Dropped her off for annual

[201er]

Just dropped my 201 off for my first annual since the one I had at prebuy. How do you guys cope with these? What about with the airplane down time? Without my plane I suddenly don't know what to do with myself. I feel like an addict in withdrawl already.

[jetdriven]

Get involved with your annual. Remember, Inspect, negotiate, repair.

[bnicolette]

Quote: jetdriven

Get involved with your annual. Remember, Inspect, negotiate, repair.

[TonyPynes]

I dropped mine off for its first annual under my watch this week too and had planned on participating but work has called me to travel the next several days. Figures. I do hope to get back in time to at least see her opened up. 

My list of to dos after I get the cost of the annual out of the way:

Shoulder harness for seat belts

Maybe removing the step I don't need and shorter folks seem to avoid.

Update 430 database in preparation for IR training this month

Maybe a JPi engine monitor with fuel flow

 

[Jeff_S]

Quote: 201er

Just dropped my 201 off for my first annual since the one I had at prebuy. How do you guys cope with these? What about with the airplane down time? Without my plane I suddenly don't know what to do with myself. I feel like an addict in withdrawl already.

[jetdriven]

You can always sign up for beechtalk      Surprising number of new Mooney folks there lately.

[1970m20e]

I got you all beat.  Dropped it of on 30 December 2011.  Still in the shop.  It keeps getting "bumped" back for other planes with urgent repairs.  Engines, skydive planes, turbo props, other customers.  Not liking this at all.  Oh and I paid in advance.  Nice.  I cannot wait to see the date when the annual is signed off.  It will be a June 2012 date I'm sure.  That's 6 months and not because anything major happened.

[TonyPynes]

Quote: 1970m20e

I got you all beat.  Dropped it of on 30 December 2011.  Still in the shop.  It keeps getting "bumped" back for other planes with urgent repairs.  Engines, skydive planes, turbo props, other customers.  Not liking this at all.  Oh and I paid in advance.  Nice.  I cannot wait to see the date when the annual is signed off.  It will be a June 2012 date I'm sure.  That's 6 months and not because anything major happened.

[M016576]

Quote: 1970m20e

I got you all beat.  Dropped it of on 30 December 2011.  Still in the shop.  It keeps getting "bumped" back for other planes with urgent repairs.  Engines, skydive planes, turbo props, other customers.  Not liking this at all.  Oh and I paid in advance.  Nice.  I cannot wait to see the date when the annual is signed off.  It will be a June 2012 date I'm sure.  That's 6 months and not because anything major happened.

[bnicolette]

Quote: 1970m20e

I got you all beat.  Dropped it of on 30 December 2011.  Still in the shop.  It keeps getting "bumped" back for other planes with urgent repairs.  Engines, skydive planes, turbo props, other customers.  Not liking this at all.  Oh and I paid in advance.  Nice.  I cannot wait to see the date when the annual is signed off.  It will be a June 2012 date I'm sure.  That's 6 months and not because anything major happened.

[Cris]

Quote: jetdriven

Get involved with your annual. Remember, Inspect, negotiate, repair.

[Cris]

Quote: jetdriven

Get involved with your annual. Remember, Inspect, negotiate, repair.

That really is the best way to handle an annual. Not everyone caan afford the time or has the reqisite mechanical skill but even just dropping by and looking at the A/C when ithe inspection panaels are open is worthwhile to gain some insight. Over the years I've worked my way "up" to owner assisted annuals and have gotten to know the Mooney pretty well. As a result I will be attending Jerry's MAPA maintenance clinic next week end.

[PTK]

Quote: 1970m20e

I got you all beat.  Dropped it of on 30 December 2011.  Still in the shop.  It keeps getting "bumped" back for other planes with urgent repairs.  Engines, skydive planes, turbo props, other customers.  Not liking this at all.  Oh and I paid in advance.  Nice.  I cannot wait to see the date when the annual is signed off.  It will be a June 2012 date I'm sure.  That's 6 months and not because anything major happened.

[jetdriven]

be sure to post the name of this shop to save your MS brothers from the same shoddy treatment.

 

[John Pleisse]

I was so busy, I couldn't get mine to annual this year and hired a local yokal...it turned out well...very confident in his work. It was done in 5 days....he worked into the eves......parts were orded ahead of time.

