That Jet Actuator Costs How Much!?! - Tech Tuesday

Here is a look at a tiny little hydraulic actuator that costs a ridiculous amount of money. This little actuator controls the throttle when the thrust reversers are deployed. I hope you enjoy!
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[@RS-pq5mo]

Almost like buying an Inkjet cartridge !!

[@michaelgoetz7506]

Q: What's the definition of an airplane? A: A machine that turns cash into noise.

[@Black5735]

I loved this. cracked me up. This coming from someone with a plane and it eats ungodly amounts of $ at times.

[@dukegreg]

Chuck the used parts, we want all new. $30,000 .....A jet fuel fill up is $4,100.00...........so, no biggie.

[@KingdaToro]

Just like how a boat is a hole in the water where you throw money.

[@chriholt]

“it’s basically a pilot” LOL!

[@robertmaza4272]

If you think about it, 10G isn't as much as possibly losing a multi-million dollar jet with people on board! Love all you videos!!! Keep them coming! And Thanks for taking the time to do them!!!

[@ersmed]

If you think about it, the leak is due to a dynamic seal (o ring) and maybe some scoring on the actuator shaft. Worst case a new polished shaft and seal, $300 bucks tops for cost. The rest is administration and profit.

[@Subgunman]

Wouldn't doubt the cost. First it is a precision piece of equipment. Second to get that FAA cert. it cost the manufacturer big bucks. To rebuild any item used on aircraft, there is such a tight chain of origin for used parts. Aircraft of origin, who and when it was removed, inspectors to certify its is rebuildable. All tagged on the item. When it gets to the shop, its a whole different ball game. The shop must be FAA certified as well as all of the techs working on the equipment. Certified by both the FAA and the manufacture of the aircraft and or the supplier of the parts. Replacement precision parts are not cheap not to mention all of the non destructive testing that must be done to the part before and after rebuild. Lets not forget that one part has a history book written all the way through its life. Reason being is IF the unfortunate issue should ever arise, NTSB investigators will be able to determine if the demise of a flight was due to pilot error or a failure of a part. Imagine, all of this cost is passed on to the owner of the aircraft. Now you see why Boeing has a major issue on their hands, thousands of hours of research into finding a way to safely return aircraft to the flight line.

[@scotts55]

It's all about the paperwork

[@SmittySmithsonite]

That's what I always tell my buddies - if it flies, or has 2 wheels, add a zero to whatever you think the parts cost. In the turbine world, add 3-4 zeros. Thanks for this one, Shaun! 👍🍻

[@richardschindler8822]

I remember about 100 years ago when I was flying a BAC 1-11 and it went in for maintenance. I was also a. A and P so I stayed with the plane throughout all work being done. They came to me and told me we needed a new tail plane PCU, power control Unit, and they could get one, used, rebuilt with a serviceable tag for $125,000. USED!!!! Brand new wasn’t a available. Had no choice, so a quick call to the office and $125,000 later. Done. Wish I could say it felt different when I flew it, it felt the same to me. Oh well, it wasn’t my money.

[@wtmvm]

First plane I ever flew in!

[@UnBoxItwithMaureen]

I always enjoy your videos.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Looking very nice.

[@TexDrinkwater]

Looks like a

[@CorporatePilotLife]

Yep!!

[@tedferkin]

More likely the certification of the item, the certification of the company, the engineer, keeping those companies going and, of course, covering liability insurance should they mess up the refurb of the component. I used to work in rail safety. Items there were also overpriced, until you took into account our overheads. Some items took longer to test than to build, just to make absolutely sure there were no failures, even in some obscure corner cases.

[@w5cdt]

And there are 3 middlemen sitting in a office marking up the cost.

[@vetterfellow]

Thanks Shaun, Nice shirt, looks Expensive !!! 👌

[@monsterzero760]

Thank you for the great videos over the years! I wanted to wish you and your family a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving! Happy and Safe Thanksgiving to all your followers too!

[@billyragan9693]

It was cool to meet you at my airport the other week! Fly safe

[@jaylena682]

Very cool!!

