Post Annual Report

[Jack Allison]

It's been a few weeks since picking up the Arrow from the annual
inspection. In short, the *required repairs* cost far less this year
than last.

The only significant airworthiness issue was a crack in the lower wing
skin, just forward of the spar and where the wing connects to the
fuselage. I found this while cleaning the gear/wheel well a couple of
days prior to taking it into the shop for the annual. Pix here:

http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h262/k2_boardrider/Wingskin/

Thanks to info. Jim Burns dug up from some A&Ps, this is a fairly common
issue on Cherokees. My A&P has seen and repaired this type of crack
several times. In his words, ours was "uglier than most". There is
another Arrow that goes in for annual the same time as ours and it has
the repair on both wings. The repair is a triangular shaped doubler.

Add one new nose wheel tire, replace a portion of the upper 1/2 of the
muffler shroud, the usual oil change, and inspection fee for a total
cost just South of 2 AMUs. Oh, wait, forgot about the prop hub eddy
current inspection done right before annual. Add another 0.2 AMUs for
that and we're at an even 2 AMUs. Still, that's 1/4 the cost of last year.

Next major item on the ownership agenda: Take advantage of Hartzell's
40% discount on a replacement 2-blade prop. Ours has been through three
overhauls and due to the hub AD, the replacement from Hartzell is the
best long term solution. A 3-blade would be nice but at a significantly
higher price.

[john smith[_2_]]

In article >,
Jack Allison > wrote:

> http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h262/k2_boardrider/Wingskin/

Okay... so what is the theory as to why it is cracking there?
Is it a result of the spar flexing?
Stay with the two-blade... less weight, more efficient at cruise.

[Roy Smith]

Jack Allison > wrote:
> A 3-blade would be nice but at a significantly higher price.

Why do you think 3 blades would be nice? With either the 180 or 200 HP
Arrow, the 3-bladed prop is likely to be 10 lbs heavier (which probably
costs you 50 lbs in the front seats against the forward CG limit), and take
5 kts off your cruise speed.

[Jack Allison]

Strictly for ramp appeal...which, IMHO, isn't worth it. I've had the
McCaulley folks claim no loss of cruise speed. Not sure about the
weight difference/penalty. I figure that the added purchase price and
increased overhaul costs of a 3-blade don't justify it. Still, I do
like the looks of a 3-blade. Of course, that all goes away once you
crank the engine and start converting cash into lift/airspeed :-)

[Jack Allison]

john smith wrote:

> Okay... so what is the theory as to why it is cracking there?
> Is it a result of the spar flexing?
> Stay with the two-blade... less weight, more efficient at cruise.

Ah...should have mentioned that. My A&P, as well as the guys JimB
pinged, say that it's oil canning. Some speculate that it's due to the
stress from walking on the wing-walk area (and claim that this is more
prevalent on the right wing). Everyone advised a good look at the spar
area for any signs of anything wrong. Fortunately, between the gear
well and inboard wing inspection panels, you can get a good look at the
problem areas.

While at OSH, I plan to check each Arrow I come across for this fix.
Sort of like my brother crawling around RVs seeing how folks put certain
parts together :-)

Yeah, the 2-blade is our lowest cost option. Based on the Hartzell AD,
I'd like to ditch them and go with McCaulley...but the 40% discount from
Hartzell makes them the least expensive. Right at 5.8 AMUs including
shipping old prop back/new prop to us. The McCaulley option from a Bay
Area prop shop is 7 AMUs.

[Jim Burns[_2_]]

"Jack Allison" > wrote in message
>In short, the *required repairs* cost far less this year
> than last.

Now THAT is always a good thing! :)

Jim

[Robert M. Gary]

On Jul 4, 9:52 am, Jack Allison >
wrote:
> It's been a few weeks since picking up the Arrow from the annual
> inspection. In short, the *required repairs* cost far less this year
> than last.
>
> The only significant airworthiness issue was a crack in the lower wing
> skin, just forward of the spar and where the wing connects to the
> fuselage. I found this while cleaning the gear/wheel well a couple of
> days prior to taking it into the shop for the annual. Pix here:
>
> http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h262/k2_boardrider/Wingskin/
>
> Thanks to info. Jim Burns dug up from some A&Ps, this is a fairly common
> issue on Cherokees. My A&P has seen and repaired this type of crack
> several times. In his words, ours was "uglier than most". There is
> another Arrow that goes in for annual the same time as ours and it has
> the repair on both wings. The repair is a triangular shaped doubler.
>
> Add one new nose wheel tire, replace a portion of the upper 1/2 of the
> muffler shroud, the usual oil change, and inspection fee for a total
> cost just South of 2 AMUs. Oh, wait, forgot about the prop hub eddy
> current inspection done right before annual. Add another 0.2 AMUs for
> that and we're at an even 2 AMUs. Still, that's 1/4 the cost of last year.
>
> Next major item on the ownership agenda: Take advantage of Hartzell's
> 40% discount on a replacement 2-blade prop. Ours has been through three
> overhauls and due to the hub AD, the replacement from Hartzell is the
> best long term solution. A 3-blade would be nice but at a significantly
> higher price.

Jack, where did you go for your ECI? Did you see my Mooney on the ramp
during your annual?
-Robert

[Jack Allison]

Robert M. Gary wrote:

> Jack, where did you go for your ECI? Did you see my Mooney on the ramp
> during your annual?
> -Robert

Went to American Propeller in Redding, cost: $200. Sullivan at Hayward
charges $300. Nope, don't recall seeing a Mooney while our plane was at
Cameron Park.