Annual

Last evening, Ed called and said, “I was at the airport and saw Path being strip searched.”

Path is currently “In Annual”. This means he’s spending a week with my A&P (aircraft mechanic).
Once a year, all General Aviation aircraft must undergo an Annual Inspection. This is not optional. If the Annual is completed in the month of January, then the following year the inspection must be completed by the end of January or it’s illegal to fly the plane.

During this time, his seats are removed, and floor carpeting taken out so that inspection ports in the floor can be accessed. Similar ports in the wings will be opened. The Cowl (hood) will be removed to facilitate engine area checks which include spark plugs, oil, starter and compression tests. Each and every moving part of the plane is examined, including the wires that connect flight controls inside the cockpit to the flight surfaces they operate.

Each model of airplane has a specific list of items that need to be scrutinized, tested and replaced or repaired at set intervals. There are a number of log books that belong to the plane. One each for the engine, prop and airframe into which the A&P makes entries as to the exact work completed. These logs are kept and are passed on to each owner so a complete history of the airplane is available. Path is over 40 years old and I own his logs for this entire time.

Expertise, time, and parts do not come cheaply. An A&P does not simply hang up a sign and start working on planes. They have years of training and must be certified. Of course, I consider it money well-spent for two reasons. One, it’s the law. Two, a well maintained plane is a safe plane. It’s painful to the pocketbook but soothing to the peace of mind.