Survived my first annual.

[N9405V]

Well, we just finished up the first annual on my new to me 1970 M20E. I've had the plane about three months and have flown her about 20 hours. We had a long list of minor issues and a few "is that the way it is supposed to work" questions, but all in all it went great. My mechanic let me help out to the tune of two full days in his shop opening up panels, assisting him where needed, and closing back up panels. I learned a lot and would highly suggest that you participate in the annual as much as you can.

[Guitarmaster]

Mine is coming up in January.  I will be doing the "owner assist" as well.  

[Hank]

I highly recommend owner-assisted annuals to learn how your plane us put together, and keep up with its condition.

I also highly recommend the double-ratcheting screwdriver from Lowes for opening panels. Saves wear and tear on your forearms, and won't cross thread any screws or spin and destroy the phillips slot.

[N201MKTurbo]

I started doing owner assisted annuals. They turned into mechanic assisted annuals and then into mechanic comes by to sign it off annuals. Till I was doing other airplanes for him. He finally said "go get your damn license" so I did.

[bonal]

I started doing owner assisted annuals. They turned into mechanic assisted annuals and then into mechanic comes by to sign it off annuals. Till I was doing other airplanes for him. He finally said "go get your damn license" so I did.

I think a lot of that has to do with the shops assessment of your mech skills. As for me and my shop we use Dewalt quarter inch drivers I can't imagine turning all those screws by hand.

Great to hear about your first annual perhaps it's a Christmas Miracle

[N9405V]

My mechanic and I just seemed to click so we got along well. We both have the goal of the airplane being safe, but balancing it with the need to protect the checkbook. I don't feel like anything he recommended was out of line. I was also really impressed with the pace that his guys worked. Very professional, steady paced work. I'm very comfortable that if he says it will take X number of hours to do a job, that is what it took. One thing that is going to come up probably next annual are the shock discs. So I can start planning for that.

[DaV8or]

I think a lot of that has to do with the shops assessment of your mech skills. As for me and my shop we use Dewalt quarter inch drivers I can't imagine turning all those screws by hand.

Great to hear about your first annual perhaps it's a Christmas Miracle

 

YES. This is the bomb. Anybody with a one piece belly, needs to get this-

 

[Wakeup]

My first annual last year was a great experience. He let me take all the panels off and I already had the interior completely out. It was great to see everything and I felt like he had more time to go thru the books and work on stuff instead of paying him to take panels off. I even helped replace my brake pads. I hope I will have time every year to assist with my annual. Troy

[bonal]

YES. This is the bomb. Anybody with a one piece belly, needs to get this-

 

That's the one, got one for myself and I can get those cowlings of in nothing flat being a bit of a be prepared type I even take it with when we fly I also have a small bat charger and long extension cord in the plane that came in handy once when I was having Gill battery issues

[bonal]

I take vacation for my annual so I am getting paid and saving money at same time. My job is EXTREMELY stressful so doing this is almost therapeutic (except for the big ticket items that were needed) but at least I'm right there to see for myself when things show up bad.

[N201MKTurbo]

This is the weapon I choose to carry.

http://www.coastaltool.com/a/makita/df030dw_lg.htm

[jetdriven]

I use a drill or a screw gun to install the belly and wing panels, but I run the last 3-4 turns and torque them with a screwdriver. No clutch I have seen can accurately torque the screws without leaving a few loose and a few way over tightened. It must be the different charachteristics of locking nut plates.

[Mooneymite]

I use a drill or a screw gun to install the belly and wing panels, but I run the last 3-4 turns and torque them with a screwdriver. No clutch I have seen can accurately torque the screws without leaving a few loose and a few way over tightened. It must be the different charachteristics of locking nut plates.

 

I agree!  You really don't need a powerful driver...it will just ruin the heads of the screws more quickly.   I make judicious use of the clutch feature, take my time and try not to do any damage.  The power driver is great for speeding the process along, but I generally torque the screws by hand.

 

When I first got my plane, there were so many frozen screws.  I thought that was normal for an annual.  Aircraft Spruce sold me a lot of fasteners for that first annual.  Now I realize that most of those problem screws had not been loosed on previous annuals, (maybe never before!)  Now it is rare that I have a problem removing screws since I've been participating in the annuals.

[bonal]

The Dewalt has very good torque control so you can be more consistent when tightening you just have to know what setting to use. I was advised by LASAR to set at eleven

[Sabremech]

You guys are probably going to laugh, but when I was in the USAF, we were only allowed to use speed handles. I still prefer them over the power drills to this day. I have much more control and feel as to what's going on with the fasteners I'm trying to tighten or loosen.

David

[carusoam]

My first annual in 2000.

No Mooney Space...

No power drivers... No 'settable torque' drivers

No SS fasteners in my plane...

Tearing heads off screws getting them out or drilling out ones that failed were too common place...

My arms were sore from the work... Should have got a gym membership prior to Mooney ownership...

We've come a looooong way.

Best regards,

-a-

[N9405V]

Yeah, a speed handle is going to be my next purchase. This was a great experience and I learned a ton! Plus, now I feel better knowing more about the plane.