Replacing Skylights

[7133]

Looking at replacing the Skylights in my 140.
What is the easiest way to do it?
Can we de-rivet one half of the surround and slide the old plastic out and new in, rather than remove all of the rivets?
What type of material is the best ie Acrylic, Polycarbonate?
Any suggestions appreciated.
Michael

[8474]

I can't give you any advise on replacing the skylights themselves, but I just finished replacing the headliner which you will have to remove to get the skylights out. My headliner was missing when I bought the airplane as the skylights had been replaced. The new skylights had been installed using bolts, not rivets if that is any help. Let me tell you that was a huge job replacing the headliner. I followed what Lorraine Morris shows in her video and the biggest issue is making up the aluminum pieces that surround the skylights, that was literally a full day of trial and error to get them to fit and even then I didn't get it anywhere as neat as Lorraine did. I ended up having to glue it up in places.

So having said all that, if your headliner is in good shape and you don't need to replace it then maybe you can drop it down to gain access to the skylights and then re-install it. If you are considering this I would highly recommend buying Lorraines DVD.

[2356]

Acrylic is the best. Lexan yellows and scratches easily.

[6298]

I have replaced them on a few and removing half of the rivets works well. I agree with the Acrylic. If you spill fuel on the Lexan it will crack and you will need to do it again.

[7133]

Thanks for the replies.
I am glad that removing half the rivets works!
Acrylic it is.
I have done the headliner before and have Lorraine's DVD so all good there.
Michael Sheppard
1948 Cessna 140 VH-TMO