Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Annual Time
Well, it's that time of year again - the time when airplane owners cringe in fear and prepare to burn the checkbook. Yellowbird is in for her annual checkup. I dropped her off last night at the shop at Turners Falls, and since I'll be away for a few weeks, my mechanic will have plenty of time to examine her. While she's in, I'll have a few minor squawks fixed, such as a couple of loose rivets in the cowling, and a worn carburetor intake duct. It's a shorter list than last year, so I'm hoping for the best. After getting a new muffler and attitude indicator, and with a new transponder in the works, she's been an expensive girl this year. I hope she appreciates the care she receives.
Turners Falls is a quiet little one-strip airport on the Connecticut River, about 30 miles north of Westfield, where Yellowbird lives. Her mechanic was recommend by Faithful Instructor George, who has his Skyhawk and Citabria worked on by the same shop.
Pioneer Aviation is a pleasantly rustic country FBO. Cub in the hangar and another taildragger in the pattern made for an idyllic scene on a quiet summer evening.
The maintenance hangar is a bit more modern. This is my girl about to go under the knife prior to last year's annual.We'll both be away for a few weeks, so blogging will be scarce. In the interim, here are a couple of my favorite photos from last year.
At 6,500 ft, above a hazy summer sky, we enjoyed this sunset coming back from our first major cross country adventure. From Westfield to Portsmouth, then to South Albany, and finally Cooperstown. Our return took us to Portsmouth again to drop off a friend, and then back home.
On a smooth autumn evening, we went up for our night currency landings. Taking photos from a moving airplane at night is tricky at best. Most of my attempts didn't turn out. This one did, but the VASI shows me a bit low on the glide slope.
great site!! i will keep checking in.
c
Hope you annual is cheaper than mine - $3963 and change this year (1958 Cessna 172 "straight tail"). Had a bunch (10, 12?) little tiny stress cracks scattered through the flaps, elevators, over MANY years of flight (all before I owned her). Mechanic said he wouldn't sign off on the annual if I didn't have him do the repairs.
Hope next year is cheaper!!!
Mike N8818B
www.chuckpierce.com/mike/blog
Mike,
Just to let you know your rights as an owner, an I.A. can not refuse to sign off an annual inspection once done. He may find it "Not Airworthy" and provide you a list of the discrepancies to have fixed. Once those are fixed by an A&P the A&P can stamp it "each problem" Airworthy. Once all write ups are complied with the aircraft is airworthy.
Ref FAR 43.11 (a)5
--"I certify that this aircraft has been inspected in accordance with (insert type) inspection and a list of discrepancies and unairworthy items dated (date) has been provided for the aircraft owner or operator."--
This allows you to find a second opinion which can be a good thing if you feel your being gouged. You can get Ferry Permits from the FSDO to relocate to a place where the work can be performed as well.