De-icing boots
Flyboy ,
If the aircraft was build with the boots at the factory , then I guess he will be changing it's spec , so he might have to apply for minor\major mod . Either will cost money , especially large amounts with the major .
As for legalities , he'll have to check on that .
My thoughts are £15k seems very high price anyways .
Even if you could remove the boots , then he'll be respraying the wings , even maybe the aircraft if good paint match isn't achievable . The area under the boots isn't painted ,you know .
And as for getting 5 kts extra , he'd be better off giving the thing a damm good polish , clipped wings and a retractable tailwheel , ooops , sorry got carried away again .
I say leave the aircraft as the designers biult it and tell him to stump up the dosh , he can afford it , after all he has his own airplane !!!!
Jetset41