Another expensive annual this year

Our first annual last year increased our plane ownership cost by 50%
(engine overhaul, prop governor overhaul + few other big ticket
replacement parts + labor). When Rick and I tallied up all the things
we want our AP to do this year, it looked like we have to reach deep
into our pockets again.

Here is the list

1. Replace the dry vacuum pump with an Airwolf wet pump + Air/oil
separator(~$2500 not including labor - our AP estimated 1-2 days!). Our
original plan was to get a new dry pump (the existing one has been
spewing some carbon) + Precise Flight backup pump. Since we intend to
get instrument rating and may attempt IFR traveling (probably mostly
soft IFR), we think that the wet vacuum option would be a wiser choice
and may even out the initial cost in the long run.

2. Replace all side windows and the back window. The windshield seems
to be in good shape although our AP thinks that we will not like it as
much once the other windows are replaced! Of course, we will also want
to use the opportunity to add a photo window. This will most likely
cost at least $1K not including labor (luckily our AP allows
owner-assisted manual).

3. Replace the passenger seatbelt with shoulder harness/seatbelt. We
replaced the pilot/copilot belts last year. The cost will be reasonable
($250 or something) but probably will take a bit of labor (will try to
this ourselves again).

4. Install a cigarette lighter with multiple plugs. Probably will not
cost much but this is something we must ask our AP to do.

5. Replace the two wingtips and one stabilator tip: ~ $1K in part. Not
sure about labor. We can either do this now during the annual or let
the paint shop do it. The same goes with the nose bowls. Our AP patched
them up a bit last year but more extensive restoration will be required
for the new paint job. One of the paint shops gave an estimate of $1K
for the nose bowl job.

6. Miscellaneous stuffs: Attempt to reinstall the door bracket. Our AP
tried it once but a previous repair attempt left some rivets in the
wrong place so he had to pop the new bracket out.
Pitot/Static/Transponder check: just hope that we don't have to replace
anything else! Not sure of the cost. Last summer, Rick got the plane
weighed (after we replaced some avionics and added thermal/sound
insulation) and had the prop rebalanced. I was surprised to learn that
it cost over $500 to weigh the plane but less than $200 for prop
balancing. Replace the throttle control (again, just hope that it would
be a minor job with minimum cost). Our annual is scheduled for Feb 15.
I'm pretty sure we will think of few more items by then.

The list above and the paint job (current estimates ranging from
$10-$12K) will pretty much preclude us from taking any expensive
vacations this year. There go most of our dive trips this year. Just
hope that my 92 Honda Accord with over 230K miles will last few more
years. A Garmin 430 is most likely on the list for next year. I am
trying to convince Rick that with two pilots in the family, we don't
need 'no stinking autopilot' ;-). Not sure whether this argument will
hold when we face turbulent in IMC after getting our instrument
tickets. Speaking of IFR training, I had thought of doing either a West
Coast Adventures Trip with Field Morey or an East Coast
IFR Trip with Dough Stewart.

http://www.ifrwest.com/
http://www.dsflight.com/about.html

No doubt that either one will be a tremendous learning experience and
we will be much better pilots (and hopefully with instrument ratings)
but those trips ain't cheap either.
Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket ;-)

Hai Longworth
N30703

wrote in message
oups.com...

years. A Garmin 430 is most likely on the list for next year. I am
trying to convince Rick that with two pilots in the family, we don't
need 'no stinking autopilot' ;-). Not sure whether this argument will
hold when we face turbulent in IMC after getting our instrument
tickets.

Unfortunately your typical GA autopilot will be the first thing to quit in
turbulence. Still the single best IFR accessory you can have though.

-cwk.

In article . net,
"Colin W Kingsbury" wrote:

wrote in message
oups.com...

years. A Garmin 430 is most likely on the list for next year. I am
trying to convince Rick that with two pilots in the family, we don't
need 'no stinking autopilot' ;-). Not sure whether this argument will
hold when we face turbulent in IMC after getting our instrument
tickets.

Unfortunately your typical GA autopilot will be the first thing to quit in
turbulence. Still the single best IFR accessory you can have though.

I agree. Even a simple one which can do nothing more than hold heading
is extremely useful. Most planes will do a pretty good job of holding
altitude on their own (if you get the trim set right), but will slowly
turn one way or the other if you let go of the controls for more than a
few seconds.

