Mechanical "STUFF"

[captain_john]

Dan's thread in the other forum make me wonder just how "mechanical" we are as a group. There is a certain amount of ongoing maintenance that we need to do on our planes.

Will you be doing most of it yourself? I suppose that I will, but when it comes to engine internals I will likely seek out an A&P to assist me.

Do you do your own automobile maintenance? House maintenance?

My JEEPS have never been back to the dealer. I do my own engine and tranny oil changes, tune ups, belts and brakes and fuel injection/sensor work.

I also have never needed anyone else to do any work around my house. Ususally a hired helper is all I have ever needed. This includes the construction of the garage and a complete renovation of the house.

I am guessing that most folks here are fairly independent like me and plan on doing most of the ongoing stuff themselves.

This, for me is a main reason for building an experimental.

CJ

[cjensen]

i plan on doing as much as i possibly can myself. i have several a&p friends (one who was a former partner in my last pa-28 ), so i'll have some help when needed.

i do most all of my house maintenance myself, and some work on the vehicles. the only reason i don't do all of it (including oil changes) is lack of time. quick lube in ten minutes for $20! that's for me, and it's worth it to me. now, paying someone to do an oil change in the airplane for $120 is a rip! i'll have to save money on working on it in order to fly it!

90%

[Spike]

Im with you guys. If I have the time and money, and if there is an XP-320, Ill do that with the "build it yourself" option, though Im not holding out for a 320. They have been promising that for years.

Otherwise Ill probably have the engine built up for me.

[4kilo]

The major reason for me to build my own airplane is so that I can do all of the maintenance. I will often have someone else look at my work, but I don't plan on having anyone else help with the actual work.

Pat

[l & d lewis]

Right on Pat,

Aside from the fun of building the thing, is the ability to always have it ready to fly, not waiting for an annual or static system check or some other event. If you can build it you can maintain it. I'm not going to disown all my A&P friends, their advice/experience is always welcome, but this is my airplane. Besides my best friend A&P/IA bought a -8 kit after he saw mine...........Larry