5Y-BLG, Cessna 210M

     BLG is AIM AIR's Cessna 210.  It has been in the fleet for many years and has been a faithful servant to the ministry.  It came due for a Check 3 inspection sometime around spring of 2009.  Well, most airplanes at AIM AIR that require Check 3 inspection seem to get pushed into the corner and only get worked when all other maintenance is done, as there really isn't enough people for someone to be constantly devoted to that project.  BLG wasn't really any different; however, when the accident occured in August 2009, that just pushed it to the side a bit more.  You see, Ryan Williams was the one doing most of the tinkering on BLG, and after his death, none of the rest of us really have too much Cessna 210 experience. 
     So...it sort of became the prodigal child, taking up hangar space, but not much else.  Well, in the past 6 months, we've been working little by little with it to get it back to flight status.  Especially now, with the issue regarding US-registered aircraft not being able to do much flying in Kenya, the need has escalated for BLG to be operational again.  We have begun pushing hard now to get BLG back into the air (operationally, that is) so that AIM AIR can have another Kenyan-registered plane available. 
     Below are some pictures of the work we've been doing.  A Cessna 210 is a new can of worms for me.  This is the first one I've worked on, and while it is very close to a Cessna 206, there are some oddities that Cessna developed that create "wonderful" learning situations.  Anyway, it is a neat airplane, and I'm looking forward to it being back in the fleet, contributing to the mission that AIM AIR is serving throughout East Africa. 

Here it is where BLG currently sits, in the back of the hangar.  Notice that the left gear leg has been removed.  We are in the process of replacing the pivot assembly. 

I changed out the old pilot inertia reel and seatbelt assembly with a new one.  Actually, it is an STC to install two inertia reels, one for the pilot and one for the co-pilot.  This is the "before" picture.

Here's what the new inertia reel looks like.  It is an STC by B.A.S., Inc.  It was a pretty straight forward installation for the most part.  The directions were a little hard to interpret, but we made it happen. 

Tim Carpenter caught this picture of me on top of BLG while I was drilling the holes for the new inertia reel kit.  Hang on, hang on!

And here's the "after" picture.  The old style reel assembly came out from the plastic escutcheon in the middle of the ceiling.  Now, the new ones are mounted on either side of the escutcheon.  Much more effecient.

This is what BLG looks like on the inside.  Since I took this picture, I've put the covers back up next to the compass and the OAT gauge in the top of the windshield, and also the sun visors.  I'm currently working on getting the insulation and side panels back together as well. 

Sometimes you just have sit down and read the manual.  This is currently my "office" next to BLG, where my toolboxes live and I can work comfortably.  As you can see, I am sporting my custom-made, one of a kind, none others in the world, hoodie with the logo from my A&P school, Missionary Aviation Institute.  I am proud to represent my school to those around me who went to some other school called "Moody" something or "LeTourneau" who?  I'm proud to be an MAI A&P grad!