Baron 56TC annual inspection finds. Days in the lives of underpaid general aviation workers. 

Dear gawd, whatever they are paying you it's not enough. You got some sharp eyes. How the heck you keep track of all the squawks I have no idea. Also, the specific aircraft issues, FAA regs, removal/install techniques, parts ordering, and dealing with owners... I appreciate what you do. But wow, it seems thankless. I maintain my simple homebuilt and that in itself and ordeal. I can't imagine dealing with these complex aircraft. You deserve huge props for your knowledge and expertise.

I found my new favorite channel. I have been looking for this type of maintenance content for years. Thanks guys and please make more of this type of content in the future.

These videos are really good for aspiring A&P's to show what the nitty gritty GA A&P life is good. Keep up the good work wish I would have found your stuff sooner In regards to vacuuming in between cables or small areas I've found that getting a small hose and taping a bunch on one end until it's the diameter of the vacuum hose and shove it in there. That works great for me 👍

Props (ha!) on the transparency about how to sign off a complete annual with unairworthy discrepancies and how to resolve them. Not enough pilots know about this path much to their detriment.

At home depot or lowes you can get micro nozzle kits for vacuums, then get the adapter kit for the small hose and use ductape at the ends of the different fittings to seal up the joint even better so no loss of vacuum. I have a 1/4 nozzle thats awesome but mostly use the 5/8 one. Another method is get a big ass vacuum in there and blow it all out with an aircompressor with a long brake line on it for a nozzle.

My dad had one in the 80s. He loved it then got rid of it for a B60 Duke

I just wanna say you guys do amazing work; the attention to detail is great.

Really great video on how the inspection on an aircraft goes. I'm not a pilot but I enjoy watching all things aviation and I really appreciate the time you took to make it and the detail involved. Thank you!!!

I love the videos. So organized and structured. I wish I had that level of knowledge in some area. Keep sharing!

Thats one NASTY ASS Baron!! Thank God the owner is getting it some more serious maint! Glad to see young caring mechanics are coming into this field as you can tell there are alot of HACKS out there!

Enjoy your content, been using Knipex for 15 years. Flat jaw channel locks are a must in any aircraft mechanics box. Double as amazing rivet squeezers in tight spaces... plus all the normal shit they do. Keep up the hard work, rgr!!

This was my first video I have watched on your channel and must say I’m very impressed.

Great video. Do a Cessna 310 video and it will be three hours long! LOL Seriously your videos are invaluable for us owners to understand the level of detail required to keep these old birds flying. Thanks

You guys are awesome!

I have just the thing for you! Go down to Home Cheapo and get some PVC fittings for the end of your shop vac, so that you can attach a length of garden hose. Use about 2-3 feet of flexible hose, with the end cut at a 45-degree angle. This will increase the air flow (vacuum) substantially, and the flexibility will allow you to “snake” the hose through any narrow openings or inspection panels.

Great in depth video, loved it. You had a sharp eye and basically caught everything, nothing for the IA to add!

in 2015 I did a whole new interior on my 1975 C177 Cardinal RG under the supervision of my AI. I'm pretty sure it was the first time that the area under the floor had been cleaned in at least 30-years. For dry stuff, a thin nozzle on the vacuum worked, but a good deal of the crevices were gunked up with old hydraulic oil, pulley oil, etc. I made custom bent wire and nylon brushes and used a citrus based degreaser to loosen it, then many, many rags. Its a little upsetting to see how many aircraft mechanics cut corners or just do things that make it hard for the next person to fix. Good on you!!

Good stuff here ....Thanks for sharing

Professional service well done

Really great video

Great job man ! Wish I could get my guys to be this good at their job.

Have to use one those narrow fittings that usually come with the Vaccuum accessories. But you got to use some kind plastic bristle brushes first with some kind of safe to use cleaner to loosen up the crap. Park tools makes a nice brush used for getting between bicycle gear cassettes and also Muc Off makes a cool set of brushes for cleaning bicycles.

Most informative...

I just got off the phone with a friend of mine that’s an AP mechanic for years he got his pilots license and now he’s flying the single engine turbo props for FedEx I think Cessna calls in a caravan he goes to a lot of small airports picks up packages in and then goes to either Memphis or Indianapolis to be sorted and reloaded and fly the same route back on loading Grace and peace man

Been there done that...!!!!! Liked the 56TC what a Hotrod !!!!! Duke engines sound the best !!!!! 380 hp Yeeehaawwww baby!!!!! Do require maintenance, and the owner needs to know that ahead of time .......

