Moving the Annual Up

[Jay Honeck]

For several years now I've taken advantage of the rule that allows you to do
your annual on a 13-month (rather than 12 month) basis, by simply finishing
the annual on the 1st of the following month each time.

Now it seems this procedure has come back to haunt me, as my annual this
year is scheduled for JUNE -- smack in the midst of prime flying time.

Thus, since I'm faced with ripping out the interior and opening up the wings
to install the Skycraft landing lights (the kind that are cut into the
leading edge of the wing) anyway, I've decided to have my A&P do the annual
at the same time, while the weather sucks.

Anyone else done this? I feel like I'm ripping myself off, somehow, but I
don't want the plane to be down in the summer, either...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[A Lieberman]

On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 14:13:02 GMT, Jay Honeck wrote:

> Anyone else done this? I feel like I'm ripping myself off, somehow, but I
> don't want the plane to be down in the summer, either...

Hey Jay,

When I got my "unscheduled" major overhaul, I asked my A&P to do the
annual.

The annual was done 3 months early this way. I figured while things were
ripped apart, he could get to things under the cowl alot easier *smile*

Allen

[[email protected]]

Now is the time to do the annual and the light mod for sure. All it
will take to recover the months lost is to go back on your 13 month
schedule. Four years and you will back to the June annual again.
Ben Haas N801BH

[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, "Jay Honeck" > said:
>For several years now I've taken advantage of the rule that allows you to do
>your annual on a 13-month (rather than 12 month) basis, by simply finishing
>the annual on the 1st of the following month each time.
>
>Now it seems this procedure has come back to haunt me, as my annual this
>year is scheduled for JUNE -- smack in the midst of prime flying time.

There's no law that says you *have* to move them forward. Our club has
always moved ours forward until they're in February or March, and then
leave them there - that way the annuals happen when the weather sucks, and
it's fresh when the flying season starts.

>leading edge of the wing) anyway, I've decided to have my A&P do the annual
>at the same time, while the weather sucks.
>
>Anyone else done this? I feel like I'm ripping myself off, somehow, but I
>don't want the plane to be down in the summer, either...

Yeah, we'll do it when we're doing an engine replacement or after a goose
strike
(http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/Flying/BirdStrike38290/BirdStrike_Part1.html)
(You'll notice that whenever AvWeb illustrates a story about bird strikes,
they use pictures that they got off that page. What you don't know is
that they never asked permission to use the pictures. Never have,
actually. The guy who took the pictures says he doesn't mind - if it was
me I'd tell that they owed me a free subscription to IFR and IFR
Refresher for that.)


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
If nothing else, I can watch my cow-orkers dodge clues in a manner
vaguely reminescent of Keanu Reeves from The Matrix
-- Justin Chandler

[George Patterson]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> Anyone else done this? I feel like I'm ripping myself off, somehow, but I
> don't want the plane to be down in the summer, either...

I tried to do this. Keeping my plane on a tie-down, rather than in a hangar, I
prefer to do the annual in nice weather. Since I bought my Maule in July, I let
the annual roll forward for a few years until it was due in October. Then I
tried to keep it there.

The damn IA at the shop I used to use would take any excuse to postpone doing
the annual. I made arrangements to get the plane in the shop in early October,
and it was mid-November before he started on it.

Now I have a great IA and the annual has rolled around to April. Maybe things
can stay that way.

George Patterson
He who marries for money earns every penny of it.

[Jay Honeck]

Why would you want the annual done in nice weather?

Keeping your plane parked outside, I would think it would be especially
important to have it done in the *bad* weather.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[George Patterson]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> Why would you want the annual done in nice weather?

Because *I'm* the one out there at the tiedown pulling panels, seats, etc., and
it's hard to hold wrenches in temperatures like we're seeing now. I'm absolutely
not going to be doing it in 18" of snow! It's not a whole lot of fun in the
rain, either (but I've done it).

George Patterson
He who marries for money earns every penny of it.

[RST Engineering]

There is no rule that says that the annual has to be done in one fell swoop.
That is, a lot of annuals take a couple of months to do, especially if you
are having to order oddball parts, replace large chunks of airplane, and the
like.

