If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Cessna 150 annual costs
I'm, posting anonymous as I don't want identify the maintenance shop
involved. I own a later model Cessna 150. My last few annuals have been on the high side and I got quite the whopper for this year. I'm wondering if my mechanic is fleecing me or if airplane is falling apart. I bought a 150 since it was supposed to be one of the less expensive aircraft to own and fly, but at this rate I think I'm better just to finance a brand new aircraft. 2002 - bought with 5000 AFTT, 5500 ETT, 0 SMOH (original engine suffered failure back in the 80s) This is just my annual bills and doesn't include IFR/avionics repairs/testing. 2003 $500 2004 $600 2005 $3600 (current mechanic to present), don't have breakdown 2006 $3500 don't have breakdown 2007 $5400 $1300 parts, $4400 labor 2008 $2300 $300 parts, $2000 labor 2009 $7600 $2100 parts, $5700 labor, replaced rudder There is no other authorized mechanic at my field, and most people based on the field have the $500-in-your-own-hangar annual. I wrote the earlier years off as finding things missed by the previous annuals and assumed the cost was going back down (as 2008 seemed almost normal). I also noticed that I was charged labor for opening the access panels, I thought that would have been included in the flat rate that is also charged. Major repairs outside annual: Late 2003 replaced both mags @ $1500 Late 2004 replaced a cylinder @ $1500 Late 2005 replaced attitude indicator @ $1500 For those curious, add $8000 in avionics repairs since 2002. So find a new mechanic or find a new airplane? |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Cessna 150 annual costs
"Anonymous Pilot" wrote in message
... I'm, posting anonymous as I don't want identify the maintenance shop involved. I own a later model Cessna 150. My last few annuals have been on the high side and I got quite the whopper for this year. I'm wondering if my mechanic is fleecing me or if airplane is falling apart. I bought a 150 since it was supposed to be one of the less expensive aircraft to own and fly, but at this rate I think I'm better just to finance a brand new aircraft. 2002 - bought with 5000 AFTT, 5500 ETT, 0 SMOH (original engine suffered failure back in the 80s) This is just my annual bills and doesn't include IFR/avionics repairs/testing. 2003 $500 2004 $600 2005 $3600 (current mechanic to present), don't have breakdown 2006 $3500 don't have breakdown 2007 $5400 $1300 parts, $4400 labor 2008 $2300 $300 parts, $2000 labor 2009 $7600 $2100 parts, $5700 labor, replaced rudder There is no other authorized mechanic at my field, and most people based on the field have the $500-in-your-own-hangar annual. I wrote the earlier years off as finding things missed by the previous annuals and assumed the cost was going back down (as 2008 seemed almost normal). I also noticed that I was charged labor for opening the access panels, I thought that would have been included in the flat rate that is also charged. Major repairs outside annual: Late 2003 replaced both mags @ $1500 Late 2004 replaced a cylinder @ $1500 Late 2005 replaced attitude indicator @ $1500 For those curious, add $8000 in avionics repairs since 2002. So find a new mechanic or find a new airplane? What are you paying for? The numbers themselves don't say much. Replaced rudder? What was wrong with the old one? Corrosion? Accident? What does the mechanic say about the general condition of the airplane? Look at what was replaced and ask yourself if it really needed replacing - if you don't know, fly somewhere and ask another mechanic to give you an opinion - did this part need to be replaced? Or drive somewhere with the old, removed, part in your hand. 2002 - bought with 5000 AFTT, 5500 ETT, 0 SMOH (original engine suffered failure back in the 80s) This thing sat for 20 years without flying? What was done to get it back to airworthy state in the first place. Who got it flying again? The current mechanic? -- Geoff The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail When immigration is outlawed, only outlaws will immigrate. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Cessna 150 annual costs
Anonymous Pilot wrote:
