Cost of Annual

[Tommy]

Most definitely choose a workshop that allows you to assist. Even by just taking down all those damn screws from the access panels and put them back can easily save you $500 in labour cost! Another couple of hundred in taking down the seats and sides and put them back on. 

 

Not to mention that you will learn a thing or two about your aircraft AND KEEPING THE WORKSHOP HONEST (that's why I hate about car maintenance - no car workshop I know allow you to be on the floor, citing safety reasons. You just don't know if they actually replaced things that they said they did and the quality of their workmanship)

[PMcClure]

Just came out of annual. $1800 base plus another $600 for add on (not including parts). 

[moosebreath]

I had my J done at Lasar in October.  The base price was 30 hours and $3100 before squawks.  They were very thorough and I was completely satisfied.

[Bennett]

LASAR has done the bulk of my Mooney annuals. Not cheap, but well worth the cost. How do you price peace of mind?

[flyboy0681]

 How do you price peace of mind?

 

R O L A I D S

[jetdriven]

105$ and hour. What does the guy who actually is doing the work make?

[M016576]

105$ and hour. What does the guy who actually is doing the work make?

Not $105 an hour.

[Parker_Woodruff]

105$ and hour. What does the guy who actually is doing the work make?

the cost of owning an aviation business on an airfield is high. And then add the California multiple. Then add some premium for having the client base (demand) side that makes your shop in demand. Profit accordingly. the day it's not worth what they're charging is the day they wont have demand to keep the doors open *and/or* they Do shoddy work that stifles demand.

It sounds like they're doing everything right.

[Parker_Woodruff]

I, for one, am tired of being the "undercut the price" kind of guy in the pilot services/CFI business. It wore me out and sometimes it's as if I lost money on some deals. If I can bring a better service to my clients, I'm going to charge for it. They don't have to pay it and they can find some timebuilder who will work for $200/day.

That mentality is a bit different in the aviation insurance world because a huge component of me bringing value to my clients is achieving the most favorable rates for the insurance coverage provided.

[WardHolbrook]

It's one thing to offer quality at a reduced price - that's the basis of capitalism and it inspires innovation, However, when all is said and done, you usually get exactly what you pay for. 

[Parker_Woodruff]

It's one thing to offer quality at a reduced price - that's the basis of capitalism and it inspires innovation, However, when all is said and done, you usually get exactly what you pay for.

I never had an event that scared me in the air in regards to the condition of either of my Don Maxwell maintained Mooneys (500 hours or so between the two).

but let me tell ya, that one guy's plane I flew who had it expertly maintained by a guy in that worked to Maxwell's standards except for $45 an hour and can identify a Mooney from 500 feet away because of its backwards tail left me with a million problems and a ticked off owner when I refused to fly his plane any further.

That and the owner who refused to believe that one of his cylinders was actually cracked....he replaced it shortly thereafter... "I don't believe in that Mooney Service Center gar-bage"

Another unique story...I just flew a Mooney from FL to CA without a single problem. The A&P who restored it hadnt really maintained any Mooneys, but did everything to Mooney spec and talked to the factory when he needed support. Charged the owner a premium and I think the owner got exactly what he paid for...a fine airplane returned to service in excellent condition. There's hope for the non-MSCs in the world.

[WardHolbrook]

I've got my share of personal manufacturers service center "horror stories" as well. It's like everything else, it all boils down to the individual doing the work, not the name of the company printed on the face of his paycheck. When you find that "golden" mechanic you'd be wise to do what you need to do to keep him happy. I've got a short list of gurus for every aircraft make and model I've ever flown - not all of them were local. 

[DaV8or]

105$ and hour. What does the guy who actually is doing the work make?

 

Anybody who asks this question hasn't actually run a business with employees. In the avaition business I imagine the overhead to be huge. Insurance these days... Workman's comp, Business personal property, liability, automotive, is getting ridiculously expensive. Then there is rent. It goes up every year even if your income doesn't. Then there is 10-15 other vendors you have to pay every month for their services, or utility. Oh... and there's taxes, fees and permits to buy. And the fire marshal and OSHA guy you have to pay off...

 

It goes on and on...

 

If you're lucky, there's some profit at the end.