[@jims1236]

As a fellow maintenance guy on corporate jets over in the UK, I thought Adam’s joke was quite funny actually!😉😂😂

[@chuckcampbell3927]

✨🛫Hey CPT, What what a lucky find. I was searching around on the election day trying to get all the news and suddenly there you were. Really really enjoyed the video. Very smartly done and very informative to the flying and non flying public. You just got to love that little label TSO'd!!! Cordially, Cpt.Chuck🛬✨

[@flying10411935]

That's called product liability. You can thank attorneys for the high cost for any aviation part.

[@Jorgeola757]

Wow , that's expensive. Thanks for the vlog.

[@gregbrehm1]

Didn't think it would be interesting - but once you got into it - it was actually interesting. Ridiculous price for what appears to be a reverse actuator! Thanks for the video!

[@Lee-in-oz]

Geeze you guys have a Toyota tax as well... Mate these tech vids are getting better and better. Thanks so much.

[@daveneely8692]

Lots of money, but safety is worth every penny. Thanks again for the in-depth looks!

[@CorporatePilotLife]

You bet!

[@markcomputertech7997]

Serious damage on that wing flap!

[@N98858]

Airplane equals "Big Money" for pretty much any part! Thanks Shawn

[@tylerHphoto]

The amount of testing and inspection of each part before it can go into rebuild, plus some components of the part can't be rebuilt/reused, o-rings, seals etc. Then during each step of the rebuild has inspections. Then once the part is rebuilt it is tested and certified for use. All those steps take trained and certified/licensed people and companies to perform those steps. So the cost of the specialized equipment to do all those things plus the cost to maintain licensing and certification for a small niche part adds up.

[@videopokernetwork6824]

I know two guys in upstate New York. They can have a case of those things on your doorstep first thing in the morning. Put $2k in an unmarked bright orange envelope, walk it down to the old brown horse barn, and whistle the theme song to Breakfast at Tiffany's, so we know it's you. Don't tell the Cops and we'll throw in some extra seals.

[@jimhal5553]

Go to Bubba Joe's discount airplane parts and espresso bar where no parts tag is too red for us. Now show that to your mechanics. FAA-PMA=BIG$$$$$$

[@garykolo8650]

Sitting here in Port St Lucie waiting on arrivals for the air show and rocket launch tonight.

[@AnonyMous-jf4lc]

That’s because a major catastrophe caused the design and implementation of those devices. An airliner crashed because one of the engines went into reverse thrust unintentionally. I can only imagine the level of scrutiny that part goes through.

[@edinthecouv]

I'm here because Premier 1 Driver gave you a shoutout on his latest video.

[@davidfarrish9000]

Great video. Little things are expensive. Just glad the FAA does not have anything to do with diamonds or we’d all be broke.

[@porscheman998]

$10k to rebuild? That’s more than I spent on my car!

[@rikspector]

Shaun, Commercial planes, safety equipment = big bucks. Granted, the parts have to be as fail safe as possible and meet very stringent standards, but there is a psychological factor Somehow the huge costs insure the reliability and if it does fail, well it's just a freak accident. Cheers, Rik Spector

[@MattyCrayon]

The overheads of the aviation industry are just staggering. I think the general public would be stunned if they had to pay the real costs of covering all operational expenses.

[@Will-ol9lp]

That’s just crazy 10k wow

[@meatwheel1937]

That's a Fetzer Valve, I think y'all need a refresher course.

[@BoB4jjjjs]

Drop test it before you fit it!! A vital part for thrust reversers though, there has been a few accidents due to thrust reversers deploying when they are not supposed to, this at least would make sure there is no power on it if it ever did deploy, well worth the cost it it ever happened. However, that is a bit steep, but low manufacture count makes things expensive!

[@fxpthl]

Another very good example of why jets are Very expensive to buy AND maintain!

[@vonw.3294]

We just "Hanging out in the hanger"!

[@bruce2357]

I was always told that one of the main reasons airplanes are expensive, even Cessna 172's is because of the liability insurance. When I was working at an FBO a renter pilot came by before closing to pick up the keys for a night flight. He then proceeded to get drunk come back to the airport get in the plane and kill himself while scud running. His family sued everyone, the FBO, the fuel manufacturer, the airplane manufacturer and a bunch of John Does.