I'm, posting anonymous as I don't want identify the maintenance shop involved. I own a later model Cessna 150. My last few annuals have been on the high side and I got quite the whopper for this year. I'm wondering if my mechanic is fleecing me or if airplane is falling apart. I bought a 150 since it was supposed to be one of the less expensive aircraft to own and fly, but at this rate I think I'm better just to finance a brand new aircraft. 2002 - bought with 5000 AFTT, 5500 ETT, 0 SMOH (original engine suffered failure back in the 80s) This is just my annual bills and doesn't include IFR/avionics repairs/testing. 2003 $500 2004 $600 2005 $3600 (current mechanic to present), don't have breakdown 2006 $3500 don't have breakdown 2007 $5400 $1300 parts, $4400 labor 2008 $2300 $300 parts, $2000 labor 2009 $7600 $2100 parts, $5700 labor, replaced rudder There is no other authorized mechanic at my field, and most people based on the field have the $500-in-your-own-hangar annual. I wrote the earlier years off as finding things missed by the previous annuals and assumed the cost was going back down (as 2008 seemed almost normal). I also noticed that I was charged labor for opening the access panels, I thought that would have been included in the flat rate that is also charged. Major repairs outside annual: Late 2003 replaced both mags @ $1500 Late 2004 replaced a cylinder @ $1500 Late 2005 replaced attitude indicator @ $1500 For those curious, add $8000 in avionics repairs since 2002. So find a new mechanic or find a new airplane? Draw a circle of 200 miles radius around your current base. Starting with the country airfield A&Ps, call all the A&Ps you can locate, ask this: "How would an annual cost for my C150?". Fly to to the place that quoted the next to least cost at the agreed date, and say you'll wait. Expect to be called if the mechanic finds something that needs attention that he didn't bargain on. It was 16 years ago, but my annuals cost between $200 and $400 at that time. I held onto that plane for 5 years, and flew 400 hours. I DID have a valve stick ONCE using autofuel. That was the only non-routine item. The mechanic called me once on an Annual to report excessive rudder pedal pivot hole wear, and would it be alright if he sourced me a used pedal in better condition. Do you wear a shirt and tie? A suit? A flight suit? Don't! Brian W |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Cessna 150 annual costs
brian whatcott wrote:
Draw a circle of 200 miles radius around your current base. Starting with the country airfield A&Ps, call all the A&Ps you can locate, ask this: "How would an annual cost for my C150?". Fly to to the place that quoted the next to least cost at the agreed date, and say you'll wait. Expect to be called if the mechanic finds something that needs attention that he didn't bargain on. It was 16 years ago, but my annuals cost between $200 and $400 at that time. I held onto that plane for 5 years, and flew 400 hours. I DID have a valve stick ONCE using autofuel. That was the only non-routine item. The mechanic called me once on an Annual to report excessive rudder pedal pivot hole wear, and would it be alright if he sourced me a used pedal in better condition. Do you wear a shirt and tie? A suit? A flight suit? Don't! Brian W Ha! having spotted a likely buy, I tried a spoonful of my own medicine. I asked the local fbo for a smidgeon of patterns and briefing. No 150. but a 172 at $150 ph with instructor. How much is an annual? Oh, ten hours at $65/hr. I must be able to do better than that. [I hope] Come to think of it: that FBO now has new overstuffed leather sofas, ceramic tiles etc.... hehe.... Brian W |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Cessna 150 annual costs
brian whatcott wrote:
brian whatcott wrote: Draw a circle of 200 miles radius around your current base. Starting with the country airfield A&Ps, call all the A&Ps you can locate, ask this: "How would an annual cost for my C150?". Fly to to the place that quoted the next to least cost at the agreed date, and say you'll wait. Expect to be called if the mechanic finds something that needs attention that he didn't bargain on. It was 16 years ago, but my annuals cost between $200 and $400 at that time. I held onto that plane for 5 years, and flew 400 hours. I DID have a valve stick ONCE using autofuel. That was the only non-routine item. The mechanic called me once on an Annual to report excessive rudder pedal pivot hole wear, and would it be alright if he sourced me a used pedal in better condition. Do you wear a shirt and tie? A suit? A flight suit? Don't! Brian W Ha! having spotted a likely buy, I tried a spoonful of my own medicine. I asked the local fbo for a smidgeon of patterns and briefing. No 150. but a 172 at $150 ph with instructor. How much is an annual? Oh, ten hours at $65/hr. I must be able to do better than that. [I hope] Come to think of it: that FBO now has new overstuffed leather sofas, ceramic tiles etc.... hehe.... Brian W Brian, from a prior post you mentioned McKinney, TX. If you are from there, then take your plane to J&S Aviation in Sherman. You will get good service and a reasonable price. I used to keep my plane at Sherman. Talk to John Hooker. -- Regards, Ross C-172F 180HP Sold KSWI |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Cessna 150 annual costs