Having something that can hold heading means you can re-fold a chart,
dig out an approach plate. or copy down a clearance without wandering
all over the sky. It also means you can think about big-picture stuff
like evaluating a decaying weather situation or estimate the effect of a
re-route on your fuel state.

it cost over $500 to weigh the plane

$500 to weigh your plane? Yikes!

You need to cultivate a relationship with your local EAA chapter.

Those guys usually have scales, which they will usually part with for a few
hours in exchange for a reasonable "fee".

Like a case of good beer, or a fine bottle of Scotch... ;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:bRGGd.10570$IV5.417@attbi_s54...
it cost over $500 to weigh the plane

$500 to weigh your plane? Yikes!

You need to cultivate a relationship with your local EAA chapter.

Those guys usually have scales, which they will usually part with for a
few hours in exchange for a reasonable "fee".

Like a case of good beer, or a fine bottle of Scotch... ;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"


Hi Jay...
Our chapter BOUGHT NEW DIGITAL SCALES last year
and spent 1200 bucks or so on them. 4 pad unit for
race cars, nice stuff. I can't believe the prices folks get to do this.

Scott.

Hi Jay...
Our chapter BOUGHT NEW DIGITAL SCALES last year
and spent 1200 bucks or so on them. 4 pad unit for
race cars, nice stuff. I can't believe the prices folks get to do this.

Scott.


Yikes! $500 is too much. I'd charge $150-$200 plus travel.

And for the EAA guys and Scott above.......
..... well thats great that they BOUGHT NEW DIGITAL SCALES.
I imagine those are the little wheel weighers about 12 inches square and
have a capacity of maybe 1000-1500 pounds. Thats ok for light homebuilts
and ultralights, C152 and Pa140 and such. Fine for you Saturday morning
hobbiests.

But if you consider providing a professional weighing service, you need a
capacity up to 30,000 lbs for each Pad and/or each jackpoint to be capable
of weighing most aircraft used in business.

Shop around for four 30K lb pads and let us know the deals you find.

You also need an annual certified calibration which will cost $300-$400.
Also you might want the capability to generate a nice looking weighing
report on site, and the way I do that is with a laptop and portable printer.
A hand scribbled sheet doesn't look good in a G-IV manual.
There are some other extras that are handy to have, like a set of fuel
hydormeters to measure specific gravity of onboard fuel.
Nitrogen setup to re-adjust gear struts after leveling....... so on.

Btw, someday try rolling a big tire aircraft like a T-6 or T28 up on those
NEW DIGITAL SCALES.

I can certainly believe the prices some folks get to do this!

Kent Felkins
Tulsa Oklahoma

Hey Kent, I just painted my prop and may need to come up to see you.
I'll let you know.

BTW, Kent is one of the best prop balance guys in this neck of the
woods. He's also a paid Tulsa fireman, IIRC.

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 11:01:51 -0600, "Fly" wrote:



Hi Jay...
Our chapter BOUGHT NEW DIGITAL SCALES last year
and spent 1200 bucks or so on them. 4 pad unit for
race cars, nice stuff. I can't believe the prices folks get to do this.

Scott.


Yikes! $500 is too much. I'd charge $150-$200 plus travel.

And for the EAA guys and Scott above.......
.... well thats great that they BOUGHT NEW DIGITAL SCALES.
I imagine those are the little wheel weighers about 12 inches square and
have a capacity of maybe 1000-1500 pounds. Thats ok for light homebuilts
and ultralights, C152 and Pa140 and such. Fine for you Saturday morning
hobbiests.

But if you consider providing a professional weighing service, you need a
capacity up to 30,000 lbs for each Pad and/or each jackpoint to be capable
of weighing most aircraft used in business.

Shop around for four 30K lb pads and let us know the deals you find.

You also need an annual certified calibration which will cost $300-$400.
Also you might want the capability to generate a nice looking weighing
report on site, and the way I do that is with a laptop and portable printer.
A hand scribbled sheet doesn't look good in a G-IV manual.
There are some other extras that are handy to have, like a set of fuel
hydormeters to measure specific gravity of onboard fuel.
Nitrogen setup to re-adjust gear struts after leveling....... so on.

Btw, someday try rolling a big tire aircraft like a T-6 or T28 up on those
NEW DIGITAL SCALES.

I can certainly believe the prices some folks get to do this!

