What I've Learned

Part 3: What I've Learned

Since my original post, what I found out was that this shop lost all the A&P's that they had just a couple years ago (same owners though) and the one they have now just didn't meet my expectations for attention to detail and did not refer to the maintenance manuals that the shop provides for him as often as I would have hoped (as in the case of the dorsal fin removal). As I recall, one of my responses to a private e-mail sent after my original post included the phrase "You can lead an A&P to the Grumman manual, but you can't make him read it" and to me that seems to sum it up.

I'm now using another mechanic am much happier with their performance. Although they have more experience with those C model aircraft, they appear to me to be much more detail oriented and capable than the first shop (I interviewed the owner and the head mechanic for about an hour each). They have fixed many of the problems caused by the first annual and have not caused any additional ones (definitely a step in the right direction).

Here's what I've learned from this experience:

Do your homework. I can't emphasize this enough. If you are reading this, you are probably well on your way to doing that. Find out what to expect from a pre-buy or annual inspection (get the checklists from the maintenance manual, etc). Interview potential mechanics and get references. Talk to other pilots in your area.

Find a "good" mechanic. Choose a detail-oriented mechanic. A good mechanic that doesn't have as much experience with Grummans is much better than the inverse. Beware of high turn-over rates of mechanics at a given shop (seeing lots of new faces and no old ones at your favorite shop?)

Be an active participant in your airplane care. Be there for pre-purchase inspections, annuals, etc. Using that homework you can follow along with the mechanic and ask questions. If your mechanic will allow, "owner-assist" on the work. One of the mistakes I made during the annual was that I was not there the entire time. Until you are intimately comfortable with the mechanics work, be there.

If it doesn't "feel right" it probably isn't. Be it the mechanic, a problem with the plane, an explanation, etc. My "normal brake noise" after installation of new brakes & rotors ended up being a mis-installed wheel fairing. Go with your gut instincts.

Know where to go to get answers. The Grumman gang mailing list is an excellent resource and monitored by some very savvy A&P's. The folks at FletchAir, and this site are all good references.

Learn from your experiences. I know it's kinda obvious, but it needs to be said. Adding a fuel line pressurization check to my pre-flight checklist, for example.

Well, I hope that this story has been helpful. Take care and safe and happy flying! --Mike