A 56TC cool!!!! The only Barons we see are 55's and lately we've had a run of 58p's we had lately. Have fun with those TIO 541'S.

Good episode!

Who ever says knipex is not for maintenance has never touch a plane or done any maintenance ever. Leather man, yes, but they are the least likely tool to strip out anything, and the most useful tool in my toolbox.

Keep up the good content. Interesting to see what happens at a shop... 👍 Maybe video the owner's reaction when you give him the bill.... that will be entertaining as well 🤣

Hey man, I watch a lot of videos mostly car oriented, but I am about to take my powerplant written and my O&Ps here soon and I gotta say this was really nice to watch. Plus you’re fucking hilarious 😂 subscribed

Good work. Just be careful vacuuming rat poop without a hepa filter or N95 as there are a few diseases that can be spread that way,some fatal.

Dont forget you respirator when cleaning mouse poo ;) btw I use the RIDGID VT2534 kit but also have rigged different size clear flexible tubing I got at lowes and just attach them to 1 of the thinner shopvac adapters with a hose clamp and it works great for those awkward spots.

A wooden wing and fabric covering. Cool plane!

As an airplane owner of older twins, I could feel the owner's bank account whimpering.

All that FOD, I know a Mr. Truitt whod be super proud 🥰

I'm enjoying your vides. Coming from 20 years of working on military fighters and C-130s, I got a lot to learn about GA maintenance, and I'm in my mid 50s. I guess this old dog can learn new tricks.

My old Massey Ferguson tractor and that Baron are just about the same level of nastiness.

I was so happy when he cut the bolt . hahaha cut and replace the right way in. First time aviewer as I'm starting my a&p school here on the 25th in Las Vegas. Coming from working on BMW"S and can-am's Polaris Hondas and Kawsakis. This looks like its gonna be more fun . I'd also like to look into avionics and composites. btw excellent lighting and great explanations! subbed and noti on!

OMG!! What a freakin' disaster! Mouse crap, FOD everywhere, cracks, leaks. The fact that someone was flying this crate is bloody scary. They owe you their lives!

These airplanes are real hotrod! Flew around 500 hrs in one...never had any problems with...always started in 3- 6 blades; and could climb over 30 k feet easy..but flt plan for 42 gal/hr...planes name was big gulp....

For vacuuming tight spaces I use a variety diameter of automotive heater hose to adapt down as far as I need- usually ends up being a fuel line diameter. It's okay for getting around corners too.

Great video! As always and did you see the new snap on flip flop??👀

TIO-541-E1C4 engines from a Duke. Big turbos make that plane the fastest Baron in the sky. I would highly recommend to the owner to fix it right, fuel bladder and prop de-ice, or since it is for sale, I hope any prospective buyer sees this and reduces the offer to cover those items. I never saw a prop deice boot throw a lead off like that. But I have seen a broke lead or two. Might be a good idea to solder the wires onto the terminals, but I know they don't come that way.

I hope you didn’t rebuilt those brake cylinders yet. Recently replaced a couple of them bustards leaking on two different Bonanzas with a newer style cylinders. According to the guy worked for Beech for a while those are not worth the rebuilding, going to start leaking again really soon. And they are not fun to replace. That bolt goes head-outboard just like you assumed, there is no way to force it in head-inboard with cylinder in place, it’s not going to make that angle turn to straight direction ever. Also removed and installed one bladder on Bonanza. Was leaking from one of the nipples that is attached to the ridged line towards the fuselage. Simply was over tightened and cut through by the securing clamp. Good catch on that pinched leaking brake line👍🏻 Another cool video! Thanks

I've spent years working on Beech twins and have always pressure injected these controls with a Teflon lube.

3 years for an STC. Must have been either the fault of money…or the FAA. I did a field approval for a wrong engine on an PA22, still only took 3-4 months of waiting. The stamps on the cylinders are likely from the cylinders being overhauled units, they were on their original engine at those positions. But not necessarily required to be there on the next engine

*Did you replace or spray lubricant on the mixture cable to free the full movement? *After vacuuming the FOD and poop, are you coating the aluminium with cabrium chromate (green corrosion protection)? *That was good thinking placing a screw cap on the connection and air-leak testing. 🐝💨🧑‍🔧

Kenny Powers reference wasn’t lost on me.

