Bill, I'm with you on sending Caulkins a letter about the things you found. However, to reply to such a letter and apologize for anything that might have been missed would indicate an admission of guilt. The reply may be used against the shop later. Don't be surprised if you get no reply at all. Or, in the off chance you do get a reply, expect them to stand their ground and state that the aircraft was inspected in accordance with the applicable Cessna maintenance manual, the appropriate Lycoming Owners manual, and all available data pertaining to the modifications installed on your plane. To do otherwise would be legal suicide.
Very good, Gary! Very very good! Much more effective then my "Screw the FAA!!!"
Again Gary, you and I are thinking alike. I really had no expectations of a response. I just wanted to let them know what type of work ended up coming out of their shop. If the powers to be were aware of this, so be it. If they were not, now they have a heads up. If I had any intentions of creating problems for them, I would have done so when you and I recognized the motor mount problem when you delivered Mr. Ed. I am not perfect so how can I hold anybody else to be? Or, maybe it is because I hold an A&P license myself and understand the vulnerabilities! Even so, with the number of descrepancies found, I also felt the obligation to let my fellow owners know of my experience with this particular FBO.
I bought an airplane sight unseen. If I was really all that concerned I should have went and inspected the aircraft myself. I feel the same about an owner just taking an aircraft in for maintenance. If he, ir she, is really concerned about how the airplane is maintained, he, or she, should work hand in hand with the mechanic. For those that just drop off the airplane and say, "Fix it!" I am sorry, but..................
