Tecnam Hoses

[KellyZ]

For anyone who owns a Tecnam aircraft (or who is considering buying one), be aware that Tecnam has issued the following Notice of Corrective Action:

"Tecnam informs operators and owners that the fuel, oil, and coolant flexible hoses service life is
fixed, now on, at 5 years for all LSA Tecnam models. This notification is effective from the date of issue and anticipates what the new AMMs will report at the next revision/edition."

My mechanic is estimating this project will cost at least $2500, so a Tecnam LSA owner needs to budget $500/year for hose replacement alone. Of course, part of that cost is attributable to the Rotax hose replacement requirement, so all Rotax owners are going to have deal with much of this cost, but it looks like Tecnams are even more expensive to maintain.

[drseti]

I believe this is just Tecnam's reiteration of the 5 year Rotax rubber replacement requirement. The costs are even comparable (assuming a fairly typical labor rate). This is about what the rubber replacement costs in all Rotax-powered LSAs.

[roger lee]

Hi Kelly,

I have already done a couple of Tecnam's. They aren't any more costly than other Rotax 912 hose changes. Depending on who you go to the cost could be only $2500 (low end), but could get to $4K if you take it to one of the big shops with $90+ hr. rates. Parts are around $900 - $1100. The cost for a hose change has been about the same for many SLSA's. From all that I have seen and have heard of in the field I would get someone that has done 1-2 hose changes. There have been some messes. All oil and fuel lines should be in fire sleeve per ASTM standards, even if your aircraft Mfg forgot to install it. Using the proper clamps has been a huge problem. Carb diaphragms and air intake sockets get changed. Rubber engine mounts are a smart thing to do at this time, but not required. They could cost more to do later on and or you just won't do them until they are causing a problem that you may not recognize and think it is something else.

I will say this. Tecnam was one of the easiest hose changes I have had to do so labor cost are down from some other LSA's so it should be less expensive. If you go to an experienced mechanic that can cruise right along in his work from his previous knowledge on hose changes they will save you money on an hourly rate. Inexperience labor cost tend to be higher because it takes longer. If a mechanic is inexperienced see if he'll do it for a flat rate since he is learning.

[drseti]

All oil and fuel lines should be in fire sleeve per ASTM standards, even if your aircraft Mfg forgot to install it.

Roger,
I happen to be a big believer in firesleeve, even though almost all the S-LSAs I've seen came from the factory without it. The problem is, even though ASTM standards call for it, the FARs require an LoA from the manufacturer for any modification. Have you had any luck getting an LoA to install firesleeve? (I have only ever gotten one for this -- from Evektor).