Maintenance… 350 - 500hrs This Year.

[V1VRV2]

I plan on flying my Ovation approx 350-500 hrs this year. I just had my annual done last month. Would it be prudent to do 100hr inspections? I realize the plane will be flown 3-5 times more than the average plane would normally see between annuals. I understand a 100hr is not required by regulation but thought it would be a good idea. Is it overkill?

[Mooney_Allegro]

With that amount of flying, for piece of mind and to prevent unexpected breakdowns, I'd want a mechanic to go over the plane at regular intervals.  I'd recommend having a 100 hour.   Personally I don't think it's overkill as long as routine maintenance is not a cost issue for you.  That's a lot of flying.  You're engine will NOT be subject to corrosion.   

[PT20J]

Congratulations on getting to fly a lot!

Mooney has the same checklist for annual and 100 hr inspections, so if you do 100 hr inspections you will pay for the equivalent of 3-5 additional annual inspections. 

If it were me, I would look over the checklist and pick a subset of items that makes sense for the circumstances. Oil changes, plug rotation and inspecting the engine compartment — definitely. Jack it up and retract the gear — perhaps once a year is enough. 

Skip

 

[JWJR]

First I would talk over your forecast for hours to be flown and the time table with your mechanic and get his ideas on what should be done and when, as he is familiar with your plane and it’s current mechanical condition.There might be a recurring AD that is coming due in a certain amount of hours that could interrupt your travel plans.Best to know now.

My humble opinion is that a full annual/100 hour is overkill. Change the oil at your regular intervals and do a thorough preflight every time ( tires, - brakes -fluid leaks) watch your engine gauges/monitor and bring any abnormalities to your mechanics attention right away. During the oil change have the plugs pulled, gear greased , battery tested , and a good look over for things loose or rubbing is a good idea,however a full pull out the seats and all access panels annual is excessive in my humble opinion. Again explain your intentions to your shop/mechanic and see what he thinks is best. Read your log books to learn as much as you can mechanically about your plane so your informed when you discuss maintenance with those maintaining your plane.
Enjoy all that flying!


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[ArtVandelay]

I would do my own oil changes and 100 hr spark plug maintenance and do inspections while you do it:
Borescope the cylinders.
Inspect for fuel leaks.
Are controls smooth and no binding.
Etc…

[Guest]

Concentrate your maintenance on the things that keep you in the air.  Engine oil and filter, cylinder compression, spark plugs and mags.  Airframe wise, fuel gascolator, battery water lever if you have Gill wet batteries, tire pressures and brake linings, grease the gear and inspect the doors.  If you loose a door you’re grounded.

Clarence

 

[glafaille]

My suggestion:

Put the engine on a 100 hr insp schedule and just do the airframe annual as normal.  You will need to review chapter 5 of the maint manual for all the other items that are suggested at regular intervals like lubrication intervals, mag service, hoses and the  like.

[exM20K]

7 hours ago, M20Doc said:

Concentrate your maintenance on the things that keep you in the air.  Engine oil and filter, cylinder compression, spark plugs and mags.  Airframe wise, fuel gascolator, battery water lever if you have Gill wet batteries, tire pressures and brake linings, grease the gear and inspect the doors.  If you loose a door you’re grounded.

Clarence

 

This.  I fly 2-300 hours per year.  My focus is on a good look at the exhaust system every 30ish hours with the oil change, exhaust valve borescope every third oil change, 500 hour magneto service, and airframe lube.  Other than that, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  Stat logs from LOP operation give a pretty comprehensive report on ignition system health.

I believe my plane is at it’s most uncertain reliability state on the first post annual flight.  Why inflict that on myself more frequently than required?

-dan

Edited October 31, 2021 by exM20K

[201er]

11 hours ago, Mooney_Allegro said:

 You're engine will NOT be subject to corrosion.   

Just subject to a new engine 

[V1VRV2]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will put a plan together for increased inspections and maintenance. 

[carusoam]

Sort of a balance between good maintenance without picking up the hazards of maintenance induced failures….

Do you get to contract with one shop?

Or are you in different parts of the world at different times of the year?

Holy cow that’s a lot of flying!

Go Mooney!

Best regards,

 -a-

[Parker_Woodruff]

On 10/30/2021 at 11:12 PM, V1VRV2 said:

I plan on flying my Ovation approx 350-500 hrs this year. I just had my annual done last month. Would it be prudent to do 100hr inspections? I realize the plane will be flown 3-5 times more than the average plane would normally see between annuals. I understand a 100hr is not required by regulation but thought it would be a good idea. Is it overkill?

You probably have some 100 hour ADs, so at least make sure to do those.  I'd certainly have the airplane looked at every 50 hours at oil change, but some things probably aren't necessary, like removing the entire interior to inspect for corrosion.