Duration of Annual

[Fly Boomer]

1 hour ago, aviatoreb said:

RAAM.

R&R at Weber.

RAM should be as good as it gets.  Is there anything other than the prop governor adjustment to get from 310 down to 305 horsepower?  The engine data plate says 310, but the STC says 305.  

[McMooney]

1 week, 2 weeks if i help 8)

of course that's just the annual and associated task,  anything extra takes more time

[201Mooniac]

My annuals have mostly gone from 2 weeks for the first 25 years to 3-4 weeks in the last 4 years.  I almost always am waiting for a part as even simple parts seem to take forever.  My MSC doesn't stock as much as they used to so the delay adds to the time.  I usually get the inspection report and price estimate in about a week after they start.  I have an agreement with the shop that for airworthiness issues they can order parts immediately upon finding them unless it is a very expensive part so that saves a little time.

[icurnmedic]

^{13 days at Asheboro NC for me. He did what I consider a very good job.} 

[DCarlton]

Anything less than a month now is a fantasy and I do everything possible to have parts in hand before the work starts.  

[Fly Boomer]

7 hours ago, McMooney said:

1 week, 2 weeks if i help 8)

One month is normal, but my guy says two months if I watch, and three if I help.

[Flyler]

This post makes me feel a lot better as I wait on my recently purchased plane to come out of annual.  I know it's just the excitement that makes me feel like it's been a decade of waiting 

I have also been thinking lately how as the fleet ages, a lot of these maintenance items are creeping into restoration territory. God bless the maintainers!

[Pinecone]

My recent annual was 1 month.  But I dropped it off about 4 days before they planned on getting to it.  And I had an alternator that needed to be removed (not trivial on 252) and shipped to/from and overhauled.  That took a couple of weeks due to shipping issues.

And, the shop was honest, they had a couple of customers AOG and dealt with those.  And I would expect the same service if I were AOG.

As to deferring maintenance, sometimes it makes sense.  I could have done my alternator a month prior, but it would have taken the same 2 weeks.  And require the same about of additional work.  And then the annual would take the same amount of time.

Another data point, the Mooney factory recommended 100 hour/annual takes a minimum of 30 - 34 hours by itself, I have been told.

[Nico1]

Last one was 1 week. Could have been 5 days but delayed for part. Easy and quick annual (in part thanks to sourcing parts over the course of the year that were flagged as eventually needing replacement - bearings etc.)

[skykrawler]

I'm retired now and spend some of my time helping a local IA on annuals.  Several of the airplanes are Mooneys, two are TLS.  It can be a real shit show.

Most owners are not hands on with their own airplane between annuals.  Some don't even clean the windshield.

A short list of things owners should do before sending their airplane for annual (from my viewpoint):

• Clean the lead and oil off the belly and wash the airplane exterior including the wheels, brakes, and wheel wells.
• Clean all the bullshit out of your airplane interior. Empty bottles, empty and full oil bottles, snack wrappers, crumbs,  old flight notes.  Don't leave your headsets in there. Remove anything in the way of removing the seats.
• Make sure your airplane has all the placards listed in the POH - they're required.  No unmarked switches.
• Make sure your POH is complete and not falling apart, the weight and balance document is there, and any additional required accessory operation manuals (GPS, autopilot, engine monitor).  
• Keep you AC records organized including the current list of complied with ADs and reoccurring ADs.  Keep the continued airworthiness documents in a binder or folder - these are part of the aircraft maintenance manual.

Generally, its a good idea to keep an inventory of the date and hours for the last replacement certain items:

Magnetos, sparkplugs, brakes, battery, tires, avionics filter.  Add turbocharger and tailpipe clamps for those turbo models.

If you defer having things fixed, by all means expect the annual to take longer if you want them fixed then.

Nobody wants to do an annual on junky, poorly cared for airplanes.  They are viewed as a risk by the IA's.

[hypertech]

2-3 days for the annual and sometimes minor findings.  I have not been grounded with a significant finding.  I bring parts with me for anything expected to be due (brakes, magnetos, etc).  Sometimes we find things that are wearing and will order parts and fix them in the following weeks.  I don't consider that part of the annual.  I pay a flat rate for the annual itself and hang around to ask questions and be a minor help.  Typically 2-3 mechanics work on it all at the same time.  In and out type operation then they do the next one.

[jetdriven]

On 6/30/2025 at 6:38 AM, Fly Boomer said:

One month is normal, but my guy says two months if I watch, and three if I help.

we do a lot of them and a week is normal.   it often runs over for parts and then its two weeks.  2 months is when it need an engine. 

[NewMoon]

On 6/29/2025 at 10:36 AM, Schllc said:

If this change were to actually occur, it would have an impact on the behavior and service of many shops. I have found a provider I am comfortable with. They are honest, generally on time, and above all, the communication is excellent. 
I pay for this, but I am happy to because there is nothing worse than having your plane down. 

I second the quality, integrity and knowledge of your provider. This is my 16th plane and trust me I have been all over this country getting annuals and when you find a shop that you can trust, stick with them, and yes, bring pizza..