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Mechanic Time for Basic Annual: 1965 "E" Model


bucko

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What are people typically paying for a basic annual (Mechanic time)? 

I have a 1965 "E" Model, and am trying to get a handle on it.  I've had one shop tell me 24 hours of mechanic time for a regular annual, one said 20 to 24 hours, and the 3rd tell me 40 hours.   Obviously, if they find something, then that raises the time and cost.  I get that.  But how much time really needed for just a good annual inspection, swing the gear, check torques and tolerances, lubricate everything that needs attention, and change oil and filters.

I've had 3 different shops in the past 3 years.  All did OK to good work, but big cost differences.

Shop A:  Good and usually fast, but changed 3 years ago because they were not fast that time.  Actually had annual take 3 weeks longer than it should have taken because they messed up muffler rework order. So plane sat around for that time when everything else was done.  Very frustrating.  (Price: $)

Shop B:  Long turn around time, and several things needed to be redone.  (Oil leak on the way home.)    (Price $$)

Shop C:  Most $$$, but most work.  Time not quick, but work relatively good. Still had several things that needed to be redone, but they handled it.  (Most expensive, by far.)

 

To be clear: I am willing to pay whatever I need to for a good job, but I'm tired of having more problems after an annual than I did before I took it in.  Read "Mechanics Manifesto" and agree with much that author says.

 

Thanks,

Bucko

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I would be thrilled if I finished my own airplane's annual in 40hrs one year. 

I would say under 40 hrs for the entire process would be acceptable in a shop environment. 

Its a substantial amount of work if everything is correctly opened up, serviced, inspected, and closed. 

-Matt

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My shop's fixed rate annual is based on 23 hours @ $70. (M20C-M20J) and that's all the owner is charged for unless there are repairs, upgrades to be made per the owners instructions. The shop would not survive if all they did was 100 hour/annual inspections. But doing thorough annuals at a fair price creates satisfied customers and satisfied customers are sticky.

AGL Aviation Services. KMRN

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20 hours is a fair ballpark. I always do owner assisted, just so I could learn how everything is put together and what shape it's all in. Every year I do a little more myself. The kast two have been fi ished in 3-day weekends, not counting me removing cowl, spinner, panels, etc., beforehand.

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Based on what two local Mooney specialists charge, I would guess between 20 and 25 hours.  Of course if the shop doesn't do a lot of work on Mooneys, it will probably take them longer.  Further, they may not have the experience to know where trouble spots are and they may miss a few things that will cost you money in the future.

 

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Not really much mechanic time required at all. There is IA time required to inspect which that may be what you are referring to. Otherwise inspection panels, lubrication, wheel bearings, etc can all be done by the owner. The bigger shops just use kids at min wage to do these tasks, not licensed mechanics for such trivial tasks.

 

-Robert

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I'll spend 6 to 8 hours opening up the plane for inspection and another 4 to 6 hours cleaning an lubricating everything.  It will take me 8 to 10 hours to close everything up.

IA will spend several hours inspecting the plane and several hours with the paperwork.  Hangar fairies do not officially exist and do not record their time so I do know how much time they spend working on the plane. :ph34r:

The majority of the time spent on an annual is grunt work that he owner can do legally.:D  If your IA is on the same field and they do not allow owners to work in their shop you can do all of this and tow the plane to the IA for inspection and fixing any squawks that they need fixing.  They may not cut you that much of a deal for opening and closing the plane but then you know what was done and how it was done.  Generally most shops will have fixed rate for doing an inspection and then fixing squawks are above that.  A new to the shop plane will get a higher first year rate than repeat since there is more time required for AD research, getting to know the plane and the like.

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7 hours ago, RobertGary1 said:

Not really much mechanic time required at all. There is IA time required to inspect which that may be what you are referring to. Otherwise inspection panels, lubrication, wheel bearings, etc can all be done by the owner. The bigger shops just use kids at min wage to do these tasks, not licensed mechanics for such trivial tasks.

 

-Robert

The kids or the owner doing it still need supervision of someone who knows whats going on.

Clarence

 

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