[@dannywilliamson3340]

Yep...trial lawyers. They f&@k up everything they touch.

[@salsedo913]

That is crazy. LOL. That money could pay for a trip to Bora Bora. LOL. Safe travel.

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

Wow! Great vlog as always! They will not give you a $1000 back since you turn in the old one?

[@johnsnodgrass4429]

A $10,000 part is just 1% of the cost of a million dollar airplane. Cost of going high and fast. Great tech video.

[@dtoften]

Ask an aircraft owner what makes an airplane fly and he will say money.

[@robsteele2087]

It's the same thing that holds houses up.

[@volador2828]

Dollar bills!

[@projekt6_official]

$10k. Sounds about right. But wow... Thanks for sharing!

[@hunterdavis2833]

I was talking to an A&P at my FBO and he was telling me some of the parts prices. $10,000 honestly seems halfway reasonable after hearing a window shade is $8,000.

[@Petewarduk]

Hi from Manchester England how did you become a corporate pilot thanks Charlie

[@petewentz3528]

Sean, we enjoy your channel and your videos. Can I offer a few suggestions? Over the life of your channel, I'm sure you've heard these or similar comments and maybe you can direct me to the video or videos that covered a little of what I am curious about. Your videos from the flight deck give a unique perspective. However, unless your viewers have been with you since video #1, there are many things missing. I'd love for you to do a walk-around and explanation of the key or maybe less well known features of your aircraft. For instance, I can't even find a video that shows that beautiful Gulfstream G-IV in all its glory and in that cool paint scheme. But, how about a little navigation of the airframe features that make it tick, data gathering tubes/collectors, trim surfaces, lav. port, refuel access, TRs, etc.? Also, how about enlisting someone on the ground to help you by taping one of your short final arrival sequences, and the departure end of a runway when you spool up the engines. The viewer misses much of the exterior thrill of your aircraft at the airport. Did you ever take viewers on a tour of the interior? Switching gears, when will be be able to gain your perspective on various airfields that you visit, what makes some challenging, others a piece of cake (e.g., extra concrete or pavement length, runway proximity to local terrain, etc.). What about the basic proposition: Are all corporate airports offering a level playing field in terms of precision lighting and instrumentation systems? Do you ever fly into fields with only a localizer instead of full ILS? Is a PAPI kind of lighting augmentation helpful to folks flying corporate jets or is that more useful to the Cessna 150 crowd in general aviation? What are your and John's pet peeves and not so obvious joys about flying the corporate life? Ability to try out different aircraft? Visit new destinations? Interact with affluent and VIP caliber passenger types from interesting walks of life? If we can't access some of the more esoteric aspects of your career, how about promising to author a biography or memoirs some day? For instance, I'd love to learn what you think about the Part 135 FAR regulatory scheme....is it adequate, up-to-date, still viable? If you could change anything about the Gulfstream extended range aircraft, what might it be? On one of your videos, you mention a meet-up with some local viewers. How do we find out when/where those opportunities arise? I would be pleased to buy you a libation of your choice when you have the no-fly time. Thanks for sharing your CPL....we thoroughly enjoy what your provide us, and extend regards to John.

[@fobypawz418]

owning private Jet is like owning Precious Jewelry, accept that it depreciates over time.

[@youshouldknowthis3424]

Crazy $50 at Kmart !

[@G4Disco]

It's crazy to think that it'll cost just tiny fraction of that to actually repair it. The packings are probably less than $10. But, they are US made and FAA approved, so add the $$$$.

[@waukeshapilot6462]

Nine of those would buy you a Nice C8!!!!!!!!!

[@LukePylypciw]

I swear you put the word aviation in the name and price automatically x5😂 Normal dress shoes- $100 Aviation dress shoes- $650

[@christopherfarmer3751]

You potentially may want to check your aviation math.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Same with the words, Harley-Davidson ...

[@Jet-Pack]

2:35 you may have a callsign on the jet in the back there...

[@hawkerteach]

For those of you who commented that the flap was damaged, to quote a wise man: "It's not broken, It's British"

[@lloydphilbrick6907]

Now that you have logged many hours in the Hawker, do you prefer it to the Gulfstream? Or equal?

