I do note an air of aggravation, Sir Jim. As I recall, you are one of the
brave souls who make a living working on airplanes. My hat is off to you.
One of the toughest businesses I have ever seen. My post was in no way
meant to demean the skills or dedication of those wrenches/IAs in the
field.

No, I make my living teaching college, designing electronic devices for
sale, and writing magazine articles. I do the inspection stuff on the
weekends just because I love aviation. As a matter of fact, my last two
annuals were free, one because the fellow was a carpenter and he helped me
with a dryrot problem and the other because the fellow was a U2 pilot just
back from Iraq.



Go for an official license of any sort? Why? I have no love of mechanics
beyond my airplane. I already make well in excess of the pay available to
the airplane mechanic. I don't want the liability burden even if I did try
for it. My IA (of over 50 years) asked me several times if I was
interested in going for it. We never discussed it beyond that point so I
don't know if he would sign me off for the exam.

Because I turned 63 last month, crawling around in the belly of airplanes is
getting harder by the year, and because of all the people I've helped with
inspections I don't have ONE yet that is willing to put out the time and
effort to take my place. Until I do, I won't feel right about "retiring"
(something about the Peter, Paul, and Mary song about lighting one
candle...)


But, I am not sure why you find my post so irritating. I merely lamented
at the scarcity of mechanics who are in a position to allow owner assists
on the annual. What's got you so riled (I ask cautiously fearing a Wrath
of God Internet reply)?

I'm not irritated. I'm frustrated. Everybody from A to Z is bitching about
how hard it is to find good mechanics and IAs but they aren't willing to
take that monkey onto their back. I thought perhaps I might shame you into
trying it for a while. Just because you have the paper (or now plastic) is
no reason you HAVE to do anything with them. And yes, I too make a hell of
a lot more in the classroom than I do getting greasy; I do it because
somebody did it for me, and somebody did it for him, and ...

Jim

Jim