N194SP squawks

This is what I know isn’t perfect about this aircraft. If you rent my aircraft, I welcome comments! Also, I’ll list prices with labor included when I can, so that folks can get an idea of what ownership of a leaseback aircraft is like.

(This is not the official spot for squawks, as that’s with West Valley log books. This is just my listing and explanation so you have an idea of what’s up with the plane!)

  1. The seat back adjustment is locked in place. AD 2007-05-10 was complied with by a previous owner by installing a steel rod instead of the upgraded parts. It’s perfectly legal and very safe, but the seat back doesn’t recline as a result. Modification kit MK172-25-10C1, with the upgraded parts, is currently $2,335 and 5 hours labor to install per seat. Not a single person has complained all year, so I’m holding off on this expensive change.

Things that have been fixed:

2021
May
  • Battery was swapped for $110.
  • Cowl mounts were repaired for $250.
April
  • Static wick was replaced for $180.
  • Tailstrike results in replacing the rear tie down and skid plate. Paid for by renter who caused the tailstrike, $450.
March
  • Nose wheel tire and tube were replaced for $450.
  • Air filter was replaced for $200.
  • Various adjustments (rudder trim, cabin heat, fuel drains) for $100.
  • Battery was serviced for $110.
February
  • Right main tire and tube were replaced for $450.
  • Right brake was relined for $150.
January
  • Some rivets in the cowling broke and were replaced for $110.
  • Tach failed under warranty, but $110 in labor to swap it.
2020
December
  • Elevator static wick was replaced for $175.
  • Battery was serviced for $210.
  • Left main brake lining was replaced for $140.
  • Tach cable was replaced for $450.
November
  • Elevator bonding strap was replaced for $110.
October
  • Tachometer started reading incorrectly and was replaced for $1160.
September
  • The beacon bulb was replaced for $270.
August
  • Door stop failed and was replaced for $180.
  • Main tire and tube were replaced for $380.
  • American Propeller overhauled the propeller due to hub corrosion for $2220.
July
  • Oil door latch failed and was replaced for $290.
  • Fuel pump switch failed and was replaced for $250.
June
  • COM2 had a tuning knob go bad and was cleaned for $370. Done outside by LAC.
  • The G5 magnetometer was swung due to the G5 showing errors for $220. Done outside by LAC.
  • The G5 firmware was updated for $360. This crazy high charge is being disputed. Done outside by LAC.
May
  • Pitot tube was cleaned and inspected due to fluctuations for $105.
  • Stall horn reed was replaced for $215.
March
  • Torque links were secured after a renter complained of shimmy. $120
February
  • Dipstick O-ring was replaced for $50.
  • Member squawks were researched with no issues found. $100.
  • A sharp edge was removed from the tail. $100
  • Nose strut was serviced. $150
  • Landing light switch failed closed and was replaced for $150.
  • The ELT battery was replaced for $200.
January
  • Visor was repaired for $30.
  • #3 exhaust gasket failed and was replaced for $200.
  • The ELT switch was replaced after a failure. $600 was spent here, but $150 was refunded due to the poor decision to service a 121.5MHz ELT.
2019
December
  • Tube leak was found and replaced for $280.
  • Due to an incident in another plane, all club aircraft were equipped with fuel stops on the fuel dipsticks. $8
November
  • #3 valve cover gasket was leaking as was replaced for $100.
  • Left main tire was replaced for $250.
  • Left brake lining was replaced for $100.
  • Battery was serviced at $100.
  • Air vent was repaired for $200.
  • Failed camlock from before had rivets replaced for another $100.
  • Gascolator was serviced for $100.
  • Magneto SB 622A affected this plane. It was complied with for $1200.
October
  • Oil pressure switch failed and was replaced for $385.
  • Towbar was broken by a renter and replaced for $100.
September
  • A camlock needed fixing in the cowl. $30
  • Copilot headset jack needed repair for $75.
  • The tail skid and tiedown was scraped. It cost $380, but was paid for by the renter.
August
  • A screw fell out of the sun visor. $15
  • New main tire needed, $220.
  • Brake linings were also replaced for $250.
  • Nose tire and tube were replaced for $550.
  • A window spring broke and was replaced for $170.
  • The airworthiness certificate was replaced due to a faded signature. The local SJC FSDO replaced it for free.
July
  • A broken p-lead ran $100 to repair.
  • Yet another alternator. $1200, and this has been the end of the electrical gremlins.
June
  • The alternator control unit was replaced, chasing a charging problem. That went for $1050.
  • One gas cap and chain were lost by a member. They paid $250 to replace them.
  • A tire needed air. $25
May
  • Two cowl mounts were found to be broken. $200.
  • Left p-lead was found to be broken and a new one was created for $50.
  • Some electrical weirdness continued, so the alternator contacts were cleaned for $100.
  • The left magneto had a coil failure. This was replaced and both were overhauled for $1500.
April
  • The handheld microphone was found to be defective. Replaced for $180.
  • The pilot’s side window prop needed repair. $55.
  • The alternator contactor went intermittent and was replaced for $350.
February
  • An apparent ignition issue was determined to be not an issue, but cost $125 to check.
  • Nose strut needed nitrogen for $50.
  • Cowling fastener failed and was replaced for $50.
January
  • Someone thought there was something wrong with the brakes. There wasn’t, but inspection was $50.
