Steven Johnson

During restoration of my 1954 PA18, I replaced the original rotary mag switch on the side panel with guarded mag switches in the instrument panel. Here are my experiences with the change. - Since I moved the switch, I have never failed to shut off the mags after flight. I have forgotten to shut off the mags on the left panel several times. This is the only operation reason to replace and move the mag switch. - In years of instruction (from ~1985-2002), no one, to my knowledge, accidentally shut off the mags on the lower left panel. The plane was based in Colorado and Idaho, with plenty of cold weather coat-time. - During instruction, having the mag switches accessible to the instructor in the back seat is beneficial, as a check that they are on and properly verified during run up. Note that the lower instrument panel is not visible to the instructor in back unless the pilot in the front seat leans way over and the instructor leans forward (I'm 5'8"). - Moving the switch during restoration with no cover and the instrument panel removed is not too difficult. Moving the switches in most cases will require a new panel layout. However, I estimate that moving the switches while not in the process of restoration will be very expensive, time consuming, risks damage to the fabric, and often will require a new panel layout, with a corresponding field approval (according to the local FSDO), which itself is a time consuming and laborious process. In all, I prefer the switches on the instrument panel, where I can see them. That said, there is no reason to require moving the toggle switches in an AD. Operators should be able to make a choice depending on the mission and the condition of the airplane. There is absolutely no evidence that the left side rotary switch should be replaced with switches on the panel. In the reports cited, I interpret "switches" as meaning that toggle switches were involved, and not the rotary mag switch.