says airplane purchases ever make sense

If this is the plane for you I'm confident any add-ons like air conditioning can be removed.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Sep 2020, 17:36

Given the expense of taking it out and patching everything where the AC goes, it would likely be far more economical to pass on it and find a Skylane that isn't configured with AC.

It's actually a nice AC system. But the installation is pretty invasive. If you don't want it, better to look for one without it.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2020, 07:53

Call Yingling in Wichita. They removed one from my hangar neighbors 172. The airplane was only down 2-3 days. He is happier with no ac and we live in Houston.

Tom Dusin

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2020, 08:09

Holy cow! Prefers no A/C in Houston? I don’t begin to understand that one.... If you need more UL get a 182 or 206, don’t delete the AC. I mean, if you live in Duluth I get it but not Houston...

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2020, 09:39

This is the wrong thread!

It ought to be in the 'You cant make this up? :duck:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Sep 2020, 14:59

I'm acquainted with Walter Dodge, the guy behind this air conditioning - and quite the barbecue artist.

It is a nice system, all electric. The whole thing can be ground-powered without starting the engine or opening the cabin.

It is an STC, but optionally factory installed. It can also have a back-up alternator.

https://www.kellythermal.com/copy-of-ba ... hermalcool

They also made them for the Columbia 400/350 airplanes.

But all in all, it would be easier to just find a skylane without it. There are usually a decent number of them for sale at any time.