  • The front two cylinders showed extremely low compression. They were replaced with overhauled for $4,050.
  • Nose strut needed nitrogen to the tune of $50.
  • Engine air filter was replaced for $160.
  • A broken camlock was replaced for $40.
  • The left side door stop was replaced for $150.
2018
December
  • Purchased but not yet installed are replacement door locksets for $280.
  • Switch for the beacon failed and was replaced for $235.
  • Taxi light burned out and was replaced for $130.
  • The electrical bus was damaged when the beacon switch was replaced. $400 fixed that, but it was paid by WVFC, as this was their mistake.
November
  • The starting battery eventually failed and was replaced for $815.
  • The propeller was dressed for $50.
  • Cabin heat controls were lubed for $25.
  • The rear tie-down ring was tightened for $25.
  • The battery was serviced and charged for $100.
October
  • Left tire and tube were replaced for $400.
  • Brakes were relined for $300.
  • Right mag timing was adjusted for $100.
September
  • Left wing tip damaged in collision last month replaced. $1100, but charged to renter.
  • Nav lights were replaced with LED bulbs. $380
  • Cowl fastener fixed for $50.
  • Mixture cable was replaced for $900.
  • Idle mixture was adjusted for $100.
  • Front strut was serviced for $50.
August
  • Nose tire tube failed and was replaced for $270.
  • Altimeter wouldn’t make calibration and was replaced. $1500 going to Pacific Coast Avionics.
  • Static system leaks corrected for $380 by Pacific Coast Avionics.
July
  • Several small issue were cleared up for $50.
  • Passenger-side push-to-talk switch was replaced for $100.
June
  • The seat rails were lubed for $50.
  • The nose strut was serviced for $100.
May
  • A magneto P-lead broke and was repaired for $100.
April
  • A new fuel gauge was installed. An Aerospace Logic FL202D replaced the failed stock one and the CiES fuel senders purchased earlier ($800) were installed. Rossi Aircraft did the work. 22 hours labor along with the new gauge ran $3,800.
  • New muffler as a result of AD 2018-02-04. $1200.
  • New Aerospace Logic fuel gauge and CiES senders due to the needle falling off the stock gauge. Total cost on the way, but at least $2000 in parts.
February
  • The attitude indicator was overhauled for $1100.
  • The ELT battery was replaced for $130.
  • A new right main tire was installed for $300.
  • $100 put in a new left elevator ground strap.
  • Cowl screw was replaced.
  • An overhauled #1 cylinder was needed. $2400.
January
  • The nose strut was running a little low. $90 in labor to fix that.
  • The left magneto failed. This was not fun as it stranded the plane and cost $2550.
2017
November
  • The NAVCOM1 KX155A radio had a failing display. That was replaced by Aerial Avionics for $1700.
  • The clock/temp/volts gauge failed. $600 later it was replaced at Aerial.
  • It was time for a new front tire. $250.
October
  • A camlock on the nose was replaced. $10
  • A missing trim screw was replaced for $25.
  • The roll servo for the autopilot was overhauled by Aerial Avionics for $2250.
  • New CO sensor went in for $12.
September
  • A crack in the stabilizer fairing was stop-drilled for $25.
August
  • The nose strut needed nitrogen for $100.
  • For $25, the air vents were checked.
  • The landing gear were serviced for $70.
  • $315 replaced the left main tire.
  • The brakes were relined for $250.
July
  • A new pitot tube cover ran $30.
  • A missing trim screw ran $100.
June
  • The tail light burned out. $100 to have that replaced.
  • One of the vacuum pumps wore out, so $750 fixed that.
  • Some paint was thrown on the tail to stops the squawks. $270.
  • The propeller was dressed for $45.
  • The right-hand fuel sender was replaced with a new Cessna part for $1000.
May
  • Cies fuel senders were purchased, but not installed. $800.
  • The left elevator grounding strap was repaired for $90.
April
  • The vacuum system filter was replaced for $125.
  • Carpet that was coming up was re-glued for $100.
  • The brake system was bled for $100.
  • The left window spring broke, and was replaced for $100.
  • Four spark plugs needed replacement for $150 in parts. Note that this was done during the 100-hour inspection, so there was no additional labor charge.
  • The beacon burned out to the tune of $145.
  • A tire was repaired for $70.
  • The right-hand fuel gauge connections were cleaned for $25.
  • A nosewheel shimmy was fixed for $90.
March
  • A nose gear shimmy developed, which was fixed for $90.
  • A new CO monitor and oil funnel were placed in the plane for $45.
  • The right fuel gauge connections needed some cleanup. $45.
  • The baggage door latch had begun to fail. It was replaced for $350.
February
  • The alternator control unit had issues and was replaced for $900.
  • The strobe light switch failed and was replaced. The switch was $60.
  • The headset jacks in the front were repaired.
  • The MFD was checked and the self-test error was verified. Total labor for the above three items was done at Peninsula Avionics and was $325.
  • There is a little hangar rash on the elevator. It’s been there from the start and is just fine for flight, but it was getting squawked. I had it painted to quiet the squawks for $135.
January
  • The right tube and tire were replaced due to the tube’s valve stem shearing off during a landing. $330 and a mechanic’s and CFI’s trip to KHAF fixed that.
2016
December
  • The mic jacks were clean and repaired for $25.
  • The rudder trim was adjusted for $25.
November

