Annual Cost

[AlanA]

What is the cost of your annual and what was the most expensive ?

[clh]

The annual inspection itself usually is not that much. The new interior, avionics, and other "while we are at it"s are whole different story.

[Bob_Belville]

My shop's rate for a M20 inspection, including adjustments, lube etc. is $1380. An oil change and new filter is extra, as is any repairs. But owner assist is allowed with the time spent credited at his shop rate. 

 

I voted $1500: I paid the shop $1240 this year included new brakes, ELT battery, oil filter, remove and replace oil cooler. (plus $242 for cooler overhaul paid direct to Pacific Oil Cooler) (I was credited $270 for r&r one  piece belly, engine cowling and access panels) 

[Hank]

I always do owner assist, as much as the A&P/IA will let me do. Cost depends on what needs to be done besides "inspect." I have never dug through the paperwork closely enough to determine the cost of the actual inspection and paperwork review. Last annual I replaced both main tires & tubes; previous annuals have included wheel bearings at significant PMA markup vs. NAPA; one included electrical gremlin troubleshooting; etc.

 

Off the top of my head, I would guess ~1AMU but I open & close everything, clean/gap/reinstall the plugs and change oil as needed.

[fantom]

I know you're just trying to learn Alan, but the variables to such a broad question cloud the answers you'll get even given the items you've highlighted, many of which are not part of an annual inspection to begin with.

 

The model, the age and the basic condition of the plane, planned upgrades or repairs that have nothing to do with the annual inspection, as well as an owner's choice of delaying maintenance until annual time, or having it performed immediately, all dramatically alter the amount of total check written after an annual is completed.

 

I suspect your really asking what's the annual cost for all maintenance for a specific plane you have in mind. The cost for the annual inspection is quite another issue, and usually runs about $1,500 in my experience.

[AlanA]

It is a broad question but I think it can give valuable insight as what an owner can expect at annual time.  Some upgrades or option repairs are cheaper if done at the annual while cowlings and other parts are already removed.  Sometimes repairs cant' wait.  Over the years I have spent between $13000 and $3000 at the time of the annual.  This year I hope for it to be less as I earlier spent $5000 grand on avionics and another $1000 on new tires and other small fixes.   

 

What I think is especially interesting and insightful is the number of owners identifying costs of $1000 - $1500 because I believe this identifies what the lower range and actual base cost of the annual inspection can be if no additional repairs are needed or if an owner can assist in the inspection.

 

Also if you take the time on the poll to match up who voted for which cost  with who voted for the largest expense you can also get more information as to why the more expensive annuals were more expensive.

[TWinter]

Just from the posts above and general overview of the poll. I would think the closest guess is about $1500 avg, my base was 2K. Then whatever you need extra..ie mine needed cylinder and valve work because of low compression, an extra $1200, also add in for whatever extras you are having installed.  As a rule of thumb my guy charges $2000 for base annual . For the 2K I get a very complete and detailed annual with a very nice computer generated report and check-off list, also a written list of things we might need to address sometime in the future.

 

Now, if I go another 35 miles down the road I can get it done for about $800-900. Not so fancy with all the computer files etc, but a very qualified, but slightly older school A/P. Knows the business very well, just not the frills of the first guy. As mentioned above..lots of variables to consider, but a base I would say is about $1500 average.

[Bob_Belville]

Do most shops, and in particular MSCs, charge a flat price for the annual/100 hr inspection and add to that costs for repairs, mods, upgrades, etc that are done while the plane is down?  As noted about, my shop charges 23 shop hours for an M20 plus itemized parts and supplies. 

[fantom]

Do most shops, and in particular MSCs, charge a flat price for the annual/100 hr inspection and add to that costs for repairs, mods, upgrades, etc that are done while the plane is down?  As noted about, my shop charges 23 shop hours for an M20 plus itemized parts and supplies. 

 

That's been my experience, Bob, with slight adjustments for the type of Mooney.

[M016576]

MSC's can be pricey for an annual... Lasar charges something like $2500 for a J annual. I do know that.

[Jerry 5TJ]

If you want a figure for an extensive annual ask what is the cost to fix all the items found on a pre-buy inspection performed on a typical Mooney if done by a careful MSC.

I suspect that figure is a whole lot more than $1500. Its probably ten times higher.

[Jamie]

Here's my approach to calculating airplane expenses. It's fairly straightforward...

 

 

[gjkirsch]

This is too general of a question.  The base price of my annual was $2400.  BUT then the oxygen bottle was timed out $2800, and then it was time for an IFR certification $500.  Nothing was wrong with the plane which was good!

[OR75]

$500 is steep for the pitot-static check. Was there something wrong with the line or transponder ?

[FBCK]

My ifr cert this year in Canada was $900, I was bit surprised as well, annual is $2600.

[N601RX]

I just paid 280 for one earlier this year.

[quik flite]

I use Webers which is a Mooney Service Center @ Lancaster PA ,always very thorough and fairly priced, in the $2000 price range for an annual on a 1987  201  ,If  it needs something I know they are fair ,honest and knowledgeable and efficient . Like I always say a good Mooney Service Center does not cost more ,but if something is needed they are more likely to find it and repair it correctly the first time. Dorn and Steve and the guys there truly are a great bunch to work with.

[Immelman]

oops wrong forum disregard

[OR75]

My ifr cert this year in Canada was $900, I was bit surprised as well, annual is $2600.

just curious as to how it can add up to that amount .

is it the same as in the US ( makes sure the altimeter / encoder ) read the right altitude and that the transponder sends the data at the right frequency ?

[Cris]

Well This years owner assist annual cost me just $700 including an oil change. I couldn't do the poll because the $1000 cost was higher than what I spent. I did put fine wire plugs and cam guard into the engine but I had bought those some time ago so I did not count them. It helps to have a low time airframe also.

[PMcClure]

My first one with N1051K started this week. I'll let you know. On our F model, it was usually around $1k including all repairs (owner assisted). 

[Shadrach]

This thread is interesting.  My IA charges me $800 to do the inspection.  I have it opened up and ready to inspect. I also provide an AD search and list from one of the professional AD services. Any needed hardware typically comes from my stock. The cost of annual inspection this year plus squawks and upgrades was about $2200.  I needed to replace a missing mag blast tube ($79 from Mooney) also decided to install shoulder harnesses in the front seats (~$700 for an inertia reel for pilot and fixed strap for px).  New brake pads (don't recall cost) and a few other sundry items. I did all of the work (though he ran the rivet gun while I bucked on the blast tube). It took 2 Saturdays and part of a Sunday to knock it out. Seat belts were a 6hr project.

[Awful_Charlie]

Just a bit too vague a question for a simple answer and poll response.  An annual might just be the inspection, paperwork, engine oil and filter & gyro filter, or might be that and any one or more of tyres, plugs, oxygen cylinder, prop overhaul, radio/transponder checks, brakes, hoses, engine mounts, gear shock discs, ELT battery, vacuum pumps, TIT probes, the list goes on and on!

 

I'd guess about 1500-2000CHF for the minimum, with one or two 'easy' things included (eg fuel cap O rings), but normally end up with 2500-3000CHF (a CHF is near as dammit to a dollar at the moment).  Previously with a 40 year old brand P retractable I had annuals from 1000GBP to 9000GBP - fortunately not too many of the latter!

[Shadrach]

Technically, an annual inspection is just that, an inspection.  15hrs is about what it should take. If you open it up and jack it yourself..figure on around 12hrs.  Anything beyond the inspection is maintenance..