[@fourwheelcamper5491]

If it keeps you defying gravity I guess it seems reasonable priced.

[@gtr1952]

$30k new? Holy cow!. Wonder if the inside is gold alloy?? 8) Now I have to go looking, this should keep me out of trouble for a while. LOL 8) --gary

[@freemanwaters2506]

I'd wager a huge pile of other people's money that there is one Hell of a core charge on that part.

[@sethflight]

I'm wondering how much was the "core" charge on that part?

[@beardelmar]

Man that seems outrageous. Are those the Pratt motors? It can’t be more than 10 or 12 hours of labor to remove / install, so where is the $$$ ? Sean, it would be an interesting follow up - for example, is it like pharmaceuticals where the devo costs are high, or is it the certification and testing...

[@screamingparrot4070]

Is that a part that has something to do with Airbus call outs?

[@brentgalye2936]

Sean, take your automotive parts pricing and add a number of zeros to it. It all goes to certification and trace.

[@firstnamesecondname5341]

Insurance and certification 🤷🏻‍♂️ we had it in building armoured cars, a £50 part with a £400 certification test... soon makes it a £1,500 part 😕

[@Pintuuuxo]

Well Shaun, if you made the whole aircraft out of spare parts it would cost 3 or 4 aircrafts, right? Good video. Thank you.

[@zoozolplexOne]

really expensive actuator !!!

[@beinitial9900]

What happens if it's a drive by wire not cable? Same type of setup?

[@waynehahn1779]

Are you nervous on the first flight after a major maintenance event like that?

[@brianhubbard6423]

Is this like the difference between a Chevy and a Cadillac, just because of the name or is it just because it's an aviation item? God bless safe flying.

[@ymcairedellbball]

Is the flap behind you damaged? It looks like it.

[@DeTrOiTXX12]

Very interesting! How did you find out it was going bad?

[@petejones4808]

Mk1 eyeballs at the inspection would be my guess. The actuator would still work even with a small leak. It likely wouldn’t be noticeable from the cockpit.

[@eglide73]

The valve stem caps on the tires are probably only $200-$300....so it balances out🤣

[@donaldholman9070]

Kinda like a Ford!

[@vetterfellow]

How Much !!!!😒😢🙌 You can't break broken😜

[@matt_waddy]

"I like expensive things." Well, you are married after all. That'll cost more than that actuator. Haha.

[@wkdravenna]

Tru, tru.

[@Ridgerunner49]

Is the maintenance man off camera shaking when you're touching this

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Speed costs money !!!

[@kenbryant2570]

I am clumsy. I would set it down and walk away from it..lol

[@Big.Ron1]

Its a 100 dollar parts and 200 in labor rebuild. Another 500 for time setting on the shelf waiting to be bought. Call it another 200 for profit, and the rest to layers for liability defense, liability insurance, utilities, and so on. A very large portion goes to insurance and lawyers. Now days there are only a couple companies writing aviation insurance. That makes it very expensive. Stupid but true.

[@bigjohn2810]

Government regulations "making Us safe"

[@DavidBruner_NJ]

I am in the wrong business. Rebuild 4 of those in a week and it would be a good living! 😀

[@tempestmkiv]

That actuator retards the throttle to idle in the even of an inadvertent TR deployment because the a/c is incontrollable if power is above idle speed.

[@lrodpeterson3046]

If it's a medical application add 200% If it's a nautical application add 300% If it's an aviation application, double the previous two

[@G8R8R]

I had a customer get rather upset when he found out the cost of the tires. I told him "If you can't afford the tires, don't buy the airplane"

[@phatboizbackyardkustomz9006]

Bet you can find something on Ebay that would work for $100 bucks... But...it doesn't sat FAA-PMA on it.

[@jeffreygosselin1143]

“It’s basically a Shaun.” OUCH 🤕 THAT’S MEAN! Sorry ‘bout that! 😬

[@antoniosousa5677]

Well, escuse me for this position, but we do not ever forget that salaries and profits are not in the lower limit. Then all costs are in theyr upper level.