It all depends on how happy your IA is with doing what might be called a
"progressive annual". That is, the annual is DONE when the last screw has
been replaced in the cowl. It is the IA's perogative to inspect one part
today, another part tomorrow, and the last part in July.

Sort of understand where I'm going?

Jim


"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:OX5Ld.36510$IV5.11694@attbi_s54...
> For several years now I've taken advantage of the rule that allows you to
> do your annual on a 13-month (rather than 12 month) basis, by simply
> finishing the annual on the 1st of the following month each time

[Fly]

Good point.
I annual a twin plane that never is unavailable longer than a week unless
there is no other option. items are accomplished 2-3 dyas at a time over a
month.


Kent Felkins


"RST Engineering" > wrote in message
...
> There is no rule that says that the annual has to be done in one fell
swoop.
> That is, a lot of annuals take a couple of months to do, especially if you
> are having to order oddball parts, replace large chunks of airplane, and
the
> like.
>
> It all depends on how happy your IA is with doing what might be called a
> "progressive annual". That is, the annual is DONE when the last screw has
> been replaced in the cowl. It is the IA's perogative to inspect one part
> today, another part tomorrow, and the last part in July.
>
> Sort of understand where I'm going?
>
> Jim
>
>
> "Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
> news:OX5Ld.36510$IV5.11694@attbi_s54...
> > For several years now I've taken advantage of the rule that allows you
to
> > do your annual on a 13-month (rather than 12 month) basis, by simply
> > finishing the annual on the 1st of the following month each time
>
>

[Mark S Conway]

My Piper Apache was annualed in March '04 ....
In October '04 it was due for a bunch of 100hr AD's
By the time we tore into her, I said, let's keep going and finish this pig
off....
We did it in 4 days anyways....
Ripping yourself off? We did that when we got into aviation!!!!! :)

Mark, N3165P




"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:OX5Ld.36510$IV5.11694@attbi_s54...
> For several years now I've taken advantage of the rule that allows you to
> do your annual on a 13-month (rather than 12 month) basis, by simply
> finishing the annual on the 1st of the following month each time.
>
> Now it seems this procedure has come back to haunt me, as my annual this
> year is scheduled for JUNE -- smack in the midst of prime flying time.
>
> Thus, since I'm faced with ripping out the interior and opening up the
> wings to install the Skycraft landing lights (the kind that are cut into
> the leading edge of the wing) anyway, I've decided to have my A&P do the
> annual at the same time, while the weather sucks.
>
> Anyone else done this? I feel like I'm ripping myself off, somehow, but I
> don't want the plane to be down in the summer, either...
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[Jay Honeck]

>> Why would you want the annual done in nice weather?
>
> Because *I'm* the one out there at the tiedown pulling panels, seats,
> etc., and
> it's hard to hold wrenches in temperatures like we're seeing now. I'm
> absolutely
> not going to be doing it in 18" of snow! It's not a whole lot of fun in
> the
> rain, either (but I've done it).

You're an A&P, George? Or are you saying your A&P doesn't let you do the
prep work in his shop?

I just got home from spending 9 hours in my mechanic's heated hangar,
tearing the plane apart, and changing the oil/filter. In theory, tomorrow
he only needs to peek inside everything with his flashlight, check the
compressions, and sign me off for another year. (HA! It NEVER works out
that way...)

Well, and then cut my wings up with his Dremel tool for the landing light
installation. Man, I just cringe at the thought!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[[email protected]]

I've my annual always in october, that's at the end of my personal
flying season.
I like to have my plane ready to fly in the spring.
So I do replacements and so on during the winter even if they are
scheduled later in the year.
In this way I have about 5 months to go part hunting.

-Kees

[Bob Noel]

In article <C3iLd.38708$IV5.29151@attbi_s54>,
"Jay Honeck" > wrote:

> >> Why would you want the annual done in nice weather?
> >
> > Because *I'm* the one out there at the tiedown pulling panels, seats,
> > etc., and
> > it's hard to hold wrenches in temperatures like we're seeing now. I'm
> > absolutely
> > not going to be doing it in 18" of snow! It's not a whole lot of fun in
> > the
> > rain, either (but I've done it).
>
> You're an A&P, George? Or are you saying your A&P doesn't let you do the
> prep work in his shop?

