Owner-assisted annual--the way to go!

[danb35]

Just finished the annual on '48Q yesterday.  Like the last two, I helped out, and this year there were only a couple of very minor squawks.  My bill?  $525.  If you're reasonably handy with a wrench and a screwdriver, this is a good way to learn more about your plane and save some money.  That one-piece belly pan would sure be nice, though...

[TonyPynes]

In about 4 weeks I will have my owner assisted annual and my first annual in 9414v.  Can't wait!

[DaV8or]

Quote: AustinPynes

In about 4 weeks I will have my owner assisted annual and my first annual in 9414v.  Can't wait!

[TonyPynes]

Quote: DaV8or

Hmmm... Can't wait to do an annual huh? You must be new.  ;-)

[rob]

After five owner-assisted annuals, I took my 65C to a major shop that doesn't allow owner assistance. It cost a small fortune and was the best money I've ever spent on the plane. They were much more thorough than the three mechanics that have previously looked at my plane and found some issues that I simply can't believe were missed in earlier inspections. 

So while I understand and in some ways agree with owner-assisted annuals, my experience has been that you get what you pay for. And while I am mechanically inclined, I am not an airplane mechanic and don't know enough about airplanes or mooneys to trust myself to the inspections. YMMV. 

[Lionudakis]

Quote: rob

So while I understand and in some ways agree with owner-assisted annuals, my experience has been that you get what you pay for. And while I am mechanically inclined, I am not an airplane mechanic and don't know enough about airplanes or mooneys to trust myself to the inspections. YMMV. 

[DaV8or]

Quote: AustinPynes

I have been overhauling, building and repairing cars, Harley's and anything that burns petrol for over 50 years. Being able to be involved in the maintenance of the aircraft I fly in is a necessary and enjoyable interest. Not everyone's cup of tea.

[kris_adams]

Quote: DaV8or

Hmmm... Can't wait to do an annual huh? You must be new.  ;-)

[jetdriven]

Ours had a lot of little nagging things, such as plastic looking yellow, nose gear tracking, landing gear doors adustment, an extra antenna.  So we pulled out all the interior plastic, fixed and painted all that, inspected everything behind it,  landing gear actuator and nose gear came out to be freshened up, rerigged the entire gear, LASAR cowl fix kit, removed an ADF antenna, all new coax for COM 1 and 2, brakes, screws, insulation. All in all, a weeks work and 120 hours of labor.  Owner-assist rocks.  Now all 3 of us have seen every bit of the inside of the plane.  It probably cost us 4 grand but we got a lot for that money. Next year is going to be a lot easier.

[1964-M20E]

I'm going through my second owner assisted annual.  I do it for the $ saved and I do it for the knowledge I gain.  Unless you simply do not want to fool with it (at times I get this feeling) the owner legally can do a vast majority of the work done during an annual i.e. open the plane up, remove the interior, clean and gap plugs, change oil, etc. the only variable is what the mechanic will allow you to do.  Essentially I have done the inspection with the oversight and double checking by the A&P /IA of course I occasionally hear comments about the money not made since I do so much.  The mechanic is very busy and I'm looking to wrap it up Monday after 3 weeks a lot longer if I did not do most of the work.  A little aggravating but I'm working on it in the evenings a couple of hours each day.  I also get to do some upgrades that otherwise would cost much more such as Davatron electronic clock in the yolk, and EI FP5L.  I do try to take care of the mechanic when the bill comes and I have never complained or needed to raise any questions about the ammount charged.

[nels]

I've mentioned on the forum already that I bought a collapsed gear 66 E model. I had it ferried to Mn for repair and annual. I intend to be a part of all of it as I really want to know how it all ticks.  Like Tony, I've been working and restoring cars for close to 50 yrs and the plane intimidates me only because I've never been inside of its mechanicals. I want to get over that hurdle so I can be more aware of problems before they bite me and also don't want to be taken advantage of in a repair shop at a later date. The plane I bought had recently gone through a Mooney Service Center and emerged with an $18,000 repair bill so, yes, a lot of stuff can be missed by prior A&P's. That repair bill actually gave me the confidence to go ahead with the purchase.

[aviatoreb]

Quote: rob

After five owner-assisted annuals, I took my 65C to a major shop that doesn't allow owner assistance. It cost a small fortune and was the best money I've ever spent on the plane. They were much more thorough than the three mechanics that have previously looked at my plane and found some issues that I simply can't believe were missed in earlier inspections. 

So while I understand and in some ways agree with owner-assisted annuals, my experience has been that you get what you pay for. And while I am mechanically inclined, I am not an airplane mechanic and don't know enough about airplanes or mooneys to trust myself to the inspections. YMMV. 

[danb35]

Quote: rob

So while I understand and in some ways agree with owner-assisted annuals, my experience has been that you get what you pay for. And while I am mechanically inclined, I am not an airplane mechanic and don't know enough about airplanes or mooneys to trust myself to the inspections. YMMV. 

