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#41
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After an annual?
When you pick up your plane after an annual, is there any special things you do? ..stuff snipped As the responses tell you, more than one person has had one or more "errors" after their annual. It is likely that something may be missed when the number of operations performed increases. I noticed some say to "check the oil filter". I am from the school that says that the annual inspection is just that. An inspection. I make sure that all filters (oil, air, vacuum) are already changed and other owner permissible maintenance is performed. This minimizes the chances that something is amiss post annual because fewer things have been done. I also look the beast over carefully at each oil change and note anything amiss. If I cannot legally fix it, I take it to the IA with parts in hand and we do the job together. He does not really like chasing after parts. And, since he is retired, he is not depending on the retail parts price spread as a source of income. I really LIKE chasing after parts and don't mind spending hours to get the right one(s). But, the end is near. My IA is of sufficient age that he is hanging it up. He may do another year with me, but maybe not. It is a shame that owner assisted annuals are the exception rather than the rule. I realize that most owners have neither the time, tools, experience, desire, or cooperation by the local shop to participate. But those of us who do are finding it increasingly difficult to get into such an arrangement. So, to answer the original question in another way, I would suggest you offer to participate. That way you will be there to observe the proper way to do things and you will provide a free set of eyeballs to help out. Good luck, Mike |
#42
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After an annual?
So tell me, grasshopper, how many years of working on your airplane do you
have? Enough to qualify for the 30 months of experience to sit for the A&P exam? And will your IA sign the experience letter so that you can take the exam? Then after a few years of legal wrenching can you walk into the FSDO and ask for the signoff letter for your own IA? And carry on the tradition of your mentor doing owner-assisted annuals? And then someone behind you gets to carry on...and behind him/her ... and so on. This is all one big circle, bucko, and you are somewhere on it. Jim But, the end is near. My IA is of sufficient age that he is hanging it up. He may do another year with me, but maybe not. It is a shame that owner assisted annuals are the exception rather than the rule. |
#43
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After an annual?
So tell me, grasshopper, how many years of working on your airplane do you have? Enough to qualify for the 30 months of experience to sit for the A&P exam? And will your IA sign the experience letter so that you can take the exam? Then after a few years of legal wrenching can you walk into the FSDO and ask for the signoff letter for your own IA? And carry on the tradition of your mentor doing owner-assisted annuals? And then someone behind you gets to carry on...and behind him/her ... and so on. This is all one big circle, bucko, and you are somewhere on it. Jim But, the end is near. My IA is of sufficient age that he is hanging it up. He may do another year with me, but maybe not. It is a shame that owner assisted annuals are the exception rather than the rule. 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. Since you asked: I have been working on my airplane for 13 years (cylinder changes, landing gear rebuilds, metal patches, wiring repair, A/C removal, Mag R&R and timing, upholstery, vac pump replacements, fuel and oil line replacements, Installing new wingtips/dorsal fairings, repairing fiberglass nose cowling, pulling fuel tanks, rebuilding fuel selector, R&R fuel sending units, painting, rigging, and various other repairs - all under the supervision of my IA - paying him by the hour for the privilege). Before that, I did auto engine mechanics and body work for 15 years. During that time, I also had a 4 year electronics course and briefly repaired electronic gizmos (back in the days when you could actually repair them). I also have experience with upholstery, high current electrical wiring, auto/boat/truck refinishing systems, and a few other odds and ends. I worked as an assembler in a machine shop for 2 years putting together high speed automation machines. That involved fabricating various parts and assembling electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, high freq induction heater, and other systems). Hey, you asked for the resume. I am a pretty crappy chess player though, so please don't ask me about that on the test. 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. My PPL and Instrument scores were 100% and I DID get a great night's sleep, but I digress. Like I said, I am amazed at a person's dedication to go into the business. You guys are truly amazing. 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)? Warily, Mike |
#44
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After an annual?
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 |
#45
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After an annual?
In article ,
"RST Engineering" wrote: 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. Would it make you fell a little better if I say that I'm very happy with the two mechanics that work on my airplane? Both are prior-military (USAF) mechanics (crew chiefs). One has his IA and the other will get it soon. And both do it part-time. -- Bob Noel Looking for a sig the lawyers will hate |
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