First Annual Inspection

[jimluper]

In November I am due my first annual inspection on my clean 1975 M-20E.

 

I live just outside of Tampa Florida and need to find someone to perform this inspection. I DO NOT want to pay for someone to nick pick the plane and run up a huge bill.

 

It would be great if they allowed me to assist as I want to know as much about my plane as is realistic time allowing.

 

I am not hung up on having to go to a special Mooney shop but want someone who does know what to look for on my bird.

 

All input is appreciated.

[mooney17n]

PM me. I'm near Orlando and give give you some input.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Phil Jimenez @ PJ aircraft service in Avon Park has worked on many many Mooneys belonging to many owners on this board. No complaints from anyone as far as I know. I even prefer him over the Texas MSC'a for annuals now

[David Mazer]

There is an IA for JetBlue at SFB that has been doing many of the annuals at my ramp recently.  He has done my Rocket twice and another 252 on the field.  His rates are reasonable and he is very detail oriented.  He has done a very nice job for me and I feel my plane is safer for it.  He works half the week at JetBlue and half the week doing this so if it isn't done in the 3 or 4 days he has this week, you wait.  However, all in, his time to get things done, and done right, really isn't longer than others I have used.  He's getting pretty busy so he may not have time but if your interested, his name is Chris Reilly and his email address is creillysfb@gmail.com.

 

I have flown my plane over to SRQ for work and don't parrticularly like it so the distance may be an issue but I think his work is worth considering it.

[Jeff_S]

You are right to seek out a reputable AP/IA to do the work. But don't kid yourself that your "clean" airplane will necessarily skate by during an annual inspection. A good inspector's job is to find the things you might otherwise not find, and help you make decisions about what is needed to keep the airplane airworthy.

 

It's not clear whether or not this is your first ever annual inspection, or the first one with your new plane. I'll err on the side of over-communicating and urge you to go to Mike Busch's seminars online at http://www.savvymx.com. There is a great one there that tells you how to make sure you don't get taken for a ride at annual. The key thing to remember is that any maintenance or service work outside of the regular annual inspection elements should require consultation and approval from your BEFORE the work begins.

 

In other words, the inspection should have three phases. Phase I is the "inspection" where they go through all the required points and identify a list of any discrepancies. Phase II is when they present this list of discrepancies to you and you mutually decide what required immediate attention vs. what can be deferred. Phase III is when they do the work and return an airworthy plane to a happy owner.

 

If you go through these phases at your annual, you can keep your surprise and hassle factor to a minimum.

[Wildhorsesracing]

If you don't mind the distance contact Lou Pugliese at Flying Leaf Aviation, 336-626-3600, http://www.flyingleafaviation.com/ in Asheboro, NC.

 

He lets me help and knows Mooneys very well.

[preinke]

Lou did my first annual on 201PL in Danbury. I hung out there for a couple weeks and took lessons from Mike the cop and Tony. Great memories...

[flyboy0681]

Phil Jimenez @ PJ aircraft service in Avon Park has worked on many many Mooneys belonging to many owners on this board. No complaints from anyone as far as I know. I even prefer him over the Texas MSC'a for annuals now

 

Phil comes highly recommended and I've used him in the past. If you pick him up at Avon Park he will drop you back off and fly the plane back to his facility, free of charge.