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How to Remove a Cessna-152 Compass

The Cessna 152 is a small, two-seater propeller airplane that is often used for flight training programs as well as for personal use. Most Cessna 152 planes have a compass that is mounted on the center of the windshield. The compass is bonded to the windshield with strong acrylic cement that cannot be dissolved. If you wish to remove the compass from the windshield of a junked plane, you will need to remove some of the glass. To pull the compass mount out without damaging it, the glass will have to be shaved down to approximately 1/64-inch thickness. Since the standard windshield on a 152 is 0.25 inches thick, you will need a 7/64-inch router bit that is carbide tipped to be able to cut through the glass.

Things You'll Need

Router
7/64-inch carbide-tipped router bit
Rough file
Hand saw
Respirator
Work gloves
Shop goggles

Instructions

- 1
  Place the 7/64-inch bit in the router. Every router is different, but you will likely have to insert the key provided with the router into one of the holes near the bit and loosen the locking mechanism. Place the new bit in the chuck and tighten again with the key.
- 2
  Climb up onto the top of the engine of the old plane. Put on your safety glasses, gloves and respirator to keep the glass away from your eyes, nose and hands. Press the router to the windshield over the area where the compass is mounted and turn it on. Run the router over the area until the router will remove no more glass.
- 3
  Get off the engine and into the cockpit of the plane. Pull gently on the compass mount to break the thinned glass and remove it from the windshield.
- 4
  Run the hand saw over the back of the compass mount until all of the glass and acrylic glue has been removed. Wear the respirator and gloves for this step as well, as there will still be the possibility of exposure to glass shards.

Aviation