The NOT SO GOOD Airplane Ownership Moments of Aggravation 

As an A&P, I can say the answer to your problem is sittting in the right seat. You son needs to get his A&P and pilots license. He will end up being so busy that Dad may have to wait! Thanks so much for the videos!

That young man is fantastic with the radio communications!

The joys of airplane ownership. Definitely feel your challenges but like you said, it is absolutely worth it!

Student Pilot here in Portland, OR love the videos brother!

Good to see you again, my friend... I totally understand your frustration. In my opinion, there are very few aviation maintenance facilities that are trust worthy. Sadly, they have us by the short hairs, and they take advantage of it. That is why I have been doing my own annuals for the last ten years or more. With the help of a trusted friend, who is an A&P, and another who is an IA, I've saved a ton of money. Without those two good friends, I couldn't afford to fly. With price of fuel, I may have to quit anyway. Thanks, Mr. Resident! Anyway, I'm glad to see you're smart enough to stay out of possible icing conditions! And, Javier's radio skills are so good, he might make a good ATC! God bless you and your family.

I've been in this position lately. My plane had been in that shop for 5 months and felt lied to and also like the end result would still suck. I've thought about going there and taking the plane to somebody else who knows his thing, but the plane was out of annual (it took them so long that I had to post-pone my annual at another shop). It's like being stuck in between a rock and hard place. Now the problem is not even solved and I don't want to take the plan back to this shop and lose it a couple weeks in the best weeks of the year coming up. Courage!

Amen brother on ownership issues....

I coordinated with my AI and did my annuals at the end of the month for several years. Owner assisted we stared at the end of the month , finished in the early part of the next month. This over a few years moved to date of annuals later in the year from cold winter months to warmer weather. ( unheated hanger) now it’s nicer early summer weather for the annual.

I am learning that aviation can be a patience tester for sure. Especially when you are waiting for parts or other people. Another solid video Raul.

Raul, I feel your pain. You will see a video very soon with huge news.. I am now an owner as well! I bought Uncles Steves airplane, a 1963 Cessna Skylark 175c with the continental GO-300. I am blessed enough to have him as a mentor as he is an A&P. To that end I do not have to rely on a 3rd party to annual my airplane. I also am blessed to have a hangar neighbor who is has IA. My long term plan is to earn my A&P so I can perform the annual inspection myself.

Thank you for sharing your experience 🙏

Awesome info as always

Thanks for sharing, good luck with your challenge - I’m sure you will sort it out. I feel your pain being an Old aircraft jet engine maintainer/manager for 30 odd years. Again, welcome to Kentucky. By way, your co-pilot doing good on radio.😊

Very understandable about not giving that “company” you six. We had trouble finding a reliable shop as well but struck gold with our current guy at KLZU. He’s a busy shop but, he always finds a few minutes to talk “shop” or suggestions for corrective actions to keep our Cherokee 180 in a very high state / condition. Plus his shop is about 100’ from our hanger! Anyway - I believe you will find that right fix at your new (2nd) home base. You seem to be that kind of guy to resolve this in no time. Take care and best to your family. Scott

Enjoyed the video. My plane is going into annual this month and I’m already dreading being without a plane. Hope everything turns out ok for your Saratoga.

Great content as usual🔥

Ha, as I watch your video eagerly awaiting my plane to come out of annual. I beat you at least my parts did show up.

I'm heading into Month #2 of the Annual Inspection of my Decathlon. Needed to attend to a few things, nothing serious, but still awaiting parts delivery. Early into the process, the Director of Maintenance advised that the fastener holes on the lower engine cowl were severely out of round. Three remedies: 1- replace lower cowl, painting required, 2- the shop would have to put in more time repairing the cowl than the cost of a new one, and, 3- I could take a whack at repairing the cowl. I went with Option #3! I'm no composite pro, but have more than average DIY experience with fiberglass. I made the repairs, at my shop at home. My mechanic was satisfied with my work, and he signed off on it. I probably put in 20-25 hours in repair time, but I work slow. I'm proud to have put in the sweat equity. I feel a little bit more connected with my airplane. I'm happy that I established a bit of street cred with my mechanic, and show my skills! I fully understand your frustration with your Saratoga. A parts delay is frustrating, although a frustration on OUR shoulders to deal with. Getting lied to? That's another level, and I don't blame you for not wanting to give that outfit any more of your business. THEY took away trust.

I feel your pain. My alternator belt just failed after about 10 hours. I made it into one of your videos, I was flying on the same frequency and got changed, I am Cherokee 665. We went down to Sun N Burn in Florida. If you need help I can recommend a few wrenches, if you need a ride, I am just an hour flight away.

New sub. Enjoyed the ride and chat

The shop I use is on my home base. I go in and do donkey work for them and keep things moving as best I can. Owner assist. I am now thinking of getting my helicopter ppl and buying an R44 with the Six and my shorter missions I’d fly the helicopter. I’m not retired but I set my own schedule and can do whatever I want basically.

Just discovered your channel. I have always loved flying but could never get my lic due to being severely color blind (Red & Green) I am not to far from you guys, here in C ROCK. I look forward to watching your adventure. Stay safe and good luck with the search for the new mechanic.

One more thought about the delay, Tell the shop that these planes are a business and are they willing to cover the cost of down time??? Or charge then a percentage of the losses!

I feel like I know you and your family and your airplanes. I am truly sorry that you have concerns about the techs and the company performing the annual on the Saratoga. I have been there on a smaller scale with auto repairs. Once the plane is torn down and the part removed…you are at their mercy…I sense that you like to be in control as much as possible as we all do….this feeling of being at their mercy is not a good one. I pray you get it all straightened out and decide not to use this same firm for your annual in the future. Keep up the great videos, I enjoy them and be safe! My best to you and your family.

Raul do an annual assist with an IA. I did that with my Malibu. I found a bunch of things they missed back in 2021 annual. Fuel pump overhauls don’t take that long. We had one replaced exchanged in one week.

Thanks for posting again, you have become my favorite channel. I’d like to pick your brain. You have a 6 and a Saratoga. I have been looking for a Cherokee 6 because of its payload versus the Saratoga. However I have stumbled on a conventional tail lance. I have compared specs but would value your opinion as to the payload of 6 vs Lance. I prefer not to have a t tail. Do you have an opinion?

Javier sounds good on the radio

how are you getting audio from the headset to the video?

Raul I hate to say this, but welcome to the post COVID supply chain issue. Now that is not an excuse for the vendor to lie to you and tell you two different stories. I have found if you are up front and honest, the customer may not be happy but they will at least be informed and most likely come back for more work. I am a aircraft mechanic by trade and I have seen this part issue across all faucets of aviation manufacturers (some worse then others) but someday I hope the COVID excuse/cause is gone. I like John's suggestion of seeing if your son would like to learn to be an A&P, it can be a very good career, it has kept food on my table for 30+ years! I'm sure you will find a good mechanic in the mean time that is fairly close, its just finding one who has an opening in his or her schedule and one that you like personality/skill wise. I would suggest if you can make it happen do one of your annuals early, try to get your airplanes 6 months apart if possible. this will allow for overruns if it is a parts or schedule conflict issue and gives you a bit of a buffer, I wish you were closer as I would help you out, but Fort Worth is a bit of a distance. Well good luck and keep the great content coming and be SAFE out there.

Can pm me the shop your talking about ?

~3 months for our annual…… Just did a test flight the other day!!!!

Are they out of annual yet?

I find it odd this kind of vid is on a site with Cat puke vids. Air Craft ANYTHING is only for the wealthy and connected.