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  #11  
Old 09-13-2014, 05:30 AM
Sid Lambert Sid Lambert is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: North Atlanta
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Davoakes@att.net View Post
So the only recourse is to either get the original builder to look at the aircraft, or use an IA. Either of these two methods may not be "free".
Dave
When will people stop spreading this misinformation? An AI is NOT needed to do condition inspections on EAB aircraft. The builder that holds the repairman certificate for the airplane and any A&P can sign off the inspection.
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Last edited by Sid Lambert : 09-13-2014 at 05:34 AM.
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  #12  
Old 09-13-2014, 07:55 PM
precession precession is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerG View Post
Wow $3150 for Inspection on a RV-4?
I'm currently completing a 4, and would be curious what others from around the country are spending on average for annual inspection.
No way it should cost anything like that unless some major problems, or work needs to be done. Before mechanic starts his inspection, take off the cowling (top & bottom), wheel pants, all fairings and inspection covers, make sure ahead of time there are no obvious maintenance items that need to be addressed (e.g., oil is changed if needed, control linkages lubed, air filter clean, braking system and everything else in good order), and in my experience you should be out of there for $300 - $400, maybe $500 if your mechanic is a little more expensive. I'd look for someone else if your mechanic is looking for more than that -- unless he finds something wrong requiring work you can't do.
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  #13  
Old 09-14-2014, 10:03 PM
RV-4 RV-4 is offline
 
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Location: St-Jerome,Quebec,Canada
Posts: 1,125
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Kenora

''ANNUAL INSPECTION???
Don't you do that yourself?''
-----------------------------------
In the States they can't if they are not the original builder of the aircraft,builder that holds the repairman certificate for the airplane and any A&P can sign off the inspection. ''

In Canada we are allowed to do anything and everything to the a/c as it is an experimental which is great as long as you know what you're doing.

Cheers

Bruno
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  #14  
Old 09-15-2014, 06:20 AM
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rv8bldr rv8bldr is offline
 
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Location: Pakenham, Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Davoakes@att.net View Post
Realize that a "free" condition inspection can only be done if you are the builder of the aircraft. If you have purchased the aircraft from another you cannot do the inspection yourself.
So the only recourse is to either get the original builder to look at the aircraft, or use an IA. Either of these two methods may not be "free".
Dave
That is true in the US, but not here in Canada. The owner (not necessarily the builder) can do his own annual here. Big $$$ saver.

Cheers
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RV-8 C-GURV (Flying since Nov 2004) - Sold
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  #15  
Old 09-06-2015, 07:20 PM
Whitman Whitman is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Allentown PA
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Total cost per hour is down to under $58/hr, thanks to lower fuel prices and lower maintenance costs this year. Try to find this kind of performance, fun, and practicality on the rental market for that price. You can't even rent a C-150 for this.

Hangar: 1110
Insurance: 959
Annual Inspection: 1317
Fuel: 5130
Oil/Filter/Analysis : 240
Total Cost: 8756
Hours Flown: 152
Total Cost/Hr (Fixed + Variable): 57.61
Cost/Hr (Variable: Fuel/Oil/Engine): 40.33

Assumptions: $4.50 gas, $5/hr engine reserve
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  #16  
Old 09-07-2015, 08:46 AM
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twsurveyor twsurveyor is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ridgetop, Tennessee
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitman View Post
After my first year of RV-4 ownership. Here are the costs. I consider fixed costs a sunk cost so only focus on the variable costs like fuel/oil when deciding to fly or not.

Annual Inspection: 3150
Hangar: 1080
Insurance: 1299
Other Mx: 350
Fuel: 4048
Oil/Filter/Analysis: 200
Hours Flown: 101

Total Cost/Hr (Fixed/Variable): 100
Cost/Hr (Fuel/Oil Only): 42
What about Engine Reserve and Data Card updates, ForeFlight subccriptions etc?
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  #17  
Old 09-07-2015, 09:27 AM
Whitman Whitman is offline
 
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Location: Allentown PA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twsurveyor View Post
What about Engine Reserve and Data Card updates, ForeFlight subccriptions etc?

5/hr engine reserve included based on 10K overhaul. I use lifetime updates from Dynon and have Dynon ADSB Wx as well. That pays for itself in two years over XM.
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  #18  
Old 09-10-2015, 05:49 PM
Lupin Lupin is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Montreal
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV-4 View Post
Kenora

''ANNUAL INSPECTION???
Don't you do that yourself?''
-----------------------------------
In the States they can't if they are not the original builder of the aircraft,builder that holds the repairman certificate for the airplane and any A&P can sign off the inspection. ''

In Canada we are allowed to do anything and everything to the a/c as it is an experimental which is great as long as you know what you're doing.

Cheers

Bruno
Hi Bruno,
While many embrace the Canadian system where the owner can do his own maintenance, I have seen the other side of the equation... As an AME that has done many pre-purchase inspections in the Montreal area, the owner maintenance on experimental aircraft is somewhat of a nightmare. It's far from a model to follow. If you built the aircraft, then at least you have a rough idea of standard practices. Ideally there should be a minimum of competence demonstration prior to being able to inspect and certify your aircraft as fit for flight.

As for the 3000$ inspection, that seems high for a fixed gear aircraft with a fixed pitch prop and push pull tubes to inspect.

I am curious as to the hours breakdown... How many hours were necessary to carry out the inspection part (excluding repairs)?

?ric
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  #19  
Old 09-10-2015, 07:25 PM
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Neal@F14 Neal@F14 is offline
 
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Location: Wichita Falls, TX
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3 AMUs is a huge chunk of cheddar for an annual condition inpection unless there was a lot of stuff to be repaired or replaced. I am fortunate to be able to get the builder of my RV6 to do the inspections. I usually trade him a couple hundred dollars worth of ammo each year and have to twist his arm to take it. Of course I do all the "grunt work" myself, but we basically take the whole plane apart and go over it with a fine tooth comb... after all it's now MY bacon on the line for the plane's airworthiness.
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Last edited by Neal@F14 : 09-10-2015 at 07:29 PM.
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  #20  
Old 09-10-2015, 11:41 PM
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lukej lukej is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Kansas
Posts: 49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbibb View Post
Interesting data. This is one thing I never want to know about my plane. When it costs too much for the joy received I'll quit. Somehow knowing the number might hasten that conclusion. Hence I continue all attempts at fiscal self-deception.

So far its working....
I'm like you Rbibb,, don't want to know,, it's like buying a sports car somebody ask you what the miles per gallon are, don't know don't care!! Got it to go fast....

3000 for a condition inspection,, that's crazy.... Sorry my 2cents...
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