Re-installing the bottom cowling of a light aircraft by your self can be a really tough job. They are cumbersome, awkward and nearly impossible to install solo. Yet we know we must change the oil and inspect motor mounts, manifolds, safety-wires and look for oil and fluid leaks to insure the aircraft is and stays airworthy. If the engine quits it is not as if you can pull over and call AAA up there. There are ways to self install the bottom cowlings on light aircraft.

For instance a friend once had three milk crates mounted on a piece of plywood, two on the bottom inline and one on top of the back one. Then he had a trash can lid screwed onto two strips of plumbers tape, with a giant piece of foam to hold his Swift Cowling in place. He put the tail wheel up on one of those car ramps. He put the cowling onto the device and scooted it under the engine, so he could do this by himself. This one technique and you will often see aircraft mechanics with cowling cradles in their shops. Of course for the private aircraft owner that hardly makes sense to expend the money for an occasional oil change or look see.

You know, someday cowlings will be made of carbon nano tubes and able to be transparent when hit with a frequency for easy pre-flighting. The carbon nanotubes will be ultra light and easy to install by yourself, but for now you are going have to call your friend Bob to help you put the cowel back on the plane after an oil change or figure out a make-shift but safe way to get that cowling back on yourself. Think on this.