[jetdriven]

Quote: nels

I've mentioned on the forum already that I bought a collapsed gear 66 E model. I had it ferried to Mn for repair and annual. I intend to be a part of all of it as I really want to know how it all ticks.  Like Tony, I've been working and restoring cars for close to 50 yrs and the plane intimidates me only because I've never been inside of its mechanicals. I want to get over that hurdle so I can be more aware of problems before they bite me and also don't want to be taken advantage of in a repair shop at a later date. The plane I bought had recently gone through a Mooney Service Center and emerged with an $18,000 repair bill so, yes, a lot of stuff can be missed by prior A&P's. That repair bill actually gave me the confidence to go ahead with the purchase.

[rob]

Quote: aviatoreb

Hi Rob, What made you decide to bring it to the MSC after 5 years owner-assist?  Did something happen to make yoiu change your mind?

[fantom]

Rob......any hint on the shop, the field, the state.....anything?

I like the sign that reads: annuals $1,500; owner assisted annuals $2,000.

They can be a great learning experience, but can also disrupt and slow the process up, depending on the shop and people involved.

[Skywarrior]

Which MSCs do not allow owner-assisted annuals?

[DaV8or]

Quote: Skywarrior

Which MSCs do not allow owner-assisted annuals?

[fantom]

Quote: DaV8or

Top Gun in CA doesn't. LASAR does, but I don't think they knock anything off the price. It's just for your education and they still want what they want. We'll see, I'm probably going to use them this time around. Now, if they were just somewhere else than Clearlake! Really makes logistics a head ache and adds to the cost of my annual.

[fantom]

Quote: DaV8or

Top Gun in CA doesn't. LASAR does, but I don't think they knock anything off the price. It's just for your education and they still want what they want. We'll see, I'm probably going to use them this time around. Now, if they were just somewhere else than Clearlake! Really makes logistics a head ache and adds to the cost of my annual.

[1964-M20E]

I just finished my second owner assisted Annual or was it an IA assisted annual.  I’m not sure which.  I have not yet received the bill but I know it will be very reasonable.  Under the supervision and direction of the mechanic I did virtually everything except the actual inspections which the IA did and on some of those I assisted.   While doing the owner assisted I try to have as small of an impact on the shop as I can.  I use my own tools and supplies for the most part.  In fact there are several Mooney specific tools that I bring to the shop myself.

I feel my annual went faster than if I had not been involved.  The mechanic has a couple of primary birds that are the bread and butter of the operation and if these need work the little birds get pushed aside.  I am fine with this because I want to be involved in the inspection of the plane that way I know exactly what I have.  The other shops on the field will not let you participate.

 

Here is a list of things that the owner can legally do and if the mechanic is on the same field you can do before you bring it to him.  Even if he does not allow owner assisted annuals hopefully he will allow you do at least do some of the grunt work before you roll into his shop.

 

Remove all inspection covers.  There are probably a 1000 screws or close to it that have to be removed and reinstalled each year on the plane and the lower cowling is a real pain to remove.  This usually takes me about 4 to 5 hours to “open the plane up” and about 7 to 8 hours to reinstall.

Wipe the airframe to remove dirt

Clean and re-grease pivot points and guide blocks

Clean and re-grease the wheel bearings

Lubricate control cables

Replace any light bulbs that need replacing

Change the oil inspect filter

Remove the interior

 

 

Partial list of work done with the IA that I could not legally do myself

Remove and inspect shock disc collar and bolt

Check gear over center torques

 Replace fuel servo gasket

 

Partial list of work done by IA / Mechanic

General inspection of all pivot points

Compression check

Inspection of air frame

General condition inspection

Minor riveting and repairs to the baffles

Prop balance and verify tachometer accuracy (the prop was already well within parameters)

Complete the inspection form and paperwork for annual inspection

[HRM]

Quote: 1964-M20E

Partial list of work done with the IA that I could not legally do myself

Remove and inspect shock disc collar and bolt

Check gear over center torques

Replace fuel servo gasket

 

[jetdriven]

You should always refer to the service manual. I did a great many things to out plane this February, and all of it was IA supervised. Things like adjusting the MLG preload, removing an antenna and fabricating a flush patch plate, removed all the interior plastic, fuel injector screen and o-rings,  etc.  Dont guess, read up on the task, and then ask, then get with it.

[Wildhorsesracing]

I am in the process of an owner assisted annual.  I am doing it to learn more about my new (to me) airplane.  The shop where my plane is at is very busy and I know it would take 2-3 times as long if I didn't help out.  I love the fact that I am getting very intimate with all of the working details of my M20C.  I want to fully understand all of the subsystems of the plane in case I have any issues in the future. 

[Vancamjr]

We used to have our annual done by the big Mooney shops for big $$ but decided to give owner-assisted a try.  We focused on the grunt work and found that the shops had been taking shortcuts.  We found old dried grease that clearly hadn't been touched in years.  There's no getting around it, if you want something done right...do it yourself.  We do all the grunt work and have expanded the number and kind of things we do under the A&P/IA supervision.

Quality is up with the added bonus of lower $$ and a through knowledge of our M20C and it's systems.  Then our IA has lots of Mooney experience and LASAR and Top Gun are ust a short hop away for when we want their opinion or assistance.