Not all IA's have a shop. The first five annuals on my plane were done right
on my tie-down (I changed the annual from January to September in order
to take advantage of good fall weather - not too hot, not too cold).

--
Bob Noel
looking for a sig the lawyers will like

[Peter R.]

Jay Honeck > wrote:

> Anyone else done this? I feel like I'm ripping myself off, somehow, but I
> don't want the plane to be down in the summer, either...

My annual was due in May of this year. However, when the Bonanza went down
last October with a cracked cylinder, a failure that led to the engine
replacement (high time engine), I asked the mechanics to do the annual,
too. They were able to complete the majority of the annual before the
overhauled engine arrived.

Last Friday the aircraft finally rolled out of the shop, ready for a full
year of flying and oil changes.

--
Peter

[Jay Honeck]

> Not all IA's have a shop. The first five annuals on my plane were done
> right
> on my tie-down

Wow, that really amazes me.

Even on a relatively simple Spam Can, annualing an aircraft involves
removing (and saving) a zillion little screws and connecters. Even indoors
I inevitably kick over a container full of screws, or lose a couple -- I
just can't imagine fighting the wind and the elements at the same time.

Where did you put all the stuff you removed? In my case, I've got
clamshell halves of my wheelpants that would make a great kite in the wind,
interior panels, seats, etc. A good gust, and I'd be chasing them across
the airport.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[zatatime]

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 04:00:34 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote:

>Well, and then cut my wings up with his Dremel tool for the landing light
>installation. Man, I just cringe at the thought!


Then why are you doing it?

z

[zatatime]

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 13:05:11 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote:

>> Not all IA's have a shop. The first five annuals on my plane were done
>> right
>> on my tie-down
>
I've done the same thing for the 5 years I've owned my bird.
>
>Where did you put all the stuff you removed?

In my car.

Oh yeah, there's also no electricity! This requires the need to have
various battery powered tools, or, if you don't have the tool, the
ability to take care of things manually like they did a long time ago.

While it can be frustrating, the skills you build are worth it. You
also learn to think through a job completely before starting it.

z

[George Patterson]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> You're an A&P, George?

No.

> Or are you saying your A&P doesn't let you do the
> prep work in his shop?

That's right.

George Patterson
He who marries for money earns every penny of it.

[George Patterson]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>
> Where did you put all the stuff you removed?

I use zip-lock bags. I take a small notepad, scribble an identification label on
half a page, and stuff it in the bag. A typical label might be "left upper
strut" for the screws that hold those fairings in. I use a cardboard box to hold
all the bags and other small pieces. I have a Nissan truck with extended cab
(similar to your grape). Most of the stuff goes in the cab behind the seat. The
right front seat and rear floor board goes in the bed. In inclement weather,
they get stuffed in garbage sacks for the trip home (I don't have a cap).

> In my case, I've got
> clamshell halves of my wheelpants that would make a great kite in the wind,
> interior panels, seats, etc. A good gust, and I'd be chasing them across
> the airport.

Stuff like that goes into the truck as soon as it's removed.

George Patterson
He who marries for money earns every penny of it.

[[email protected]]

Moved mine from May to January for exactly that reason. The only part
that's costing you extra money is interest on the flat rate - the
repairs need to be done anyway.

[Bob Noel]

In article <82qLd.10770$C24.2574@attbi_s52>,
"Jay Honeck" > wrote:

> > Not all IA's have a shop. The first five annuals on my plane were done
> > right
> > on my tie-down
>
> Wow, that really amazes me.
>
> Even on a relatively simple Spam Can, annualing an aircraft involves
> removing (and saving) a zillion little screws and connecters. Even indoors
> I inevitably kick over a container full of screws, or lose a couple -- I
> just can't imagine fighting the wind and the elements at the same time.

September is a beautiful time to be outside - even if it's just working
on the airplane. otoh - now that my annuals are inside a heated hangar
(feb/mar) I can fly on those beautiful fall days. Maybe I'm sick, but working
on the plane is almost as much fun as flying it.