On the master cylinders, I pull snap ring, and pull out of body.

As an experienced IA, I consider these to be more of an annual inspection of the planes owners wallet 😆 $$$$$$$$ easy money

LOL. I crewed Hueys and I refilled my grease gun 2 or 3 times a month. Grease liberally and often. But that was helicopters and grease is really cheap.

Hey, I know that Baron as I was looking to buy it. Would love to know more on what you are finding. I know 56TC's as I did own one before.

Hmmm. 91-205 and 213 doesn't let you skip things at annual. Neither of those tells you you need brakes..or even a working elevator.. 43 appendix d specifically tells you to inspect anti-icing devices. Placarding certain things inop can let you fly the aircraft, but doesn't mean you can overlook it come annual or 100hr time. The MEL is misnamed, it's not minimum equipment, it's really what can be broken under certain conditions, that you may continue to operate with, possibly with major restrictions..maybe only 1 flight, or for a specified time, or VFR only, or no passengers...who knows. The limitations depend on the aircraft, even the "ops specs" of the operator. I've never seen an MEL for a baron, but maybe they exist. More of a jet thing. It is helpful, because without an mel, most everything should be working..the mel lets you keep going legally with certain failures. For annuals and 100hr., I consider both 43 apx "d", and the manufacturers checklist. Mostly, satisfying one covers the other, but I do make sure. Pain in the ass. I worked on a 56tc about 20 yrs ago, it was sort of a mess, also. I wonder if it's the same one. Less than 100 made. Good idea Beech...using a lycoming. To bad they picked that particular Lycoming. The 541. A 540-j2bd would have made a better plane, if a bit slower. Have fun with those bladders.. I've welded a bunch of those steps. I put a little doubler on, seems to help. Where the teardrop tubing meets the L shaped piece, I mean.

I never had too much luck with easy outs. Snap on has a better one.

I’m glad that I can recommend people to come out and get you guys to take care of their annual inspections so let me know

I have a set of different lengths and diameter silicone hoses that I fit into plugs for the vacuum hose to get into tight spots.

20 years of fixed and rotary wing maintenance in the military plus 14 as an A&P after I retired, boltheads are up, inboard and forward unless called out in the maintenance manual. 18 inch rule applies or within the space your working for FOD, even brand new from the factory can have some doozies laying around inside and age plus varying maintenance doesn't help.

Well my buddy was making $25 hourly at a United rentals shop fixing excavators. We both worked on uh60s in the army for 6 or so years. How much more do you think he’ll make going back into a&p? He’s going to get his cert soon. I will get my a&p before I get out.

If you are not an authorized Beechcraft repair station, the next time this Barron visits one, all the work you did will be for naught. They will re-inspect and redo any work you did. And charge appropriately, or at least appropriate to their rates. I owned an A56TC and almost got caught in that. I had a friend that worked at the shop and basically told me my plane may be flagged as unairworthy. Please compare the specs of a 56TC to any similar airplane of the time and you will see it was the top of the line. They require attention and they are expensive, but from a business point of view, they could be the best tool available, maybe the only one available that would actually do the job.

Hi, nice content, just curious on the min. 7:33, the bonding straps damage on the fuel line, they should be installed with bare metal clamp against the metal tube or this rubber grip on the Adele clamp enhance the electrical conductivity.

Going between those cables id usually use the corner cleaner attatchment when cleaning out airplanes

People say NO knipex in aviation maintenance?? Have they never worked on an airplane before??

For vacuuming in tiny spaces I wrap an oil sample tube in tape until I can jam it into a normal vacuum hose.

You need an air vac. Simple solution to getting in between the cables.

Very interesting to see what you look for - and how you dealt with what you found. Can you repair the fuel bladders, or are they strictly a replacement item? (Beech parts are like Porsche parts... the nine-digit part number is also the price). Nothing irritates me more than seeing the stuff you found inside this plane. I had to ask myself as I watched this video; how many times did I climb into someone else's airplane and fly or instruct in it, not knowing what hid under the floor? Although I've retired, I subscribed to your channel. VERY interesting! I'm also a former owner of a 56TC, serial # TG2.

