Maintenance Services

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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. Modifications approved by the FAA in the last 20 years have a thing called ICA or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness. Each of these modifications has its own inspection requirements and limitations that have to be complied with. Something like a Cessna 180 with all the bells and whistles can easily have lots of additional inspection time!

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.