Champ Annual Inspection Check List

gusc · Post by **gusc** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 18:44

Does anyone have a good Annual Inspection check list for a Champ in Excel or similar format you are willing to share?

Thanks.

Post by **joea** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 19:00

Just sent you one to try out.

Joe A

powers · Post by **powers** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 20:06

Can I have one as well. My IA and me are going to finish my annual up tomorrow. Thanks in advance!

aeroncafan · Post by **aeroncafan** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 22:26

Is yours the one that Roy Johnsen has out on the web for the Citabria Owners' Group? If so, it is very detailed (the copy I have is a total of 21 pages); even includes removing all of the control surfaces and trim tab, along with completely removing and dissassembling the tail wheel. My IA thought some of this level of detail was excessive, especially for such a simple airplane that has just been rebuilt; would cost lots and lots of $$ for such an inspection (much more than he normally would charge for a Champ or Cub).

Just curious of the level of detail you guys do for your annuals? Do you normally just remove the inspection plates and access panels, or do you dissasemble your planes? I've never heard of removing all of the control surfaces unless you suspected a problem for some reason or another.

Post by **joea** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 22:45

Same one. I modified it to fit the Chief and last week for the Sedan.

Very nice checklist.

DELCOM · Post by **DELCOM** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 01:00

Joe: I would really like to take a peek at what you have also. Please

thanks Del

Captgrumps · Post by **Captgrumps** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:58

Joe

I'd like to see what you have so I can compare with my list.

Doug

Post by **joea** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:03

Sent to Del and Doug.

Roger Anderson · Post by **Roger Anderson** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 14:39

aeroncafan wrote:Is yours the one that Roy Johnsen has out on the web for the Citabria Owners' Group? If so, it is very detailed (the copy I have is a total of 21 pages); even includes removing all of the control surfaces and trim tab, along with completely removing and dissassembling the tail wheel. My IA thought some of this level of detail was excessive, especially for such a simple airplane that has just been rebuilt; would cost lots and lots of $$ for such an inspection (much more than he normally would charge for a Champ or Cub).

Just curious of the level of detail you guys do for your annuals? Do you normally just remove the inspection plates and access panels, or do you dissasemble your planes? I've never heard of removing all of the control surfaces unless you suspected a problem for some reason or another.

My IA and myself are very happy just removing inspection plates and access panels. There's not that much to consider with a non electric Champ or Chief. Total dissassembly and reassembly of the airplane probably breaks or wears more than any good it would ever accomplish, unless you have a reason to suspect something. If one of our planes gets flown a hundred hrs a year, it's lucky. So not that much has happened since the last annual. In my opinion, a Chief or Champ annual should be quick, painless, and not that expensive. .

jc pacquin · Post by **jc pacquin** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 16:56

annual of a champ with or without electric should be 2-300 bucks if one keeps it in good shape and HANGARED. I am insistant that the AI writes clearly his name, the date, and EXACTLY what he did! Too many "inspectors" scribble and make their faa number impossible to read on purpose. If one flys 30-80 hours a year, changes the oil on time, checks the aircraft over carefully each flight what can go wrong.? The engine is 1930 technology, been around for ever! If the same AI comes back the next year, familiar with the airplane, finds everything in good order, its a pretty simple deal. Im not counting elts out of date, radio repairs, etc. I get the airplane ready for him and he wastes no time! Regards, JP

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 17:59

I pretty much have the Champ ready when my IA appears. All the panels pulled and/or opened up. I've usually already packed the wheels and the brakes (Good Year) are a no brainer. He takes his flashlight and pokes around in the wings, cables, etc. Between the two of us, we check the compression and mags (I have the tools) to his satisfaction. I "owner assist". We're usually done in 4-5 hours unless something turns up. Of course he's been doing my annuals for over 25 years so he's familiar with the plane and me. I pay what he asks and give him a few extra bucks.

I can't imagine why someone would take the control surfaces off for inspection.
Attached is a copy of the inspection form I made for my Champ

Mike Berg

Roger Anderson · Post by **Roger Anderson** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 19:05

Mike, JC, anybody...what do you do to insure Ceconite/Stits condition? We punched cotton and linen. However, I don't want my ceconite mashed with a tester. We know it's in excellent condition based on age, hangered, so forth. Any requirements? My IA gets a little anxious reference it, but I assure him it's fine.

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 19:36

He has a Maule tester and has used it but basically knows the plane is always hangared and never sits out in the weather so he doesn't seem to be especially worried about it. Seems to be more concerned with the tubing at the rear, oleo strut fluid, etc. We have three Champs on our field and he found a lift strut on one of the others that had rusted through on the bottom, apparently from one annual to the next. That was scary

.

Mike Berg

Post by **joea** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 20:44

jc pacquin wrote:annual of a champ with or without electric should be 2-300 bucks if one keeps it in good shape and HANGARED. I am insistant that the AI writes clearly his name, the date, and EXACTLY what he did! Too many "inspectors" scribble and make their faa number impossible to read on purpose. If one flys 30-80 hours a year, changes the oil on time, checks the aircraft over carefully each flight what can go wrong.? The engine is 1930 technology, been around for ever! If the same AI comes back the next year, familiar with the airplane, finds everything in good order, its a pretty simple deal. Im not counting elts out of date, radio repairs, etc. I get the airplane ready for him and he wastes no time! Regards, JP

My last annual on the Chief cost $!00, but then as the A&P I signed off a 100 hour inspection before he did the annual. The annual on the Sedan took longer and cost $150. Thats very reasonable but then I did all the "grunt work" and he just inspected.

Joe A

aeroncafan · Post by **aeroncafan** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 22:04

Thanks for the feedback. My IA types everything, including his licesne number, so I guess he's not afraid of the FAA or future lawyers. Roger used his words almost exactly concerning "dissassembly and reassembly of the airplane probably breaks or wears more than any good it would ever accomplish". He feels that if it ain't broke, don't try to break it!

(my paraphrase).

He lets the owner do as much as you're comfortable with, even prefers not to do the tedious stuff if he doesn't have to. However, since he's semi-retired and I usually do the assist part in the evenings after my job, he will sometimes not wait on me for every little thing (he golfs on Sat. and goes to church on Sun. and I use my vacation days with my wife and kids).

He normally has a fixed price for Cub/Champ/150 class airplanes of $325 or so, but charged me a few bucks extra because we did pull the oleo's for inspection (had to lift the plane, not just jack the axles), which isn't required on a Cub. The ~$325 does include a lot of elbow grease on his part and the official AD search and he's really flexible with his time and my availability, so alls good as far as I'm concerned.

National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Champ Annual Inspection Check List

Champ Annual Inspection Check List

I totally agree

Re: I totally agree