In the past,  MSC's have done the work...when their shops are busy, worst case scenarios develop. You ferry it to them, get a ride back....they don't wheel it in for a week....it sits outside with birds sh*^$ting on it.......then they bring it in and crack it open...about three days later, they squawk a hard to find part.....they work on it while wating for parts....then another squawk on a hard to find part comes up..... The worst I have ever had was a month at a big shop. To a great extent, their talent pool and expertise is still worth it...hands down.

Imho...anything past three weeks at a big, busy shop is inexcusable. Smaller shops, one week....to 12 days if parts are needed. Freelancer at your hangar......4 days.

 

[sleepingsquirrel]

It doesn't help the delay, but I've written several letters as the mechanic to insurance companies stating the aircraft was down for maintenace for X months (never waiting on me, usually owner assisted and delayed work, or lack of funds for major issues) and the insurance on most occasions gave back credit for liability. Might get you a few bucks back, 6 months is rediculous for an annual !

Quote: 1970m20e

I got you all beat.  Dropped it of on 30 December 2011.  Still in the shop.  It keeps getting "bumped" back for other planes with urgent repairs.  Engines, skydive planes, turbo props, other customers.  Not liking this at all.  Oh and I paid in advance.  Nice.  I cannot wait to see the date when the annual is signed off.  It will be a June 2012 date I'm sure.  That's 6 months and not because anything major happened.

[Lionudakis]

OK, the above post (or below, my posts on the forum go from the bottom up half the time??) was mine. 

[OR75]

Quote: 1970m20e

I got you all beat.  Dropped it of on 30 December 2011.  Still in the shop.  It keeps getting "bumped" back for other planes with urgent repairs.  Engines, skydive planes, turbo props, other customers.  Not liking this at all.  Oh and I paid in advance.  Nice.  I cannot wait to see the date when the annual is signed off.  It will be a June 2012 date I'm sure.  That's 6 months and not because anything major happened.

[danb35]

Quote: OR75

 I wonder what the FAA would think of that Repair Station

[richardheitzman]

I would be in that shop everyday until the annual is finished. Who the hell do they think they are? I finish the "inspection" part of an annual inspection in a couple days by myself including the gear swing / adjust, landing gear lube, flight control lube and engine oil change spark plug clean / gap / compression check and fuel injector cleaning. Busy shops get in the annuals in / out FIRST as this is the bread and butter of revenue and keeps the hanger flowing.

Whoever you took that aircraft to, you should name and shame. That is pathetic

 

[201er]

Compressions came back 72,75,75,76! =)

[1964-M20E]

By getting involved I genlty push the mechanic to pay attention to my airplane.  I know I'm second fiddle to some other planes and that is accepted but by being thate I ensure I do not get too far to the rear of the line.  Got mine done in 3 weeks this year.

[FlyDave]

Wow!! Reading this thread makes me feel pretty lucky!!

Neither of the 2 annuals on my Mooney (since March, 2010) have taken longer than 2 days in my mechanic's shop.

I take all the inspection panels off the plane, we tow it over to his shop (on my home field) and I help with just about everything on the annual. Then we tow it back to my hangar and I re-install all the inspection plates, etc. I take 2 days off from work to do this.

Granted, we haven't found anything major on either of the annuals, so that's been a plus (or a minus on the AMU side ).

Man, I feel for you guys....6 months - I would have someone's head!

[Immelman]

Quote: 201er

Just dropped my 201 off for my first annual since the one I had at prebuy. How do you guys cope with these? What about with the airplane down time? Without my plane I suddenly don't know what to do with myself. I feel like an addict in withdrawl already.

[DrBill]

WOW, your stories just confirmed how lucky I was.  3 months ago my local mechanic sent an email indicating he was moving to TN (from NC) to go home and work the family farm (parents too old to handle it).  I immediately sked my annual a month early so he would do it.   He didi it 5/13-18, I didi test fly 5/18 and flew to PA on 5/19 for bladders.  Return on 5/26.

Annual cost .. his flat rate for retracts  $1200 less $100 discount for frequent customer.

Obviously nothing found and he checked all the ADs (did the tail AD previous month).  I'm real sorry to lose him and will be testing out the replacement when he comes  next week.

I'll miss him. I really liked the way the thought.. find the problem first, then replace parts.  Most new people shotgun parts to fix a problem.  He and I got along well. 

Bill