Visit to Downstown: Rebuild Ag Cats

When I visited Downstown at the end of April, I learned that they rebuild Ag Cats from the firewall back. This includes all sheet metal, painting and the like. In addition the take care of "minor" engine maintenance such as magnetos, carburetors, cylinder changes, etc. They do not do major engine or propeller over hauls. Engines are sent to Aero Engines in Los Angeles for major work. Propellers are sent to South Coast Propeller Works in Alabama when a major overhaul is needed.

As I understand it, Downstown ships at least one engine a year to Aero Engines who ships the engine back to Downstown when it is ready.

Ag Cat Airframe ready for rebuild at Downstown (May 2012)

My friends at Downstown thought that you'd like to see the above photo of an Ag Cat airframe that they have just started rebuilding. It was brought into their shop a couple of weeks ago for rebuilding. As you can see in the photo, it was stripped down to just the frame. It will be built-up, inspected then re-painted. They already have an engine for it from Aero Engines. I am told that it takes 3 mechanics working full time 3 to 4 months to do a rebuild. But during the summer the mechanics only work on in when the weather is not suitable for flying. Downstown's mechanics will get moving again on this rebuild in September when flying begins to slow down. This aircraft won't be ready until at least January 2013. When the rebuild is done it will be an A model 600 hp Ag Cat. They do a similar rebuild on all of their Ag Cats every 7 to 10 years.

Here are some more photos of an Ag-Cat that was sitting on the ramp the day of my visit. This Ag Cat, including the engine placard for her Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine, was also being rebuilt. As you can see from the photos, it was pretty far along in the rebuild process.