Please pardon my bluntness.
First, my airplane is MY responsibility! Not the FAA's. I will take care of my own problems, thank you!
Second!, I would never NEVER create that type of hell for anybody by going to the FAA first. Not without at least first going to the party that I have the problem with and trying to resolve the issue with them.
A mistake was made. The party should be allowed the opportunity to remedy that mistake before involving the FAA! IF people wwould first take responsibility for themselves and their property! And, IF people would talk with each other FIRST, and then only involve the FAA at the last resort, this would be a whole lot easier world to live in!!
Again, please pardon my bluntness?
Well, you paid for the annual,and it's your plane, so I guess you can do whatever you like. Maybe the annual only cost say $400 or so, I can stand to lose that, as I've been burned before. But what if the annual was contingent on you buying the plane? Suppose you found more serious airworthiness descrepancies? That could be thousands of dollars that are then not reflected in the sales price for repairs. How do you expect the shop to remedy the problem to your satisfaction? Refund the annual cost? Pay for repairs? Fire the IA? They're in TX, and you're in OR, so it will be interesting to see the solution.
And what's the differance of you publishing the letter on a public forum rather than contacting the FAA? By your reply to me, you should have already contacted them, worked out a resolution then posted here.
For your information, ever since 9/11 and the downturn in the airlines, there have been hundreds of mechanics seeking employment in GA at smaller FBO's who have YEARS of AC mx experience, but absolutely zero experience on small planes.
I noticed that several members chimed in with their "bad" experiences with maintenance, but who's going to do anything about it if there were no FSDO to keep an eye on things? Does someone have to die or get seriously hurt?
I've seen many bad annuals, but the items you described are basic items to be looked at, especially the mufflers, and any competent shop will remove the shroud to look for cracks, as this could cause CO poisioning and pilot incapacitation.
I don't know where people get the idea that contacting the FAA is like being a rat, snitch or whistle blower. I'd sure hate to have major work done on my plane ( such as my recent engine overhaul) and later on find out all the horror stories. BTW- my engine shop was OK.
Hopefully your situation will be resolved to your satisfaction.
-Brian
