Why Aircraft Mechanics Avoid Owner-Assisted Annuals | Key Reasons Explaine

Curious why many aircraft mechanics steer clear of owner-assisted annual inspections? In this video, we delve into the top reasons, from insurance policy requirements to the practical challenges posed by owner involvement.
Understand the key factors:
1. **Insurance Policies**: Learn how insurance requirements often prohibit mechanics from allowing owner-assisted inspections.
2. **Owner Interference**: Discover why owners can unintentionally get in the way, disrupting the workflow and causing potential safety issues.
3. **Hiding Discrepancies**: Explore the risks of owners trying to cover up or hide discrepancies during inspections.
4. **Unauthorized Tinkering**: See why owners tinkering with components they shouldn't can lead to significant problems.
5. **Cost Expectations**: Find out why owners often expect these inspections to be cheaper, and why that’s not always the case.
Subscribe to our channel for more aviation maintenance insights, expert tips, and practical tutorials. Hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest content, and join us as we explore the complexities of owner-assisted annual inspections and why many mechanics choose to avoid them. Don't miss this comprehensive guide to understanding the mechanics’ perspective!

[@GlensHangar]

Luckily I have an AME who not only welcomes owner participation but also encourages it. He feels that if you know about your plane - in the end you'll be a better customer.

[@brycebuildsit]

I agree with that mindset. I personally like having the owner involved. I think it also leads to a much stronger client/ mechanic relationship

[@billfargo9616]

Why would an Aviation Medical Examiner care about the plane?

[@brycebuildsit]

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Canada's equivalent to an A&P

[@kazflight]

As an aircraft owner, I am upset that you failed to piss me off. Jokes aside great video. Many great valid points, especially the break in focus with the hand holding. It's not going to be a cost savings. That being said, I am excited to join my mechanic for my first annual to learn, but I don't expect to join every inspection.

[@RusscanFLY]

Being a new aircraft owner, I really thought about doing my first annual as an owner, assisted one. This video got me rethinking that a bit only from the standpoint that, yes, I’m somewhat mechanically inclined because I’ve written the motorcycle or two that is needed stuff done to it, and as a kid of the 70s, everyone had a car that you had to tinker with at some point.but I must confess that wrenching is not a passion of mine, or something I necessarily look forward to doing. So that made me think maybe I would just be in the way. I would like to know where things are, panels work, how to remove a tire. But I’m not dying to do any of that. So it’s an interesting conundrum for sure. Anyway, new subscriber, and thank you for your content!

[@brycebuildsit]

Not to be that guy. Make sure you check out my other video on owner assisted annuals im am very much for it and lay out all the reasons i think its a good idea

[@ronpearson1912]

you dont become that guy until you get the bill or start seeing some bills from other fellow owners.

[@aviatortrucker6285]

Labor cost as follows: $100 per hr normal rate. $120 per hr is questions asked. $200 per hr if you help.

[@thecanadianavee8r660]

My dad has this list written on his toolbox

[@brycebuildsit]

I also like $250 if you worked on it first.

[@aviatortrucker6285]

@@brycebuildsit I almost forgot another important one. $150 per hour if you watch.

[@ronpearson1912]

Its a bummer when you have an incompetent owner but this is the crux of the issue between mechanics, owners and the FAA. As an owner I am FORCED by the govt to do business with 3rd party to use my own private property. This is the only reason I am pursuing my A&P / IA, and of course the FAA makes it as difficult as possible. The process is such a quagmire and if you have an unscrupulous mechanic who wants to do the annual on time and materials you can really get burned, sure you can say no but the FAA makes the A&P and particularly the IA process so convoluted they have created artificial scarcity in some areas. I have heard of coworkers in the past get bills for 6 grand (and nothing extreme was done like an engine overhaul or a new prop or significant wood/fabric rebuilds). The GA annual is probably the biggest sore spot in aviation today (I would say medicals but basic med saved that and congress had to literally force the FAA to do it because its made things to simple on some guy that wants to fly a super cub around class G air space because you have to save your whole life to pay for the special TSO parts lol and now now your facing medical problems). Imagine if every motorist had to get a special mechanic to inspect their car every year to the sum of thousands so they can go to work, I mean a malfunction on a car can also cost lives. The Chevron overturn was a step in the right direction. Yes you dont want to fly around with a crack in a critical location but that shouldn't mean 6k annuals and 5$ bolts either. The public is starting to sour on administrative law and hopefully the FAA can make some changes like let people get repairmans certs for their own personal CERTIFIED aircraft to sign off their own annuals so that all you have to know if YOUR plane and no others.

