Phil:
Hi all – I bought my A23-24 in April of last year, and my first Annual is due in February.
Any suggestions as to what I can do ahead of time to make it go as smoothly as possible? For example, I know that there is a little play in the anti-servo tab, and it’s because the joint where the pushrod attaches to the anti-servo tab arm has some play. What parts should I order and have on-hand? What lubes should I have on hand? Any seals or gaskets I should expect to replace? I’m going to order the o-rings for the gas caps because they appear to be leaking a little – anything else?
Bob Steward, A&P-IA:
I think this is a common misconception; that things are best tended to at Annual. In truth, an “Annual Inspection” is exactly that, an INSPECTION.
So, I’d recommend that you as the owner do a “pre-Annual Inspection”, and round up all the discrepancies and then deal with them in advance. Got a thin tire? Don’t wait until Annual and pay through the nose for the FBO’s tire and tube. Buy it from Spruce or Desser and get it wholesale. Put it on yourself, and inspect the thickness of those brake pads while you have it apart.
Who says that only a mechanic can check the timing, or do a compression test? Both are totally legal for an owner to do. True, you can’t ADJUST the timing without supervision, but you can tell in advance if you have a weak cylinder or a drifting mag. What about washing the airframe, vacuuming the carpet and solvent-rinsing the engine? Sure, you can do it all. A light bulb check? Hydraulic fluid level in the brakes (and retract power pack if installed)? Taking the wing tips off and checking for corrosion and bird nests? Lubrication, based on the Shop Manual chart?
If you have checked out all the items YOU can in advance, and have done whatever is acceptable to clear the squawks, then you’ll likely sail though the annual inspection with no big surprises.
Editor’s Note:
If the Annual can be done in your hanger, you can also leave the airplane opened up (and close it up later), and save that aspect of the inspection costs. See whether your AI allows owner-assisted Annuals. Log any time you put in like this, and ask your AI to sign your work logs for supervised work. You might want to pursue that A&P ticket some day.
On that AST linkage, try cleaning it, and installing a new bolt with grease. See whether that takes out enough of the play.