Jerry hit the nail on the head. That said, from mechanic to mechanic there are varying degrees of what is considered airworthy and what is not. Most times it's based on the genuine belief or customary practice of the mechanic but sometimes the standard is raised much higher than it needs to be based on the payment amount of the kid's dental braces or the mechanic's boat.
Although few manufacturers mention "Annual", most have a recommended schedule for 100 hr. maintenance that is typically used as a baseline when performing an annual inspection. (I'm not counting paperwork reviews.) When the aircraft is maintained according to that schedule, you should have no problems with the shop. In your logbook, there should be a list of AD's and the dates they were complied with. This will aid the new mechanic in his paperwork review. If it's not there, create it. Lastly, there is no requirement to have the mechanic doing an annual to perform any of the maintenance issues. The IA will make a list of discrepancies and any licensed mechanic may correct those items. IIRC, after the mechanic makes the corrections, he can return the aircraft to service without any further input from the IA if he's done the logbook magic. Correct me if I'm wrong on that one. Al DeMarzo Visit the Ercoupe Swap Page Free, Easy and No Membership Required http://www.ercoupeowners.com/swap/swapbook.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: Jerry Eichenberger To: Hartmut Beil ; [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 8:09 AM Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Philosophy of the Annual An annual inspection has two main components: 1. To make sure that the airplane meets its type certificate data sheet, or as amended by proper STCs and Form 337 approvals and ADs. In other words, is all of the paperwork completed, and are there any unapproved modifications or installations made to the airplane? Have all ADs been addressed? 2. It is physically in a condition safe for flight. This part of the inspection requires using the manufacturer's data (usually a maintenance manual) to go thru and ascertain that all recommended maint. has been performed. Once all of that is done satisfactorily, the airplane is then deemed to be airworthy. Jerry E. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Hartmut Beil Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 8:40 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Philosophy of the Annual One other question to that matter could be: Does any one of you guys bring your Coupe in for a 25 hour checkup or a 100 hour checkup as described in the Ercoupe Service Manual ? Or does anyone do this work himself? How about the 100 hour Lubrication? It includes replenishing fluid in all struts. Is this part of an annual inspection? Or the 300 hour inspection, that lists repacking of all bearings ? So what exactly is the minimum work to be done for an annual? What makes an annual an annual? Hartmut ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 12:34 PM Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Philosophy of the Annual Linda, I agree with John, an annual, to me, should address all areas of concern and any that could cause a problem. It is extremely important and as you have seen, if not done thoroughly and properly, one is worse off than when they took their plane in. As we have unwarranted confidence in our plane because it has just had an annual, when in fact it was in better shape in some cases, before it was annualed. I know there are good and great AP/AI, I just happen to encounter those who are not. Sometime we don't get what we pay for. Lee Browning ____________________________________________________________ Make more on your investments with qualified asset management. Click now!
