latest annual

[Mike Datema]

It is never my intention to diss anyone. This post is in response to my latest annual.

For many years, apparently, before and right after I purchased NC4369E, an 11CC, the aircraft was perpetually pencil whipped. The good part is that I had one very knowledgeable and caring AP/IA who recently went west and currently have a great AP that has kept me airworthy. If not for that, I likely would not be able to afford flying. Then, what is left?

The point is that, if you own an antique or classic airplane, look long and hard for a good mechanic that knows and CARES about who we are and what we do. The new IA was thorough and demanding but we did get through the annual, that is to say, I am still addressing the discrepancy list so the AP can examine and hopefully endorse.

Fly early

Fly light

Fly hungry

[joea]

Mike,

Totally agree and one last thing. I personally feel that its better that the owner gets involved and does a good portion of the inspection and work. That way they know what they are flying in and in many cases finds the problem that needs correcting themselves, not the IA coming over with bad news.

Do you have a checklist do to annuals on your Chief with? If not might have one I could email you that would be a big help.

Joe A

[Rick Hadley]

Joe,
Is there a chance I could get a copy of that checklist too?

Thanks,
Rick
NC86196

[joea]

Sent!

[Senior]

Hate to be a "me too"rr but my 1st annual is due Nov, would be a help to me as well.

Thanks Joe

[Rick Hadley]

Thanks much, Joe!! That will be very helpful.

Rick
Chief NC86196

[joea]

Done.

Now everyone this is a very good checklist but is as well a "generic checklist" in many ways.

For instance it says its for an 11AC Chief. You can open it up (it requires MS Excel, which is in MS Office) and change that to a 11BC, or 11CC. Most of the data in the checklist will remain the same (except on the 11CC) so you can tailor make this for YOUR airplane, then use it every year.

It also has an equipment list section, which I strongly recommend you using. Print out the first three pages and take them to the airport before you start the inspection. That way you write down the names and serial numbers of what equipment is on your plane, then go home and enter this data into the checklist on the computer. Print it out and its there for the inspection and IA, as well as ready for next year, saving you a lot of time. It also saves you a lot of time while doing the AD search, if you are going to be helping the IA with this.

There are AD's mentioned in various sections. Its YOUR responsibility to make sure that this AD number is correct for YOUR airplane. Same with the control surface travel limits and so on. To make it shorter, this is a very good guideline, but in the end its up to you and your IA to make sure that this checklist fits YOUR airplane. I accept no responsibility with this, its a guide-line only and provided as "entertainment value."

Now, after saying that, this checklist was so good that my IA asked for a blank copy and is now using it on his Aeronca. The IA who developed this is an Aeronca owner himself and long time pilot/mechanic. He did a very good job on this for the Aeronca community.

Joe A