The annual for this thing

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1403046695.jpg

was $15,000 three years ago, mainly to fix things missed during previous annuals. (It runs on 100 octane money). The airplane sold for around $2800 new. $300 for an annual inspection is borderline criminal. My very good AI found an elevator cable that wasn't swaged properly and when tested, it failed at about 60 lbs of pull. No elevator control can ruin a perfectly good morning, and I guarantee the tire-kicker IA would not have found that.

That's why I'm not using him. Actually its not the labor that's bad, I think the shop charges around $75 an hour. Ive paid more for the Porsche, its the parts that kill you. I do what I can myself, which is basically oil and lube.

Yup, I gathered that from your message, but, I know plenty of owners who do just that. My last annual was at $85 per hour. The place that works on my wife's Honda charges more than that; it's why I dropped out of A&P school all those years ago!

Fair days!

(btw; the plane is slower than the C4)

This year, I will have the airplane up on jacks, inspection panels and interior removed, inside my own hangar.
The mechanic can show up do the normal very thorough inspection, and after any discrepancies are resolved, I will button everything back up.
I enjoy this, and I won't be taking up any floor space in the big maintenance hangar.

I looked around until I found a shop that not only allows, but encourages owner-assist annuals. I pull panels, covers, clean up things, replace parts, everything not involving an inspection; everything is discussed first, nothing is done without being inspected or supervised. It saves a bit, but more importantly, it teaches me more about this thing. These guys prefer to have it in their shop, because that's where all their tools, books, etc are. They also do as you described at your hangar and will do a very thorough inspection that way. Also, I'm being supervised, so I can log the time and eventually get my own license. I'm at 0S9; great little strip.

who needs an engine?


my neighbor buddy brad in his sail plane.


silent, you don't need ear muff's to drone out the 130 dB noise of a prop?



noise rushing by, is a rush in itself.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7GpxG45SCY&list=UUue4GZoUkUXZILpSv7o8iww

I'll be able to do this next year, but I don't have any tools with me at this time.

Good restaurant there. Nice view of the Olympics.

Da goose.

That does look like fun. However, when I land on a sandbar to go fishing for a bit, I prefer not to have to walk home.

Build one and its free, do all your own annuals.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...nterflying.jpg

I've gone up with Brad in a Tandem Glider..............and yes the "Final Approach" IS the final approach........

different strokes, he loves it and builds the gliders himself..........several kits from Russia came with a 1/2 gallon of vodka in the cockpit as a gift. SmileWavy thank you comrades,

I see you've brought a spare set of wings! Outstanding!

Wasn't knocking it. It's all good!

DM you sure are a devil for punishment. Liking Porsches, airplanes AND boats. http://finanziellede.de/hu6d.jpg

I've had mine since 2006. Across that time, it has averaged about $10,000/year including all fixed & operating costs. Hangar rent is almost half the total costs.

At 2.5gph on Av fuel or unleaded premium, my cost per hour is minimal. Two seats lets me take someone for a ride & helps with BFR.

I've appreciated the variety in one aircraft. If there's lift, shut off the engine and fly for free. (OK...nothing's really free in aviation.) Canopies give you greater efficiency. Have flown it from WA state to Ohio & back. On a nice warm day, replace the enclosed canopies with open cockpit, put on your leather flying helmet & goggles and channel your Walter Mitty.

On short final; main gear extended (sorry about the picture size)
http://www.rf5b.com/images/070601_N99809Landing-e-s.jpg

Our annual cost for a 36' sailboat is 5K which includes slip, insurance and fuel costs. If we rent a 36 footer for two weeks on charter it would be about 5K for everything. We use our boat all year or about 45-60 days in a yr. Some yrs we sail every month and some yrs dec, jan and feb is fix and repair months.

I do my own maintainance which saves tons on money but there are some things that I can not do nor do I want to do.

Initial cost with all things considered was about 50K and as long as I maintain it in the Bristol condition will get that when I sell or trade for a better boat.

After raising three children, this boat deal is a piece of cake.

Porsche's and boats are reasonable compared to aircraft ownership.

I have seen many many releaved of cash because of the wing addiction, my self included. I'm renting now.

Twin engines make it happen twice as fast.

If I could legitimately increase my business profit by owning and operating a light twin I would do it now. Mountain flying here requires known ice capabilities, singles don't give me the warm and fuzzy' s in the winter in Montana.

I know to much to pretend it could be justifiable. To many other obligations.

I want one! but the business side of me says (Take a couple deep breaths!) it's like crack until the fuel bills and annuals come.

It would be the first stop after picking up my lottery check :D


C 340 Would be the one
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1403116717.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1403116730.jpg

Got the illness real bad...
 

No cure in sight. Made possible by a pilot spouse, hangar to store stuff, doing my own maintenance 93% of the time and in keeping the use fun vs. driven by business or schedule.

If it quits raining here soon one of the boats goes in the water.

The 69 Century IS for sale...btw.:)


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1403126167.jpg

That hangar kicks ass! Jealous!!!