Ross wrote:
brian whatcott wrote: brian whatcott wrote: Draw a circle of 200 miles radius around your current base. Starting with the country airfield A&Ps, call all the A&Ps you can locate, ask this: "How would an annual cost for my C150?". Fly to to the place that quoted the next to least cost at the agreed date, and say you'll wait. Expect to be called if the mechanic finds something that needs attention that he didn't bargain on. It was 16 years ago, but my annuals cost between $200 and $400 at that time. I held onto that plane for 5 years, and flew 400 hours. I DID have a valve stick ONCE using autofuel. That was the only non-routine item. The mechanic called me once on an Annual to report excessive rudder pedal pivot hole wear, and would it be alright if he sourced me a used pedal in better condition. Do you wear a shirt and tie? A suit? A flight suit? Don't! Brian W Ha! having spotted a likely buy, I tried a spoonful of my own medicine. I asked the local fbo for a smidgeon of patterns and briefing. No 150. but a 172 at $150 ph with instructor. How much is an annual? Oh, ten hours at $65/hr. I must be able to do better than that. [I hope] Come to think of it: that FBO now has new overstuffed leather sofas, ceramic tiles etc.... hehe.... Brian W Brian, from a prior post you mentioned McKinney, TX. If you are from there, then take your plane to J&S Aviation in Sherman. You will get good service and a reasonable price. I used to keep my plane at Sherman. Talk to John Hooker. There's nothing quite so valuable as word of mouth. Thank you. Very much Brian W |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Cessna 150 annual costs
On Oct 10, 2:08*pm, Anonymous Pilot wrote:
2003 $500 2004 $600 2005 $3600 (current mechanic to present), don't have breakdown 2006 $3500 *don't have breakdown 2007 $5400 *$1300 parts, $4400 labor * 2008 $2300 *$300 parts, $2000 labor * 2009 $7600 *$2100 parts, $5700 labor, replaced rudder Late 2003 replaced both mags @ $1500 Late 2004 replaced a cylinder @ $1500 Late 2005 replaced attitude indicator @ $1500 For those curious, add $8000 in avionics repairs since 2002. So find a new mechanic or find a new airplane? My thought is that what you have paid in just a few years is exponentially more than it cost me to go through A&P school, which I finished at 41 years of age with a full time job & a family. Often people who desire aircraft ownership go ahead & make the financial & time investment to save money by working on their own aircraft. The 150 is a very simple plane to work on, too. Ricky |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Cessna 150 annual costs
"Anonymous Pilot" wrote in message
... I'm, posting anonymous as I don't want identify the maintenance shop involved. I own a later model Cessna 150. My last few annuals have been on the high side and I got quite the whopper for this year. I'm wondering if my mechanic is fleecing me or if airplane is falling apart. I bought a 150 since it was supposed to be one of the less expensive aircraft to own and fly, but at this rate I think I'm better just to finance a brand new aircraft. 2002 - bought with 5000 AFTT, 5500 ETT, 0 SMOH (original engine suffered failure back in the 80s) This is just my annual bills and doesn't include IFR/avionics repairs/testing. 2003 $500 2004 $600 2005 $3600 (current mechanic to present), don't have breakdown 2006 $3500 don't have breakdown 2007 $5400 $1300 parts, $4400 labor 2008 $2300 $300 parts, $2000 labor 2009 $7600 $2100 parts, $5700 labor, replaced rudder There is no other authorized mechanic at my field, and most people based on the field have the $500-in-your-own-hangar annual. I wrote the earlier years off as finding things missed by the previous annuals and assumed the cost was going back down (as 2008 seemed almost normal). I also noticed that I was charged labor for opening the access panels, I thought that would have been included in the flat rate that is also charged. Major repairs outside annual: Late 2003 replaced both mags @ $1500 Late 2004 replaced a cylinder @ $1500 Late 2005 replaced attitude indicator @ $1500 For those curious, add $8000 in avionics repairs since 2002. So find a new mechanic or find a new airplane? Don't know about "your" location or airplane but I will tell you of my ownership. Purchased a C150 in 2000 and have 9 years ownership experience. Never an annual over $250.00 (owner assisted ie: remove seats, panels etc. Insurance $650.00 / year Radio Replacement $1200.00 New ELT $300.00 New Tires $275.00 New AI $400.00 Original Price for C150F with new paint / interior Over Time engine $12,000.00 Complete overhaul on engine $11.500.00 in year 2000 right after purchase. Total initial output $23,500.00. I have approx 720 hours since purchased. Hope this helps you decide a proper course of action. Terry N6401F |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Cessna 150 annual costs
On Oct 10, 2:08*pm, Anonymous Pilot wrote:
I'm, posting anonymous as I don't want identify the maintenance shop involved. I own a later model Cessna 150. *My last few annuals have been on the high side and I got quite the whopper for this year. *I'm wondering if my mechanic is fleecing me or if airplane is falling apart. *I bought a 150 since it was supposed to be one of the less expensive aircraft to own and fly, but at this rate I think I'm better just to finance a brand new aircraft. 2002 - bought with 5000 AFTT, 5500 ETT, 0 SMOH (original engine suffered failure back in the 80s) This is just my annual bills and doesn't include IFR/avionics repairs/testing. 2003 $500 2004 $600 2005 $3600 (current mechanic to present), don't have breakdown 2006 $3500 *don't have breakdown 2007 $5400 *$1300 parts, $4400 labor * 2008 $2300 *$300 parts, $2000 labor * 2009 $7600 *$2100 parts, $5700 labor, replaced rudder There is no other authorized mechanic at my field, and most people based on the field have the $500-in-your-own-hangar annual. *I wrote the earlier years off as finding things missed by the previous annuals and assumed the cost was going back down (as 2008 seemed almost normal). I also noticed that I was charged labor for opening the access panels, I thought that would have been included in the flat rate that is also charged. Major repairs outside annual: Late 2003 replaced both mags @ $1500 Late 2004 replaced a cylinder @ $1500 Late 2005 replaced attitude indicator @ $1500 For those curious, add $8000 in avionics repairs since 2002. So find a new mechanic or find a new airplane? It would be nice to see more detail on what was done and how many hours were spent on each squawk. What is the shop's hourly rate? It looks like we are talking just short of 80 to 90 hours in discrepancy labor. That could be excessive if the discrepancies don't spell out exactly what was done. Maybe they had to drill out seized screws throughout the airframe or replace every cushion clamp in engine compartment. I don't care what the aircraft is many years of $500 annuals usually means that a lot of small things are neglected. If the current mechanic is more thorough than most then you are paying for being cheap in years past. Take a look at the logs, if there is the phrase "Annual inspection complied with." made year after year with no detail of actual work being done then you are catching up on years of pencil whipped annuals. Has your current mechanic done a thorough check of Airworthiness Directive compliance? Believe me that can take hours if previous compliance has not been recorded properly. What about required placards? What about an accurate equipment list and weight and balance record? Those two are easily the most ignored aspects of an annual. Most mechanics assume the pilots take care of it and most pilots of simpler aircraft never consider checking it. I have annualed airplanes reported to me as being in "pristine" condition only to find not less than 100 genuine mechanical or legal discrepancies and I am not talking paint scratches or torn upholstery either. It may be just a 150 but it still deserves careful and thorough attention at annual. John Dupre' |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Maintenance Costs/Hangar Costs | aml | Piloting | 5 | May 23rd 06 07:55 PM |
Annual Operating Costs | Jim Burns | Owning | 19 | September 9th 05 08:12 PM |
TIS-B costs | Julian Scarfe | Piloting | 2 | May 23rd 05 02:49 PM |
Tow Costs | Slick | Soaring | 31 | April 6th 05 10:24 AM |
Annual Costs - Take the Pledge | Roger Long | Owning | 25 | February 1st 04 03:41 PM |