Riley A/C and radar pod removal

[mdrob1985]

Has anyone done a full removal of a Riley A/C system? If so, did it require all new belly skins when you pull the lower air intake? My A/C has not blown cold air since I bought the airplane last year. Compressor runs, fan blows, added freon, but doesn’t cool. Really don’t need the extra weight and hassle. Plus we now live in Alaska. Cool air is not a problem! Like to remove it all. Also like to remove the radar pod. The Bendix ART 161/Avidyne 600 combo still works and in color, but it’s certainly not like a GWX 75 and I just don’t need the weight and drag. I’d have to swap the Avidyne and one of my 650xi’s to make a Garmin 75 radar compatible plus add the larger nose cone to the pod. Too much $$ for too little use.

[hharney]

AP/IA should be able to do both as they are not required items. Weight and Balance post removal, I understand your request for any experience on this task and unfortunately I have none but there should be someone out there that has removed a radar pod, not sure on the A/C. Where is the plane now, Alaska? Will it be coming back to lower 48 for winter?