Maintenance Services
Inspections
Owner Assisted Maintenance
Annual Inspections
25/50/100 Hour Inspection
Progressive Inspection
Over G Inspection
Hard Landing Inspection
Safety Inspection
Technical Inspection
Annual Inspections
Owner Assisted Maintenance
Annual Inspections
Every 12 months your aircraft needs an annual or condition inspection as defined in FAR 43. This is our bread and butter! Honest, thorough safety and compliance our our priorities. Give us a call and discuss your next inspection!
Owner Assisted Maintenance
Owner Assisted Maintenance
Owner Assisted Maintenance
Get hands on! Learn about your aircraft and save a few bucks too! We are willing to work with most owners who want to wrench on their aircraft. This is allowable with supervision of an A&P.
Major & Minor Repairs
Oil Change & Tune Up Service
Owner Assisted Maintenance
Major repairs are defined by the FAA under FAR 43 Appendix A, and require a 337 form and approval for return to service by an A&P IA (Inspection Authorization). We are able to do much of this work, and what we can't we know who can. Shoot us an email so we can help you out.
STC Installations
Oil Change & Tune Up Service
Oil Change & Tune Up Service
We can install various STC applications. From Tail pull handles, to STOL kits to sun visors and shoulder harnesses. Send us the information for an estimate!
Oil Change & Tune Up Service
Oil Change & Tune Up Service
Oil Change & Tune Up Service
Call it a 25 hour or a 50 hour! If you need service between annual inspections, we can get you in an out in a day or less. Changing oil to testing and servicing spark plugs, checking magneto timing, cleaning air filters, seasonal carburetor mixture adjustments and wooden prop seasonal bolt re-torquing/
Restoration
Emergency, Mobile, 24HR & AOG Services
Emergency, Mobile, 24HR & AOG Services
Everything is old on these planes and needs more than just a lubrication and oil change. From complete aircraft to minor components, we can make most parts like new, and sometimes better than new!
Emergency, Mobile, 24HR & AOG Services
Emergency, Mobile, 24HR & AOG Services
Emergency, Mobile, 24HR & AOG Services
Whatever day or time it is, if you're in distress, give us a call! We will do our best to accommodate your needs or help find you someone that can!
Tundra Tire Field Approvals
Emergency, Mobile, 24HR & AOG Services
Tundra Tire Field Approvals
Big tires are trendy right now, but most airplanes don't have the proper approval for sizes beyond 8.00-6. Let us help you with a field approval for your tire on your airframe!
We can get the tire you want approved in most cases. The cost for this is $375 and we can update your airplanes weight & balance to reflect the equipment change.
Call to learn more!
Flat Tire Recovery
Flat Tire Recovery
Tundra Tire Field Approvals
We carry almost all general aviation tire sizes and brands and can be dispatched anywhere in Northern California in minimal time.
Parts
Flat Tire Recovery
Parts
We have a huge inventory of new and used parts among our various locations to serve most general aviation needs. If not in stock, we can order most anything you need and have it here in as little as the next day! Click here for a list of many of our used items for sale.
Other Services
Apprasials
Pre-Purchase Evaluation
Pre-Purchase Evaluation
Experienced and thorough appraisals. Often combines with a pre-purchase evaluation. Helpful for selling and insurance purposes.
Pre-Purchase Evaluation
Pre-Purchase Evaluation
Pre-Purchase Evaluation
Often called a Pre-Buy Inspection, an evaluation of an aircraft prior to purchase is a MUST! An qualified and experienced opinion of an aircraft can save you thousands! Check out the page about Pre-Purchase Evaluations!
Aircraft Sales
Pre-Purchase Evaluation
Aircraft Sales
No nonsense representation of your aircraft. Don't deal with potential buyers who will waste your time. Don't deal with sleazy brokers! We have successfully sold a handful of aircraft within their target price in as little as 1 hour! Its an odd market right now, let us help you get top dollar with as little hassle as possible! Were not brokers, were pilots, owners and mechanics. We live and breathe airplanes! We also charge alot less!
Wreck Recovery
Dynamic Prop Balancing
Aircraft Sales
We can safely and efficiently recover a wreck or damaged aircraft intact to a secure location on or off airport for repair or insurance claims.
We are able to recover and store aircraft for insurance companies during the course of the settlement and resale of the salvaged aircraft is complete.
Insurance Salvage Storage.
Dynamic Prop Balancing
Dynamic Prop Balancing
Dynamic Prop Balancing
Dynamic Propeller Balancing. Remove odd vibrations caused by an out of balance propeller.
Aircraft Weighing
Dynamic Prop Balancing
Dynamic Prop Balancing
Aircraft Weighing and New Aircraft Weight Report and Equipment Listings
Hangar Space
Aerial Photography
Hangar Space
We have various hangar space options available at many airports in the region. Currently Hangar space available at:
Calaveras County Airport KCPU
Livermore, CA KLVK
Oxygen
Aerial Photography
Hangar Space
We are able to service Aviators Breathing Oxygen (ABO).
We can travel to area airports for Oxygen service with prior arrangements.
Aerial Photography
Aerial Photography
Aerial Photography
Air to Air Photography with our professional, published photographer.
