From Jay (snipped)
This is an aspect of ownership that is not often discussed. Nagging
little
problems that, as a renter, don't even enter you mind, become HUGE deals
as
an owner.


Thanks for providing that perspective for us non-owners enviously
looking on.

Jay makes a great point. Before I became an owner, as an instructor I took
great pride in knowing the rental airplanes I flew inside and out. I knew
the AD's, the inspection dates, the squawks, and how the owner and
maintenance people took care of them. It gave me great insight into what it
took to be legal, what it took to "get by", what could wait, and what would
never get fixed no matter how much we bitched.

I think one of the greatest things about owning is that you become very
intimate with your airplane. You go through all the same decisions about
when, how, and whether to fix, replace, or repair something, but they are
YOUR decisions, not somebody else's, you control the entire process,
although sometimes your options become limited. You also know what your
budget is, which like other owners, will contribute greatly to your decision
making process. You get to really know your airplane. You also get to make
money saving "investments" when you repair or replace certain things. If
you know "doing it better" will cost you a little more now but save you a
lot more later, (and you can afford it) it becomes an easy decision.

Case in point: The exhaust systems on Aztecs run very low, very hot, and
very close to the fiberglass cowls. Too much heat will destroy the cowls.
When our exhaust systems needed to be replaced, a very smart previous owner
had them fabricated a few inches shorter to provide more clearance between
them and the cowl. Didn't cost any more money, labor to remove and replace
would be the same, but he preserved the fiberglass nose bowls which are
$2400 new unpainted EACH!

So... some repairs, done properly and smartly, will save you money in the
long run. Unfortunately a point often forgotten on rental planes.

The next time your rental or club plane comes back from a squawk repair,
take a look at the logs, take the time to talk to the A&P, and ask for some
details about the problem and the fix. You may be presently surprised or
amazingly shocked.

Another thing about owning is that you can, if you take the time, develop a
very close relationship with your maintenance shop. This will pay HUGE
dividends. They will be more willing to call you up in the middle of a
project and tell you about other little things that you may want to take
care of while they have the airplane torn apart. Much cheaper than
repeating the same labor requirements for a new problem at a latter date.
They may also let you look over their shoulder and help with some of the
projects. I would insist on this type of arrangement. Even if you don't
save any money on labor, what you learn will become invaluable down the
road. Ask your club or FBO if you can help out with 100hr inspections, oil
changes, annual inspections, or other maintenance. You may be able to trade
some sweat equity for some flight hours, either way, you'll be a smarter
pilot and well on your way towards ownership.

Jim