Technically he can't ground the plane, but practically speaking he does. The
airplane is unairworthy if there are discrepancies. If the owner is made aware
of the discrepancies, and then flies the airplane he can easily be violated for
flying an aircraft that he knows to be unairworthy. Unless you have an
independent A&P available where the aircraft is, you are captive to the IA once
he starts the inspection.


That's absolutely true, I guess my point was you are in no way
obligated to use the same person to return the aircraft to airworthy
status (many owners don't realize this). Obviously, if this evolves
into some kind of a ****ing match you are in a bad shape, I was
thinking more of a "prior arrangement" scenario where the IA makes a
quick $500 for an inspection he knows will be someone else's problem
later and therefore has no incentive of padding the discrepancies with
things that are really optional (I myself would still like a *list* of
such things anyway, so I can plug away at it as budget allows, not
advocating any deferred maintenance here, that's always false
economics, no doubt).

I know lot of new owners plunge into the first annual with sort of a
resigned attitude, I was trying to point out that as an *owner*, you
still have a lot of say in what gets done to *your* plane and by whom,
don't let the shop intimidate you. Its just business like any other
business, so the usual rules apply, both ways (i.e. don't expect a
free lunch, but you don't owe a living to anyone, either). Nothing
magical about aviation maintenance - many with monetary stake in the
game like to mystify the subject, just like real estate agents and
others who benefit from closed markets with numerous middle-men
involved. The regs are in fact written in a way that gives one many
options how to comply with the basic airworthiness requirements, the
question is how much you own time is worth, as always.

But I do agree that in practice, especially at small airports, the
"hostage" scenario is quite real, so basic references for the shop are
probably useful. If they come back negative, don't forget we are
talking highly mobile property here - no reason to have work done
locally if you plan ahead.