An Annual or what!

[Brian Grindlay]

I don't know how this experience will tie into everyone else's but I have just been through the most interesting experience(I think!). I acquired Ercoupe N93462 Serial 785 Last October. Had a pre buy inspection which revealed very little to be wrong with her IT  SEEMED! I flew her from Oct until Annual time December, The annual looks like it will be completed today finally! The saga starts when I meet my new IA he looks over the documents and all seems fine,except some 337  forms missing. We get those from the FAA SO far So Good right! wrong he tells me that all the AD's are listed as completed in the back of one of my logs but that he can find no signature for them. So he must therefore research and check every AD (fair enough right!). Well he started taking my aircraft apart on Dec. 6. On December 30 it seemed he had not finished taking it apart and had not provided me with a list of items to be repaired. The craft appeared to be completely apart on the floor of the hanger, Everything had been removed I mean everything rudders, all windows, engine mounts everything that could be unbolted was, even the MAGS had been taken apart and small pieces put into little baggies.  Finally I pushed the IA for a list and asked him to reassemble the craft. He presented me with a bill for a 600 annual plus 400 AD research/Inspection plus 250 in sundry charges(which I paid). Still no list of squawks! Oh well I says to myself, and ask him to start reassembling it and to give me a list of squawks!, I also push him here with a bit of a deadline, two weeks to have it well on the way to reassemble(or I find someone else). I am not sure if I am being to pushy I guess I was  as I arrive the following Tuesday to check on progress I find a note from him telling me he would not be able to work on my aircraft anymore, But he did leave a list of squawks. It turns out, talking to someone else on the field that the IA has done work for,  that the IA had disassembled their craft and left it as well. Tells me the guy has trouble taking responsibility for signing off on annuals(gee!). Along about now I find someone else who will come to my hanger and put it back together as long as I pay travel time,  Total so far in re-assembly costs, $5000, Cost of Lessons learned invaluable! This was my first annual as an aircraft owner and I must say it has not gone the way I thought it would. Lesson one pre buy ->have an annual type inspection done by a reputable IA with a proven and researched by you track record For ERCOUPE ANNUALS(this is important) , I asked around for a recommendation and didn't check with owners who had the guy do an annual only with a couple who had him do some repairs. Lesson two -> At the end of the annual inspection make sure your craft is reassembled and ready to be moved/flown to another location for repair, The craft should be in the same condition at the end of the inspection process as at the beginning(even if the IA tells you your saving money by disassembling as part of the Annual when repairs must be done) It keeps your options open and lets him know that he may not get the work depending on his bid. Lesson three -> Get at least 5 or so bids on the items to be repaired before deciding who will do the work, get it in writing! Lesson four -> NEVER NEVER look like you actually care if the work gets done any time soon! The major item that I had to replace parts etc.             Radio replaced illegal 360 channel(pre buy should have noted this.. yes I am stupid)   1000$             Replace muffler Cracked                                                                                        300$             Replace Right Exhaust     Stainless                                                                        350$             Replace Left Exhaust  repaired incorrectly previously  Won't fit new system  stainless  350$             Sparkplugs, Engine mounts, assorts gaskets Carb, etc                                            300$ No corrosion, no rigging fixes, all airframe elements in good order ! My total cost of ownership this year 1250 + 5000 + 2300  = 8500 + Purchase price ( my head truly buttons up the back I think!) You know the thing looks just like it did before all this started, It needs a paint job and an interior. But it sure is a lot safer to fly I think! I wonder if I am the only one who has had this type of experience! You think I can really get 25K for this thing! Good thing I bought the Coup to fly and enjoy, not for the great investment it makes!   Hope to meet and see you all Brian Grindlay  N93462