Learning from an owner annual

Good maintenance takes time and time equals money. There is
too much poor maintenance, sometimes because the aircraft
owner just doesn't have the money to do the work and
sometimes because the shop, trying to keep cost down cuts
corners. All aircraft owners should have the basic library
of the shop manuals and FAA regs in parts 43 and 91. The
FAA manual 43.13 [latest edition and all parts] as well as
some of the mechanics handbooks that are on the commercial
market will help the owner do a better job and save money
[and maybe lives] in the long run.

You will understand more about your airplane, why certain
parts are cheaper to replace anytime you have access to
them, such as alternator belts when the prop is off. You'll
know why it costs $30 in labor to put 15 cents worth of
grease in a landing gear bushing.

As you're doing the owner assisted annual, have the A&P
point out the things you can do as an owner as preventative
maintenance and how to make the logbook entry. Things like
lubrication and cleaning, replacing light bulbs and such
will save you money and reduce wear and tear on the
airplane. You have to use the right grease and oils, not 3
in 1 from the grocery store. You can also get some aircraft
grade cotter pins and safety wire and replace those that are
damaged or missing.

Buy your A&P some of his favorite ______ or take him [and
maybe his wife too] to a nice place to eat, like Outback or
whatever is good locally. Say Thank You, mechanics don't
hear that often enough.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
ups.com...
| After 6 years of Mooney ownership I'm doing my first owner
assisted
| annual. Most of my previous annuals have been done by
factory service
| centers. I'm quite a good wrench around cars so this
experience is
| mostly about me learning the standards & practices of
aircraft work.
| I'm amazed by a couple things...
| 1) The number of things I found that were not done that
I'd paid to
| have done at previous annuals.
| 2) The number of things done wrong (like no cotter key in
the wheel).
| 3) The amount of work an annual really requires. It took
me 6 hours
| just to remove all the inspection panels (including
drilling out
| several dozen screws). Lubing the 150 lube points wont go
too quick
| either.
|
| Its also interesting to me how many things are safety
wired while other
| things (that seem more important) are not. Brake calapers
are safety
| wired but fuel lines are not, etc. Its quite depressing to
see my plane
| in so many pieces. I've also discovered that its extreamly
irritating
| that the aircraft parts places are closed on weekends.
|
| I would highly recommend this experience to any aircraft
owner who is
| comfortable with a wrench.
|
| -Robert
|

Good maintenance takes time and time equals money. There is
too much poor maintenance, sometimes because the aircraft
owner just doesn't have the money to do the work and
sometimes because the shop, trying to keep cost down cuts
corners.

Well you can't get more expensive than the factory service centers I'd
been using. I no longer believe in the top dollar = good maintenance
anymore. When you're paying $105/hr for a $12/hr kid to replace your
access panels and he installs the antennas all backwards, you figure
money doens't necessarily equal good work.

-Robert

Spending money can be a waste. Money spent on a good shop
for work done right is cheap at almost any price. There are
good shops wit good mechanics and there are bad shops and
bad mechanics, and often the bad shop charges more dollars.

But if your mechanic tells you that a certain part needs to
be overhauled or replaced he may be trying to save your
life. If the shop rules don't let you actually speak with
the mechanic and they want you to deal with a service
manager, find a different shop or insist on talking with the
mechanic in private. You can describe the squawks you have
and he can tell you what he finds. He can show you the
V-belt that is worn but serviceable, but it is cheaper to
replace the belt because right now the prop is already off,
for example.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
| Good maintenance takes time and time equals money. There
is
| too much poor maintenance, sometimes because the
aircraft
| owner just doesn't have the money to do the work and
| sometimes because the shop, trying to keep cost down
cuts
| corners.
|
| Well you can't get more expensive than the factory service
centers I'd
| been using. I no longer believe in the top dollar = good
maintenance
| anymore. When you're paying $105/hr for a $12/hr kid to
replace your
| access panels and he installs the antennas all backwards,
you figure
| money doens't necessarily equal good work.
|
| -Robert
|