Removal of long range tanks C206 Soloy?

[CharlieFox]

We use a C206 Soloy (with Allison turbine 250-C20S) for paradrop. Standard fuel tanks are integrated tanks in the wings. Additional tanks are 2 bladdertanks (rubber) in both wings. The last 10 years those 2 longe range tanks has given us a lot of troubles and costs (leaking, fuel imbalance etc.). How is the procedure (administrative, law) to remove those 2 longe range tanks because we don't need them for the operation. Technicaly it seems not a hell of a job but several persons told us that the modification back to standard tanks is an expensive and time taking night mare. Someone experience with this?

 

[der8110]

First check if the Soloy conversion REQUIRES long range tanks. Probably not. But if so, S.O.L. unless you want to do your own STC.

Otherwise, the long range tanks are just another factory option, you would use the IPC to find out which parts to remove and how to make identical to the standard tanks only configuration. Filler ports can probably just be covered over with a sheet metal patch. Biggest headache will be the Airplane Flight Manual (POH) and/or supplements. But again, being a factory configuration, those should already exist.

Should be quite a simple 337 which can be Field Approved by your FSDO, but they way things are going, nothing is so simple anymore.