Cost of Annual

[DonMuncy]

I just had a chat with my nearest MSC. They quoted a base price of about $2700 for an annual on a 231. Last year that number was about $1800. What are the rest of you experiencing.

[DonMuncy]

I forgot to mention, this is in north Texas.

[ArtVandelay]

My J was 1800+parts, can't imagine turbo adds that much, MSC in Florida

[Parker_Woodruff]

Everything I'm hearing is $1900 - $2700

 

Most recent one I heard yesterday was a good shop in central florida charging $2,600 for an M20F.

 

Accounting for 24-26 hours of labor, AD research, and logbooks, I'd say that's about right.

[Mooneymite]

Ouch!

 

Makes me glad I have a 'C' and don't live in that part of TX!

 

Do you participate in the annual?

[BigTex]

I was shocked to pay $2300 with no squawks back in June!

[DonMuncy]

Gary,

I assume you had yours done in Denton as well, and the $400 difference is because mine is a K.

[DonMuncy]

Mooneymite,

I have never done an "owner assisted". Not because I don't want to. I have never had one done where they did/allowed them.

[bonal]

Jeez I hope my next will come in under 3K my first 2 were brutal and I do owner assist but the first 2 needed some big ticket items replaced. Hopefully next will have nothing more than normal service items.

[Mooneymite]

An owner assist annual requires a lot of time....particularly if the IA is talkative.  

 

So, from that aspect, it may not really save you any money.  However, if you have the time, it is the way to go.

 

I've done owner assist for about 14 years, and I swear, sometimes I think I'd like to just drop it off and have it all done, but .....

[bonal]

A lot of it has to do with your mech skills and how much they are willing to let you do. I asked how much I was saving and was told about 500 a day. I know that from the time I show up right when they open I am working steady for the whole day a lot of labor kind of things but it's all stuff that has to be done.

[Mooneymite]

So much of the work on an annual is not "skilled"!  It is just menial tasks that take a lot of time.  The tasks that actually require skill are really minimal once you get into the job.

 

Everytime I remove an access panel, or all the screws on the belly, I wonder why Mooney didn't incorporate more hinged panels....

[Guest]

The cost of an Annual inspection is wide ranging. For every maintainer there is a different standard.

We use the airframe manufacturer's check list and the regulatory sections of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. These mandate annual tachometer accuracy check, annual magnetic compass swing, annual First Aid kit inspection, annual cabin fire extinguisher inspection, 10 year propeller overhaul, among others.

Then there are all of the repairs brought about by the inspection. First year 100 hour/ Annual inspections can be expensive. In many cases the Annual inspection portion of the bill is the smaller portion.

Then top it off with 13% sales tax on the entire invoice.

Clarence

[TWinter]

My E typically runs $2000. I've used the same shop for the last three years so he already has the AD list etc.. set-up in his computer . Very thorough shop so I've stuck with him.

[BigTex]

Gary,

I assume you had yours done in Denton as well, and the $400 difference is because mine is a K.

 

I did but not at the FBO you used.  It was performed by my regular on-field A&P this year.

[FlyWalt]

I have a gentleman in Central Florida who is excellent and reasonably priced. He is happy to let someone do owner assisted. PM me for a referal if interested.

[FlyWalt]

Honestly, I would never pay 2700 for the mere inspection. If any vendor raises their prices like that in one year I break out the negotiating hat and go shopping for a new vendor.

 

Too many aviation vendors seem to think that skyway robbery is the way to stay in business. I have been through two av mech shops that will never call me their customer again for that very reason.

[Danb]

Don the thing that would have bothered me is not the cost which unfortunately for my Bravo is more at aMSC is the fact that the is the fact that the basic inspection increased a whopping 50% actually more than 50% then will the associated extra items also go up proportionally...if so you may exceed 5 G's is some unknowns are uncovered....good luck and hopefully you'll

Not have any surprises. I may for the 1st time contact various MSC next year and check out prices based on your experience

[Marauder]

You boys will never win the Cheap Bast$&d of the year award paying dem der prices. I think the key is staying with a mechanic you trust. Knowing the plane helps. My base annual is $1,500 but I always find things I want done.

[bonal]

Sadly We can't control the things that are found during inspections so we pay what we have to pay to keep our airplanes safe. As for the cheap B&$/&ard award you guys aren't even in my league. Cracks me up watching every one floundering around with their examples of cheapness.

[mcpilot]

I am lucky to have a great mechanic on the field.  (Not a MSC though)

 

His charges are flat rate:

 

Annual  $1800

 

Owner Assisted Annual  $3600

 

I usually go with the plain annual....

[Mooneymite]

The bottom line is that doing an annual is time consumming. If you squeeze your IA to keep his price down, he has to limit the hours....something won't be done, or it won't be done right.

We need to support our IA's. They are worthy of a decent living; they are a necessary part of ownership.

An owner who can work under supervision can reduce the IA's hours and the owner can make sure the annual is thorough. Unless the IA doesn't have enough work to stay busy, he'd really rather let an owner do the grunt work. It really can be win-win.

[Hank]

I'm not "cheap," I'm "frugal!" I do owner assisted annuals to learn, to see for myself how she's made, how things work and what shape everything is in. Each year my IA lets me do more, as he gets more comfortable with my work.

Compared to these horror stories, I am incredibly frugal and make poor George scream loudly before letting go. And like Gus, thank God I have a C!!

[Bob_Belville]

My IA charges $1580 flat rate for my M20E.

 

Then he credits me for my time as owner assist. This year I was credited $1000 netting $580 for the annual. The plane stays in my hanger, I have jacks. I buy and change oil, filters, lubricants. etc. I remove and replace panels, seats, carpet, battery, etc.

 

(FWIW, I would not spend my time on anyone elses plane to make $1000. But I really like to know everything I can about my plane.)

 

We typically don't find much wrong since I know the plane pretty well and fix anything that needs fixing whenever it comes up.

[Sabremech]

My annuals only cost me the parts. My labor is free. Must put me in the really cheap category!