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Low cylinder compression - again, part III



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 1st 03, 10:42 PM
Dan Luke
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Default Low cylinder compression - again, part III

"Michael" wrote:
Believe me, I know how you feel. I've just passed (hopefully) a bad
patch of airplane ownership. One of those times when I'm sure the
airplane hates me.


That's what's really bothering me. Nowadays, flying the airplane fills me
with feelings of mistrust and anxiety. The governor problem went away by
magic - which of course means it will be back. I can't remember what it was
like to look forward to flying with pleasure. I suppose this feeling will
pass, but I think my compressions will have to stay strong for a year before
it does.

[snip aviation plagues of Egypt - ugh]

Honestly, I've had more problems in the last two months than I have in
the previous two years. That's just how it goes sometimes.
Now the really disturbing thought - that $2500 this whole mess cost me
isn't really out of line with my normal maintenance expenses. I
budget about $6K/year (including annual) and this year I haven't been
flying as much so unless something else goes badly wrong, I'll be
under budget.


What happened to selling the bird? Changed your mind?
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM


  #2  
Old July 2nd 03, 08:06 PM
Dan Luke
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"Michael" wrote:

Yeah, that's about the size of it. Unfortunately, you seem unwilling
or unable to do your own maintenance. That makes it harder.


I do some. Mechanical work is a real struggle for me because I have limited
use of my right hand. Most of my work is done by a couple of friends who are
A&P's. I help as much as they'll let me. In the case of the governor, I
decided not pull it and send it away until it does it again.

Quite frankly, I can't
remember the last time I dropped my plane off at the shop (any shop)
to have something done and then didn't have to fix something the
mechanic screwed up.


Especially avionics work. Bulls in a china shop ain't in it with avionics
techs.

Normally,
there are maybe 6 column inches of PA-30's in TAP. This issue, there
are two full columns and then some. Nobody is buying.

The PA-30 is the favored twin engine mount of the airline captain.
Given what's happening in the airlines now, the market for those may
never recover.


I'm scared to even have my airplane appraised - why seek depressing news?
This too shall pass, though.
I've just about decided that I'm going to sell this airplane sometime in the
next couple of years. Van's new 4-place model looks very interesting and
I've got other RV builders around here to help.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM


  #3  
Old July 9th 03, 02:33 PM
Dan Luke
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"Michael" wrote:
Here's reality. There's nothing special about being an avionics tech
- it's just another flavor of electronic technician. An avionics shop
charges an average of $60/hr where I am.


Same here, and the local aircraft owners bitch mightily about it. They don't
know that my business charges $75/hr. for call-out tech labor, plus
50c/mile. My big-corporation competitors charge around $100/hr. plus
mileage.

That means the cost of the
labor is $30/hr - it always seems to work out to 50%. For a salaried
position with insurance, 401K, vacation, etc - we're looking at maybe
$35K, tops.


The same thing's true for aircraft mechanics. HVAC mech's that work for our
commercial air conditioning service business earn more, and good ones are
damned hard to find.

Amazing how we're all looking at homebuilts. Says a lot.


Yes, the reasons are pretty obvious. The certified aircraft world is
institutionally hostile - there's every incentive for someone who wants to
own an aircraft to stay out of it.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM


 




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