[@brycebuildsit]

I hear your points, I also think that is why there is such a large movement towards experimental aircraft. I'm starting to see as many experimental's at any given airport as certified aircraft. I also understand what you mean when it comes to unscrupulous mechanics, as I have come across one in the past. That being said, I try and be as fair and open as possible with my clients. I have never charged anywhere near 6k for an annual.

[@michaelgill7248]

If you want to see owner assisted maintenance go watch "Rebuild Rescue! 😀

[@brycebuildsit]

I've heard that before lol

[@texsurfer]

Cringeworthy at RebResc

[@TheReadBaron91]

Many do it for the savings, if they don’t know how to do stuff, it should actually cost more because at that point you are a teacher. So the first few owner assist annuals someone’s ever done should cost more, to reap the savings later. The you get into liability, so maybe the price shouldn’t change, cuz they aren’t going to go after the owner if something happens. IF I was doing annuals on my own IA, which at this point I’m not planning to, I’d probably do the same by only performing assisted annuals with someone I know. Too many snakes looking for cheap.

[@brycebuildsit]

I'll say this there are a lot of great aircraft owners. In my career o have only run into a couple of turd burgers thankfully.

[@jjancestral487]

My Temporary Airman certificate is about to expired, what should I do? Right now am not working as an A&P mechanic because I do not have my powerplant certificate. Should I get another (AIRFRAME temporary certificate) or go for my powerplant.

[@brycebuildsit]

I may be confused as to what you are asking, so let me ask a few clarifying questions. Have you tested for you A already and passed? But have not received the official certificate? The answer to that would be call the FAA records branch and ask for an update on your cert (you do not need to retest if you already passed) Or you haven't finished the testing process for the A? In that case I say finish the testing process before your window expires. Regardless of either Test for your P as soon as possible, the certificate number will be the same for both.

[@modelaircraft6576]

Good afternoon from the East coast. I pass my powerplant written about 3month ago, I got little lacks on studying the orals. I decided to study seriously to go take my O&P. Do I only study the sections in the book that my test code refers for me to study 📚

[@brycebuildsit]

Focus more heavily on those sections but still study everything.

[@modelaircraft6576]

@@brycebuildsit🫡 true i was thinking the same way thanks brother for confirming

[@airmotivewelding8012]

Great video. The crack hunt is where its at! LOT of years and still delivering expensive good news. Better to find some squawks on the ground.

[@brycebuildsit]

There have been a few where I maybe didn't save the pilots life, but we for sure avoided a major and catastrophic failure

[@airmotivewelding8012]

@@brycebuildsit Hard to say, save a life or preserve the value of the airplane its all good caught on the ground. Today, a 90% cracked engine mount tube on an Extra 330. Other members share the load, but better to know that on the ground. Keep up the good teaching!

[@ronpearson1912]

Its only expensive if your forced to pay someone else to do it. You for sure dont want cracks but it shouldnt cost thousands to fix them.

[@danielkane1770]

Cheapest thing in general aviation is “ THE OWNER”

[@ronpearson1912]

I mean if I could print my money like the federal govt it might not be a big deal to write blank checks to someone the govt is forcing me to do business with to continue using my private property. Now that Chevron is overturned that argument might come up in a lawsuit when the FAA dings someone for flying without an annual and when the FAA gets their weenier in a vice I will open up some of my homemade wine not approved with the FDA.

[@robertibarra5462]

😂😂😂