midcap
Pattern Altitude
that's somthing that you can't really put a dollar sign on.
First annual
- Thread starter Timbeck2
- Start date
that's somthing that you can't really put a dollar sign on.
problematique
Pre-takeoff checklist
Made a deal with the owner of a plane that I've flown in a club for the past 2 years. 2000 Cessna 172. Basically, I'm splitting the annual and repairs that go along with it. The annual was conducted by my mechanic and also doubled as a pre-buy inspection. We were not impressed with the results. There were items that should have been addressed at the last annual at best. Here are a few:
- Mags have never been inspected. Not even at 500 hour intervals. We took a look at the caps and they were BOTH in very poor condition. All contacts horribly scarred and black. (That explains the slight RPM loss at full throttle)
- Spark plugs exorbitantly outside of spec. All of them. Far more than one year worth of use.
- Aileron rigging cable 40lbs.!! Outside of spec. (Luckily no pulley damage due to the tight cable)
- brake disks down to .15, minimum limit should be .2. (Could be argued they were at specs at the last annual...buuuut...)
Anyway looking like a $4000 annual total after some odds and ends.
So sure, a new mechanic will find different problems. But sometimes they find blatantly obvious issues.
.02
- Mags have never been inspected. Not even at 500 hour intervals. We took a look at the caps and they were BOTH in very poor condition. All contacts horribly scarred and black. (That explains the slight RPM loss at full throttle)
- Spark plugs exorbitantly outside of spec. All of them. Far more than one year worth of use.
- Aileron rigging cable 40lbs.!! Outside of spec. (Luckily no pulley damage due to the tight cable)
- brake disks down to .15, minimum limit should be .2. (Could be argued they were at specs at the last annual...buuuut...)
Anyway looking like a $4000 annual total after some odds and ends.
So sure, a new mechanic will find different problems. But sometimes they find blatantly obvious issues.
.02
midcap
Pattern Altitude
So that's 8k total for the annual?
problematique
Pre-takeoff checklist
$4,000 total.
but we're still trying to chase down 50 more RPM. Going to get the fuel delivery system bench tested and adjusted. (I can't recall the technical term but he thinks the fuel is too rich at full throttle)
but we're still trying to chase down 50 more RPM. Going to get the fuel delivery system bench tested and adjusted. (I can't recall the technical term but he thinks the fuel is too rich at full throttle)
Timbeck2
Final Approach
Your description reads like mine, especially the magnetos which were $1500 - $1600 to overhaul. How are the fuel hoses?
problematique
Pre-takeoff checklist
Yeah, those mags are a killer. Fuel hoses in good shape.
Hopefully the next annual yields favorable results.
Hopefully the next annual yields favorable results.
Timbeck2
Final Approach
Exactly what I'm saying.
Mtns2Skies
Final Approach
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Mtns2Skies
Regarding justification of ownership: Keep in mind not all types of aircraft are readily rentable. If your goal is off airport/backcountry, tailwheel aircraft aren't readily rentable, and if you wanted to take a 172 there are often restrictions that the flight school has against doing so.
Also - if you want something with 6 seats they can be very rare to find to rent, or if you just want something unique, that can be cause to own as well.
When you own, you have 100% say in what upgrades go into the aircraft, where it goes, when things change. I'm willing to pay a LOT of money in order to have that flexibility.
Also - if you want something with 6 seats they can be very rare to find to rent, or if you just want something unique, that can be cause to own as well.
When you own, you have 100% say in what upgrades go into the aircraft, where it goes, when things change. I'm willing to pay a LOT of money in order to have that flexibility.
midcap
Pattern Altitude
that's not horrible, considering the mag's shape.
That's the main reason I am sticking with a carbed 172 as my first plane when I am able to buy one.
Stephanie B
Pre-takeoff checklist
+1. When I lived back east, there was no way that I could take a rental 172 to visit my parents (grass strip nearby), or into Katama on the Vineyard.
problematique
Pre-takeoff checklist
True, I didn't really complain too much. Just thought something like the mags should have been checked far more often. I'm getting quite a break on labor since I know the mechanic.
I will say I'm still partial to fuel injection. I believe this is a easy issue to chase down. I predict about a $400 bill when it's said and done. I'll get it looked at next week.
midcap
Pattern Altitude
that's good that you know an A&P. I may have to make friends with one before I buy a plane.
bluerooster
Pattern Altitude
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shorty
$140/hr!? that's dirt cheap. The rentals avialable for long XC overnighters in these parts go for ~$200/hr.
MooneyDriver78
En-Route
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Tom
$140 gets you a 172 with GPS, but no autopilot, the key is they charge 3 hrs/day, minimum. They deduct whatever you spent on fuel, so it doesn't help to look for cheap fuel.