Annual Inspections Cost

jhickam · #1 04-10-12, 05:25 PM

Just curious about the cost of annual inspections. I just had one completeted on a 1973 337G non turbo for the price in the $4000-$4500 range. It did not have any major problems and very few minor problems. Most of my annuals have been $2000-$3000 or less in the past 10 years. Would like to hear other owners thoughts on this subject.

hharney · #2 04-10-12, 10:27 PM

Was the annual from the same shop that has done the inspections in the past? Things change really quick when a new set of eyes looks over the airplane.

Ernie Martin · #3 04-12-12, 11:44 AM

Did you use the "Search" feature on this page to see prior discussions on this subject? You will get a faster response and probably more in-depth response.

Cost can be substantially reduced if you work with an A&P that allows you to do some of the work (a lot of the manpower goes to removing and replacing inspection plates, seats, carpeting, etc., and who wants to pay $50 - 80 per hour for that work?) and if you do a diligent search for parts. All of that in prior posts.

Ernie

jhickam · #4 04-12-12, 12:55 PM

The shop where I had the inspection performed does not allow the owner to help. The reason being I was told was the aircraft owner is not an A&P. I learned later that his one employee in not an A&P, but is on the job training to be one which I think is great nothing against the young man wanting to learn the trade.

hharney · #5 04-12-12, 09:35 PM

Was the annual performed at the same place that you have used in the past? Was this a new shop that did the current work?

jhickam · #6 04-13-12, 02:51 AM

I have used this shop in the past because it is located on the field. Previous annuals at this shop were the most expensive compared to the other shops at other fields. This shop is the only person allowed to perform annuals on the field according to the airport manager. The airport manager will not allow any other person to perform inspections unless they rent so many square feet of hanger space in an approved hanger. I am not allowed to hire an outside inspector to perform any services in my hanger which is about 3000 square ft.

Ernie Martin · #7 04-13-12, 12:05 PM

It's probably too late for this annual, but you might make inquiries on whether the airport manager may be exceeding his authority. In a sense, he is interfering with your ability to maintain the aircraft airworthy, something which the FAA might object to. Suppose the shop, after multiple tries, fails to correct a problem. You can't bring an outside expert to inspect? Say there is an airframe crack. You can't bring an FAA structural DER (Designated Engineering Representative)? Worth exploring for next time if you're not happy with this year's annual.

Ernie