Kent Felkins
Tulsa Oklahoma

This if for the Jon that knows me. I deleted the message to quick.
Thanks for the ref.
Paint shouldn't make that much of diference in prop balance. It if it
does....you should give up painting as a profession.

Contact me direct and I'll be happy to check it for you.
Kent Felkins

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 04:06:31 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

it cost over $500 to weigh the plane

$500 to weigh your plane? Yikes!

You need to cultivate a relationship with your local EAA chapter.

Those guys usually have scales, which they will usually part with for a few
hours in exchange for a reasonable "fee".

Like a case of good beer, or a fine bottle of Scotch... ;-)
Of course if it's a spam can you need some one qualified to sign off
the weighing.

Weighing is no trivial matter either.
I had mine done and they did it dry and loaded giving me CG figures
for each fuel tank.

That meant draining everything and then filling everything.
Back then it was just under $300.

Now I have a new, current, legal, weight and balance certificate.

Some where along the line, even with all the paper work the old girl
had gained about 60#. probably dirt and grease inside the belly.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

wrote in message
oups.com...
Our first annual last year increased our plane ownership cost by 50%
(engine overhaul, prop governor overhaul + few other big ticket
replacement parts + labor). When Rick and I tallied up all the things
we want our AP to do this year, it looked like we have to reach deep
into our pockets again.

Here is the list

1. Replace the dry vacuum pump with an Airwolf wet pump + Air/oil
separator(~$2500 not including labor - our AP estimated 1-2 days!). Our
original plan was to get a new dry pump (the existing one has been
spewing some carbon) + Precise Flight backup pump. Since we intend to
get instrument rating and may attempt IFR traveling (probably mostly
soft IFR), we think that the wet vacuum option would be a wiser choice
and may even out the initial cost in the long run.

2. Replace all side windows and the back window. The windshield seems
to be in good shape although our AP thinks that we will not like it as
much once the other windows are replaced! Of course, we will also want
to use the opportunity to add a photo window. This will most likely
cost at least $1K not including labor (luckily our AP allows
owner-assisted manual).

3. Replace the passenger seatbelt with shoulder harness/seatbelt. We
replaced the pilot/copilot belts last year. The cost will be reasonable
($250 or something) but probably will take a bit of labor (will try to
this ourselves again).

4. Install a cigarette lighter with multiple plugs. Probably will not
cost much but this is something we must ask our AP to do.

5. Replace the two wingtips and one stabilator tip: ~ $1K in part. Not
sure about labor. We can either do this now during the annual or let
the paint shop do it. The same goes with the nose bowls. Our AP patched
them up a bit last year but more extensive restoration will be required
for the new paint job. One of the paint shops gave an estimate of $1K
for the nose bowl job.

6. Miscellaneous stuffs: Attempt to reinstall the door bracket. Our AP
tried it once but a previous repair attempt left some rivets in the
wrong place so he had to pop the new bracket out.
Pitot/Static/Transponder check: just hope that we don't have to replace
anything else! Not sure of the cost. Last summer, Rick got the plane
weighed (after we replaced some avionics and added thermal/sound
insulation) and had the prop rebalanced. I was surprised to learn that
it cost over $500 to weigh the plane but less than $200 for prop
balancing. Replace the throttle control (again, just hope that it would
be a minor job with minimum cost). Our annual is scheduled for Feb 15.
I'm pretty sure we will think of few more items by then.

The list above and the paint job (current estimates ranging from
$10-$12K) will pretty much preclude us from taking any expensive
vacations this year. There go most of our dive trips this year. Just
hope that my 92 Honda Accord with over 230K miles will last few more
years. A Garmin 430 is most likely on the list for next year. I am
trying to convince Rick that with two pilots in the family, we don't
need 'no stinking autopilot' ;-). Not sure whether this argument will
hold when we face turbulent in IMC after getting our instrument
tickets. Speaking of IFR training, I had thought of doing either a West
Coast Adventures Trip with Field Morey or an East Coast
IFR Trip with Dough Stewart.

http://www.ifrwest.com/
http://www.dsflight.com/about.html

No doubt that either one will be a tremendous learning experience and
we will be much better pilots (and hopefully with instrument ratings)
but those trips ain't cheap either.
Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket ;-)

Hai Longworth
N30703


I don't see an annual inspection anywhere in the list.