Why a second set of eyes - and hands...

H. Paul Shuch is a Light Sport Repairman with Maintenance ratings for airplanes, gliders, weight shift control, and powered parachutes, as well as an independent Rotax Maintenance Technician at the Heavy Maintenance level. He holds a PhD in Air Transportation Engineering from the University of California, and serves as Director of Maintenance for AvSport of Lock Haven.

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drseti
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Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...

Post by drseti »

FastEddieB wrote:.

There were 12.5 extra hours of labor for the muffler, mounts, oil tank, oil pump repair, etc. $937.50
That comes to $75 hour, which is a very reasonable labor rate (less than the cost if a plumber). Up here in Amish country, the going aircraft maintenance rate is $85/hour. In big cities, it's much more.
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
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TimTaylor
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Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...

Post by TimTaylor »

FastEddieB wrote:Update...

The work is complete, the oil leak apparently fixed, and the invoice prepared.

The actual rubber parts replacement was $2,950. This included a small allowance for the fuel lines I had already replaced. It's about 50% more than when Roger did mine 7 years ago, IIRC, but fair for inflation I think.

There were 12.5 extra hours of labor for the muffler, mounts, oil tank, oil pump repair, etc. $937.50

With the actual muffler repair (only $75!) and misc shipping and supplies, the total was about $4,360.

For perspective, in 12 years of ownership, this is the biggest single maintenance expense I've had.

Going back a few years to just after that last rubber parts replacement, here's what my Sky Arrow has cost in maintenance and parts by year:

2018: $297.96
2017: $513.79
2016: $584.22
2015: $160.98
2014: $55.62
2013: $296.43

Figure roughly 40 hours/year on average. Not bad.

Anticipating for those doing the mental math, yes, I ended uo going for more than 5 years on the rubber parts. Being Experimental, its at my discretion. But, of course, The Most Conservative Action is to abide by the ROTAX requirements, even if not legally required to do so.

I'm eager to get the little plane back. With conflicting schedules, July 7 is about the earliest I'll be able to make it over. The plan is to drive over with Karen (about 4 hours each way), take off and fly over the airport for an hour, land, de-cowl and inspect, and only then both start the trip home. Some pretty rough terrain between there and home, so better safe than sorry!
I would offer to pick you up and take you in the SkyCatcher but we are leaving for an extended vacation.
Retired from flying.
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FastEddieB
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Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...

Post by FastEddieB »

Thanks for the offer.

I think the plan is to drive over to give us more flexibility if something does arise on the test flight.
Fast Eddie B.
Sky Arrow 600 E-LSA • N467SA
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Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...

Post by FastEddieB »

To wrap this up...

...finally things came together on Tuesday and the Sky Arrow is back in the nest.

My friend, Trip, is a Cirrus instructor. He had a student - another instructor transitioning to the Cirrus - and said he could combine his training fight with getting me to SC. They flew into Monroe County, TN and picked me up.

Very nice flight down. We ended up on top, and Trip picked up an IFR clearance.

Image

Problem was, at 2,500’ over Twin Lakes, we were still above a layer. Got cleared for a GPS approach into nearby Augusta, broke out at about 2,000’, canceled and flew VFR under the overcast to Twin Lakes.

On the trip back, ceilings had gone up. I planned to stop at Copperhill to get mail and water the plants on the way back home. It looked iffy with a storm moving over the airport, but I just snuck in:

Image

Image

Storms had drifted away for my trip home. Some nice rainbows, some double, on the way back:

Image

Anyway, plane flew perfectly, and seems happy back home:

Image
Fast Eddie B.
Sky Arrow 600 E-LSA • N467SA
CFI, CFII, CFIME
[email protected]
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ShawnM
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Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...

Post by ShawnM »

What an adventure, thank for taking us along Eddie. Great pics.
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Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...

Post by FastEddieB »

Only vaguely related, along the lines of some years, after cruising along with minimum maintenance costs, you can suddenly get eaten alive...

Last week I flew into KTYS to have an avionics shop recertify my transponder and encoder, which were just out of date. The $95 estimate sounded good.

Problem is, my unit failed a couple of tests. Apparently only Garmin can repair them, at a $550 flat rate. For the same $550 they installed a used unit they had in stock. Final bill with labor was around $720. Ouch. But to be fair, it was the first real avionics repair I’ve needed in over 12 years, so there’s that.
Fast Eddie B.
Sky Arrow 600 E-LSA • N467SA
CFI, CFII, CFIME
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drseti
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Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...

Post by drseti »

All things considered, Eddie, I'd say you got off easy.
The opinions posted are those of one CFI, and do not necessarily represent the FAA or its lawyers.
Prof H Paul Shuch
PhD CFII DPE LSRM-A/GL/WS/PPC iRMT
AvSport LLC, KLHV
[email protected]
AvSport.org
facebook.com/SportFlying
SportPilotExaminer.US
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