Log book entry goes like this: This aircraft was inspected I/A/W a annual inspection and, a signed and dated list of un-airworthy items and discrepancies was provided for the owner .......... Stating that the aircraft is un airworthy is the wrong thing to write in a logbook. The word "aircraft " covers airframe, engine, prop and appliances.

Did they fly the airplane to your shop?

I was performing an annual years ago on a Blanca Viking that just got back from the Bahamas and when I took the carpet and wood up there was a significant amount of white powder in the belly of the plane. Took a day or two for me to put all the puzzles of the crime together.

How much time did the annual take ( in days) for a 27min video. BTW, nice looking Baron and looks like you do great work.

Every time I consider a twin engine, I run through the fuel, overhaul reserve and insurance costs. Guess that's nothing compared to these types of squawks.

They do have what is known as a crevice tool that goes on the end of the vacume hose. Gads! How old is that bird??? There is no excuse for all of that trash to accumulate in those hidden areas. That mouse crap and piss can be VERY CORROSIVE to aluminum which can eventually lead to metal failure. As for the pulleys considering if the aircraft was over 15 years old I would have shotguned all of them with new ones but I would hate to see what Beech gets for those items. Its about as bad as buying replacement parts for HUMMV's new from the suppliers, anything with a NSN number or TSO certified carries a hefty pricetag.

Around a 1-ft length of hydraulic tube or fuel line aluminum pipe neck it down actually neck it up to go into the end of the vacuum tube and use it as a nozzle for small places.

A slight major fuel leak. Is that like a partial total engine failure?

17:55 man, before I became a pilot I worked as a mechanic and I had to teach many apprentices why this was stupid! Apparently common sense ain’t common

Helluva deal

A 56TC Baron is a rare bird ; nice to fly and it goes like hell on 45 gals per hour. It would not be fun to pay for that 50k annual however

Another question I got the AP mechanics that I know personally or also licensed pilots are you a licensed pilot so you would have a back up plan Grace and peace man

I wanna know what happened with the wooden floor!! And if they had to make them if they where made outtta un-obtaium

The Danny McBride of Aviation

Is this. 1967 Model? There are not a lot of them out there for sale because of the cost of Mantinence

What serial number was this 56TC?

Vacuum= Harbor Freight knapsack bag vacuum powered by pneumatic line.....as long as you have shop air, it is 3X stronger than a good shop vac. I would NOT sign that plane off with that level of corrosion without serious treatment/metal replacement.- An A&P viewer.

I have a 55 I take care of...it is a serious money maker every annual. Do you have the wing bolt wrenches at your shop ?

Hey bro, with that ratcheting pulley.. would tension make that happen or what? Or is it just worn hardware?

What's so sad is this is the same deal for commercial and corporate as well. I've come across so many panels that had been 'rubber nutted' it's sickening

20:15 even on camera you could tell just by looking at that fitting it was leaking. Did this plane fly in? lol On a prayer if it did. Or was this out of annual. Looks like a barn find lol.

Of course the cirrus and Grumman get the same shop rate. I’ve built my business on this motto. Because so many guys go into bigger houses and charge more because they think they have more money. Which is morally wrong and also not always the case. However I may expect different rates for different power plants?

Rare plane, that’s had a lot of sloppy past maintenance

Have you done an annual (Condition inspection) on an experimental?

I would also NOT grind that brake piece with the gouge down and call it good UNLESS the SRM specifically denotes allowable depth. Airworthiness item....Floorboard, I would replace with 2024 sheet metal panel with inspection holes pre machined.

This is the guy that lists his airplane for sale saying stuff like "fresh $20k annual"

How many man-hours for this annual?

How is it that we spend so much on aviation and yet everyone involved gets paid so little?

baron 56 uses the same engine the Duke has 541 its upside down ha!

Gotta love older manuals without specifics. Step 1: Fix the aircraft

That oil leak looks squawky.

Just make the floorboards yourself. Use the old ones for a pattern. Save the owner some money, and let you make a little too.

Not many 56tc’s around these days. Real hot rod, but money hungry engines

Whoever was maintaining this aircraft before it came to your shop was clearly not doing their job. The amount of crud and FOD under the floor was shocking.

That plane is worse than the trainers at school