A&P near Monterey, CA?

[260driver]

Hi y'all. I'm looking for an A&P in the Monterey, CA area to do my annual this year. This is the first annual on my M7-260C since I've owned it and I'd like to do it with someone who won't mind doing it "owner-assisted."

I'm willing to travel a bit to get to the right person who's willing to work with this new owner/operator.

Thanks!

[rjb]

Eric, at Magnum FBO (408) 683-4102, is close to you at E16 and has worked on my MX7-180 C since 2006 - he and Steve are very accommodating and you can do as much or as little owner assistance as you want.

I would recommend that you print off one of the annual checklists on this site to go over with Eric what you want done as the Maule maintenance manual is certainly not overly descriptive.

[260driver]

Thanks rjb, I'll give him a shout.

Anybody else have a recommendation? Any recs, Jeremy?

[noe flightrisk]

Brian Stout owns Flying S Aviation at Reid Hillview, has been doing owner-assisted annuals on my M7-235C since 2006, and signed off on an owner-performed engine removal and re-installation for the Lycoming 540 crankshaft AD compliance. He also represents Eagle engines and props up in Redding. Very sharp, professional, and easy to work with. W 408-258-9462, M 408-867-9901

[maules.com]

Sorry 260driver, I cant think of anyone near you.
I have been seeing so many anualled but not really inspected Maules this last year or two and am not sure why, unless it's the economic climate.
M7-260C takes 16 hours if it has been flown much. Owner assist can reduce that time alot if you know what you are doing and your IA trusts you.

[260driver]

Thanks for the tips. I'll give both guys a call to check schedules, etc...

Jeremy, when you say annualled, but not really inspected, do you mean that guys are just pencil-whipping the annual?

[maules.com]

I dont think it is from a malicious pencil whipping intent.
I think it stems from two mistakes.
1. to be nice to the customer and retain his/her business, the shop tries to save expense for the customer by saving time, thus not fully inspecting everything.
2. the shop and the customer just not being aware of all the possibilities thus not being able to look for them. Unfamiliarity with the make and model.
Another situation might be; a manufacturer may hear about or experience a weak point and write a service bulletin or even just a service letter (as in oleo attach bolts) on it. Unless the airplane is used for pt. 135 ops or commercially, the SB does not HAVE to be accomplished, so some of them slip through the cracks because the shop or owner do not realize how important it is.
If the FAA become aware of and deems important this weak point, it then becomes an AD and becomes mandatory.

[260driver]

What are y'all's thoughts about using a non-Maule specialist for annuals? I've seen Maulemedic's checklist and it seems pretty thorough and the aircraft is simple enough, but...I'm wary about those "Maule idiosyncracies" which may get missed.

[maules.com]

Try calling all the shops at Monterey, Salinas, Watsonville or where you are willing to drive to do owner assist as it may take a few days especially if parts are needed.
Ask each one if they have worked on Maules, how many, and names of owners so you can check with the owners for references.
A full inspection on your Maule will take 16 hours, same as a C182, if nothing is broken.
Let me know where you end up, maybe I can stop by if that way.