Just Finished My Annual

Geico266

Geico266

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
Jun 15, 2008
Messages
19,136
Location
Husker Nation, NE
Display Name
Display name:
Geico
I replaced the left harness, ( I had it sitting in the box) and had the Slick rebuilt locally and bench tested.
Rebuilt the airbox as the filter was not sitting properly. ( used a aluminum plate in the bottom to build it up, per Vans)
Replaced the prop control cable. Heat damaged after 6 years, relocated to a cooler area.
All the usual stuff, oil, filter, plugs, controls; oiled and inspected, retorqued all bolts I could get at.
Replaced the quick drain with a standard oil plug. Damn thing has leaked for years.
Had an A&P looking over my shoulder for a week.

Took the RV-10 for a quick 30 min shake down run ( after sign off) and found a really smooth running aircraft!

Total cost under $500. :dunno:

Every year I dread the annual, every year I have a ball doing it. Makes me feel good to know the plane was inspected by the pilot. :D

Who else does their own annuals?
Who else likes getting their hands dirty?
Who else loves to know they have personally inspected almost every bolt and rivet in their plane.

I love wrenching on planes! :yes:
 
Last edited:
Geico266 said:
I replaced the left harness, ( I had it sitting in the box) and had the Slick rebuilt locally and bench tested.
Rebuilt the airbox as the filter was not sitting properly. ( used a aluminum plate in the bottom to build it up, per Vans)
Replaced the prop control cable. Heat damaged after 6 years, relocated to a cooler area.
All the usual stuff, oil, filter, plugs, controls; oiled and inspected, retorqued all bolts I could get at.
Replaced the quick drain with a standard oil plug. Damn thing has leaked for years.
Had an A&P looking over my shoulder for a week.

Took the RV-10 for a quick 30 min shake down run ( after sign off) and found a really smooth running aircraft!

Total cost under $500. :dunno:

Every year I dread the annual, every year I have a ball doing it. Makes me feel good to know the plane was inspected by the pilot. :D

Who else does their own annuals?
Who else likes getting their hands dirty?
Who else loves to know they have personally inspected almost every bolt and rivet in their plane.

I love wrenching on planes! :yes:
Click to expand...
Mine hasn't been nearly as smooth. Cylinder situation still up in the air - still working on the wings...
 
I need to start doing my annual (condition) inspections. $6,800 this year. Rip off!
 
About $2500 in parts, free labor and free inspector.

And VERY happy with the results i might add. the smoothed or close second, engine i fly behind out of 7 aircraft I've flown or ridden in this year.
 
Last edited:
Just finished owner assist. It saves money but more importantly I learn some cool stuff.
 
The only way I own a plane is to sign off the annual myself as a A&P/IA . Still cost money for parts like filters oil and other consumeable items used every year. Not so much fun anymore as my age is creaping up on me.
 
jesse said:
Mine hasn't been nearly as smooth. Cylinder situation still up in the air - still working on the wings...
Click to expand...

That sucks Jesse, but all part of it. Let me know if you need another set of eyes.

What's up with the wings?
 
Texastaildragger said:
Just finished owner assist. It saves money but more importantly I learn some cool stuff.
Click to expand...
Think the more people who get involved in their annual the better for aviation in general.the more you understand your own airplane the better for all involved.Rather than question the mechanic who did the inspection now you have an idea of what needs to be done.
 
As most of you know I'm not shy, never been. If I have a question I call on the FBO, several A&P buddies, Vans, VAF, POA, or the manufacturer of the part or system. I learn a lot. No one knows it all, no one,but I make it a passion of mine to know my plane better than anyone else.
 
Last edited:
jesse said:
Mine hasn't been nearly as smooth. Cylinder situation still up in the air - still working on the wings...
Click to expand...

Did you contact Jerry?

not sure the PMs worked?
 
I have to do all of my annuals from now on, I don't have a shop full of mechanics to do it for me any more. It's funny that the customers aircraft always gets done first. Sometimes my annual would take weeks. I guess I need to do paying work first.
 
One of the big reasons I own an EAB so I can do my own "Condition Inspection" The problem I find is when it comes time to sign it off. I must explain that I do not want nor does the FAA want anything written that states this aircraft is airworthy.
Gone around and around with A&P's over that, and I do not need an IA thank you. Gone around and around over that one too. I have had A&P's tell me they will not do a Condition inspection for they where not an IA. I tried to explain the rules, like talking to a wall.
 
Last edited:
It's very nice to be able to sign of my ELSA condition inspection.
 
RotorAndWing said:
I take it you didn't build your airplane and you don't hold a repairman certificate?
Click to expand...

No I did not build my airplane. Charles Lovett built my airplane. Nor do I hold a Repairman certificate. I came into aviation just a few years ago. This late in life and with my health it is what it is.
 
1600vw said:
No I did not build my airplane. Charles Lovett built my airplane. Nor do I hold a Repairman certificate. I came into aviation just a few years ago. This late in life and with my health it is what it is.
Click to expand...

Did you find an A&P to sign off the inspections? What does he charge?
 
I found 3 A&P's in my area whom all said they would do this for me for free.
 
Having the ability to sign off my ELSA is becoming more and more valuable as older A&Ps around here retire or are increasingly refusing to sign off new customers - they will do work but not sign off except for old, established customers. Got stuck with my glider this year. I'd very much like to have all airplanes I can personally sign off. I've even toyed with the idea of getting an A&P just for myself but that's not practical. Still, it's hard to find a traditional glider SLSA or ELSA (not one of these quasi-airplane gliders) or I'd be shopping.
 
Can you guys identify your aircraft? :dunno: I'm new here and kinda curious. Jesse has a flybaby and Geigo has, I think, a couple of RVs. How about the rest of you guys, unless it's in your signature of course.
 
Getting ready for my first condition inspection ... RV-6 turns into a pumpkin at the end of the month.
 
JoeSelch said:
Getting ready for my first condition inspection ... RV-6 turns into a pumpkin at the end of the month.
Click to expand...

Have fun!

I really enjoyed my first few, but now its a bit of a chore, especially now that its no longer at an airport 5 minutes away. At the end of a work day I'm ready to head home so I usually do it on weekends, but now its harder to get myself to just pop in and do a couple hours work.
 
Skylane81E said:
Have fun!

I really enjoyed my first few, but now its a bit of a chore, especially now that its no longer at an airport 5 minutes away. At the end of a work day I'm ready to head home so I usually do it on weekends, but now its harder to get myself to just pop in and do a couple hours work.
Click to expand...

Not exactly expecting to have fun. At least I've never found annuals on my old plane to be much fun. Educational, yes. But, after several old motorcycles and a car many years ago, I've lost interest in wrenching.

We'll see how this goes ... ;)
 
+1. After a hundred or so, the novelty starts to wear off.
Skylane81E said:
Have fun!

I really enjoyed my first few, but now its a bit of a chore, especially now that its no longer at an airport 5 minutes away. At the end of a work day I'm ready to head home so I usually do it on weekends, but now its harder to get myself to just pop in and do a couple hours work.
Click to expand...
 
Tom-D said:
OMG do not show that vid to the FAA, no one in the cockpit, and the tail is not tied down. and the N number is exposed..
Click to expand...

Tail was attached to the car behind it when I propped it, removed it because I didn't want to keep blasting the car, also was chocked. I've checked those particular Chocks before and the airplane won't jump them even at full power.

I'm pretty damn careful about it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top