[@timmiddleton7493]

You can gem them cheaper on Amazon

[@mikeblackford994]

Thats hilarious

[@bigjohn2810]

Ya, If You want to trust Your plane and life on a part made in china

[@w5cdt]

That’s one reason I can’t afford a jet ;-)

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

It costs that much because it's the version without the red dot on it. (Let's see who gets that)

[@MikeKobb]

"Ridiculous" is a good description. I'd like to know if there's anything particularly sophisticated or high-precision about that part to justify the price tag, or if it's a case of either a single-source item for which they can charge whatever they want, or something where the liability insurance costs for the manufacturer are stratospheric, or both.

[@daveneely8692]

There is a lot that goes into the process of "restoring" or "rebuilding" of these parts. "counterfeit" parts have played a role in a LOT of accidents and incidents in aviation.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

A bunch of the cost is documentation. That part and all of its components are tracked cradle to grave. With tests, checklists, and sign offs at each and every step. A part that you put on a non certified aircraft like an experimental might cost a thousand. The same part with paperwork might be over $5000. Throw in liability etc and yes the price can go insane. Only thing worse is nuke rated gear. A simple $300 pressure gage suddenly becomes a $3k part. Or more depending on how many of them have to be built and tested to destruction before they certify the part.

[@MikeKobb]

Good points about the paperwork costs. Still, though.

[@tonyleonguerrero6665]

Dave Neely I agree 100% on your feed back. The parts overhauled & rebuild parts (Serviceable used) must be recertified and these certifications can only come from an FAA, EASA, CAAC authorized facility hence the high cost of aircraft engine parts. If an A/C were to go on AOG and a mechanic has to install the parts, the Certs. must accompany the parts and that paperwork goes with the aircraft log book. The aircraft principles pay a lot of monthly fees for warranty coverage or so called corporate care coverage, so if the a/c is covered the owner in many cases get the part replaced without paying saving thousands of dollars. The RCM's are normally involved when dealing with a/c engine maintenance and work closely with the mechanics or Maintenance Managers.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

@@tonyleonguerrero6665 , I recently saw on KZbin where a guy was picking up an airplane that he’d bought. It was about a 15 year old Cessna that had been owned by an University and had been maintained well. They had a computerized maintenance and repair tracking system and gave him all the records on a thumb drive. They also gave him 4 bankers boxes of paperwork of logs, certificates, and sign offs. I remember watching that show on TV where they repossessed aircraft. On one episode the guy commented that the paperwork was worth just as much as the jet he was repossessing. Hard to believe but probably true.

[@Breenild]

A piece like this cost (new) as much as a new car. That's crazy! I have big doubt that it's really worth it! Completely exaggerated.

[@jeffr532]

I'm in the wrong business 😉

[@michaelashcraft8569]

Reason 452 why I don't own a Jet, first reason is I don't fly...

[@WayneRigley]

Ship it here for 20 bucks I'll fix it for 40 bucks and a case of Red bull.

[@pyroman590]

$100 in parts to fix the cylinder $400 in labor to fix the cylinder $500 in precision tool time to fix the cylinder $8000 insurance policy to insure fixed part $1000 profit for the cylinder fixing company

[@navinstrument8353]

Everything is expensive in an airplane

[@f.n.schlub2269]

What ? Is that a beryllium bronze housing ? Still, it sounds like price gouging, even for a very low production part. I understand redundancy, but I can't help the feeling that such a simple go-no-go function could best be handled with a simple position sensor on the engine throttle and an exclusion circuit in the cockpit levers. The British are superb engineers ... except when they're really not. It's flip-of-a-coin whether a solution will be elegant or needlessly Rube Goldberg. I don't think British mechanical engineers and electronics engineers go out pub-crawling together nearly enough.

[@golfer1515]

Sean you look beat! Get some rest buddy...

[@RussellD11]

I will sell you an Acdelco (automotive one) for $500 brand new :P

[@donc9751]

Nothings cheap on airplanes especially jets! Be interesting to know what just 1 of the windshield wiper blades for a jet cockpit costs!? But then your jets may not even have wipers, Correct ?

[@wyattglen1]

WORST episode of "Wheeler Dealers" I've ever watched.... (Still pretty cool, tho. We miss ya'll in the air!!!)