ADS-B
Log Book Audit
Aerial Photography
Installation of ADS-B systems.
uAvionix certified installer.
Log Book Audit
Log Book Audit
Log Book Audit
Organize and verify your aircraft records. Clean up excess and duplicate records and remove non critical paper to streamline your aircraft's maintenance file.
Courtesy Cars
Log Book Audit
Log Book Audit
Courtesy Cars are available with prior arrangements! If you come up for a "while you wait" service, we can provide you with a car to visit the local area!
TRaining, Flight Instruction & Aircraft Rental
Introductory Flights
Introductory Flights
Introductory Flights
Have you wondered what it might be like to pilot a plane yourself?
Or what your house looks like from above? Come feel the wind under your wings!
Call us for a special introductory rate and start your path to becoming a certified pilot!
Flight Training
Introductory Flights
Introductory Flights
Experienced CFI, CFII and MEI's on staff available for flight reviews and transition or insurance checkouts. Can provide some types for type checkouts!
Tailwheels are our specialty!
Piper PA-22 Tail Wheel
Cessna 120 / 140
PA-24-250 Comanche
Piper PA-20 (Not Currently Available)
Aircraft Rental
Bush Flying Course
Bush Flying Course
Piper PA-22 Tail Wheel "22/20" $140 HR Wet
Cessna 120 85HP, Electric Start $110 HR Wet
Our Aircraft are operated through the Columbia Flying Club.
Bush Flying Course
Bush Flying Course
Bush Flying Course
Mountain Flying, Bush Flying, Big Tires, STOL & Safety techniques course.
Flown in our planes or yours. (PA20, PA22TW,C120)
What is an Annual Inspection?
Common questions regarding Annual Inspections
How much does an Annual Inspection cost?
Its tough to say. Generally an estimate can be determined based on flat rate and labor allowance manuals and experience working on a certain aircraft type. The "flat rate" consists of inspection and limited servicing. Repairs and other service are generally charged separate. The biggest expense I discover while performing an annual is the paperwork. It can take several days to sort through an improperly organized and sorted aircraft maintenance file. The first time seeing an aircraft for an annual inspection does cost more as the time spent to see the entire air frame and sort the aircraft records have to happen the first time a mechanic sees the aircraft. The subsequent inspections get a lot easier and cheaper once the first time items are addressed, and the mechanic is familiar with that particular airplane.
Additional items like any STC modifications or upgrades require inspections in accordance with the instructions for continued airworthiness. Power flow exhausts require additional inspection and repair, Robertson STOL kits have a yearly rigging inspection etc.
I break down the charges on your invoice that make it clear where your money is spent.
What is included in an Annual Inspection?
An annual inspection includes the items outlined in FAR 43 Appendix D. Things like removing the wheels to inspect the wheel bearings are included in the flat rate price, as are the oil changes. Even though FAR Part 43 Appendix D does NOT require an oil change at 100 HR/ Annual, we do that anyways. Items such as the oil and filters are not part of the flat rate price. Parts and materials are charged as additional parts.
How long does an Annual Inspection or maintenance take?
In the wake of Covid19, shippers and vendors have been affected. Shipping has taken alot longer and items sent out for repair have a much longer turn around time. I am seeing the average annual inspection with repairs taking about 3 weeks. Its usually about 1 week (5-7 business days) but an additional week due to slower shipping is considered. I have had a single airplane waiting 6 weeks on a muffler and a 172 waiting 2 weeks on a magneto, just this year (2020). A simple inspection with minimal parts has taken 3 weeks only because of delays by vendors and shipping. ( March 2021)
Can you have it done by......?
NO. Simple answer to these types of questions is always: NO. Working with deadlines does not work. Pressures on mechanics can leave to complacency and short cuts. We don't jeopardize safety. We work expeditiously and try to turn your airplane around in a timely fashion, however there are many circumstances that prevent knowing what could happen or how long a hold up may last. If you have a deadline, plan ahead for it. Get your inspection or maintenance done well before your "I need the airplane by" date. We do many AOG or priority maintenance, but inspections always take longer than anticipated. Within the Covid era, suppliers and vendors have been behind on production and parts acquisition. the ability to procure common parts has become difficult! In 2021, tires took months to get. even common and standard sizes! In 2022 alone items like oil filters have become nearly impossible to source. This reason alone is enough of an unknown to guarantee a complete by date.
Do you do Owner Assisted Maintenance and Annuals?
Absolutely. I appreciate an owner who has interest in knowing more about his airplane. That said I have had MANY owner assisted annuals and maintenance where having the owner involved actually cost the owner more money. Having to slow down the pace of an inspection and time to stop and explain or teach the owner about various topics still cost shop rate. If you as an owner are interested in learning, that can be appreciated and understood, but as an owner looking to save a buck, you gotta know what you're doing and work quickly! I consider Owner Assisted on a case by case basis. Generally owner assisted at your hangar is NOT going to be cheaper than just dropping it off at our shop.
What do you look for on a Pre-Purchase Inspection?
I could talk for days about that one! See our Pre-Purchase page where we dive into more detail regarding Pre-Purchase Evaluations.
Repair Work PHOTO GALLERY
