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Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:39 am
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.
Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 10:29 am
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.
Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...
Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 1:55 pm
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.
Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 3:24 pm
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.
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:
Storms had drifted away for my trip home. Some nice rainbows, some double, on the way back:
Anyway, plane flew perfectly, and seems happy back home:
Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 4:12 pm
by ShawnM
What an adventure, thank for taking us along Eddie. Great pics.
Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...
Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:47 am
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.
Re: Why a second set of eyes - and hands...
Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 11:37 am
by drseti
All things considered, Eddie, I'd say you got off easy.