>
> Where did you put all the stuff you removed?

In my SUV or in the IA's pickup. At the end of the day, large items are
put back on the airplane.

--
Bob Noel
looking for a sig the lawyers will like

[jsmith]

Try using zip-lock sandwich/snack bags, two-inch masking tape and a
sharpie marker. Remove the screws from a component, put them in a
baggie, tape the baggie next to the component location, write what and
where the screws go (make a drawing if necessary).

Jay Honeck wrote:
>>Not all IA's have a shop. The first five annuals on my plane were done
>>right
>>on my tie-down
>
>
> Wow, that really amazes me.
>
> Even on a relatively simple Spam Can, annualing an aircraft involves
> removing (and saving) a zillion little screws and connecters. Even indoors
> I inevitably kick over a container full of screws, or lose a couple -- I
> just can't imagine fighting the wind and the elements at the same time.
>
> Where did you put all the stuff you removed? In my case, I've got
> clamshell halves of my wheelpants that would make a great kite in the wind,
> interior panels, seats, etc. A good gust, and I'd be chasing them across
> the airport.

[Jay Honeck]

>>Well, and then cut my wings up with his Dremel tool for the landing light
>>installation. Man, I just cringe at the thought!
>
>
> Then why are you doing it?

Because I want to be able to see the taxiways at night, and I want more than
one landing light.

And, with our tip tanks, I can't utilize the wing-tip landing lights, so
we're stuck with the in-wing ones.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Aaron Coolidge]

Jay Honeck > wrote:
: For several years now I've taken advantage of the rule that allows you to do
: your annual on a 13-month (rather than 12 month) basis, by simply finishing
: the annual on the 1st of the following month each time.

: Now it seems this procedure has come back to haunt me, as my annual this
: year is scheduled for JUNE -- smack in the midst of prime flying time.

Hi Jay! I also "moved up" my annual, but now it's in July and can't be moved
up if I go to Oshkosh. Unless I do it *at* Oshkosh...
--
Aaron C.

[TripFarmer]

Now Jay, you're sounding like my cheap partner............:o)


Trip

In article <OX5Ld.36510$IV5.11694@attbi_s54>, says...
>
>For several years now I've taken advantage of the rule that allows you to do
>your annual on a 13-month (rather than 12 month) basis, by simply finishing
>the annual on the 1st of the following month each time.
>
>Now it seems this procedure has come back to haunt me, as my annual this
>year is scheduled for JUNE -- smack in the midst of prime flying time.
>
>Thus, since I'm faced with ripping out the interior and opening up the wings
>to install the Skycraft landing lights (the kind that are cut into the
>leading edge of the wing) anyway, I've decided to have my A&P do the annual
>at the same time, while the weather sucks.
>
>Anyone else done this? I feel like I'm ripping myself off, somehow, but I
>don't want the plane to be down in the summer, either...
>--
>Jay Honeck
>Iowa City, IA
>Pathfinder N56993
>www.AlexisParkInn.com
>"Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[No Spam]

Jay Honeck wrote:
> For several years now I've taken advantage of the rule that allows you to do
> your annual on a 13-month (rather than 12 month) basis, by simply finishing
> the annual on the 1st of the following month each time.
>
> Now it seems this procedure has come back to haunt me, as my annual this
> year is scheduled for JUNE -- smack in the midst of prime flying time.
>
> Thus, since I'm faced with ripping out the interior and opening up the wings
> to install the Skycraft landing lights (the kind that are cut into the
> leading edge of the wing) anyway, I've decided to have my A&P do the annual
> at the same time, while the weather sucks.
>
> Anyone else done this? I feel like I'm ripping myself off, somehow, but I
> don't want the plane to be down in the summer, either...

I've done that, too, but I intend to stop when it hits early Spring.
That way, I've got an airplane ready to go for the main flying part of
the year.

-> Don

[Jay Honeck]

> I've done that, too, but I intend to stop when it hits early Spring. That
> way, I've got an airplane ready to go for the main flying part of the
> year.

Yep, I'm going to aim for February every year now. It seems to be the
perfect time to be "planeless in Iowa"...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"