In this month, I moved the plane to West Valley Flying Club. Unless otherwise noted, their maintenance shop is doing the work.

  • The left tire was found to be flatspotted so it was replaced for $280.
  • The brake linings were worn out, so those were replaced for about $235.
  • The spark plugs and points were found to be worn, and were replaced for $360.
October
  • The tow bar cracked. I bought a new one for $75.
  • Idle speed and mixture were adjusted. $55 in labor.
  • The CDI cannon plug fell out. $55 to plug it back in.
September
  • The alternator failed again. Fortunately, it was under warranty and cost nothing directly to replace. I did have to eat 0.8 hours that were not charged to the renter due to the failure.
  • The oil filler tube loosened up. $22 and a little cleaning, and it was fixed.
  • Cowl mountings wore out and cracked. $500 fixed those.
  • The nose strut need some nitrogen. $22.
  • The tow bar got loose. $11 to tighten.
August
  • The turn coordinator was replaced again under warranty. Though the part was covered, $200 went into the labor.
  • The glideslope was not functioning. $275 got it working again.
July
  • Multiple pilot squawks were cleaned up. Some carpet had come loose. A fuel cap chain had come undone. Seat rails were lubed. A tilt in the AI was corrected. Co-pilot headset jacks were cleaned. Alternator belt was tightened. Tail skid was tightened. Yet another static wick was replaced. $250 made that all happen.
  • The pilot’s door latch was fixed, finally. New springs, tightening down the lock, and some striker plate adjustments should make for a much better operating pilot’s door. $300, which was mostly labor.
  • The right-hand fuel sender went intermittent. Paul Malkasian of Instrument Rebuild rebuilt the sender, which was $400. Add $240 in labor and that ran $640.
  • The co-pilot’s seat height adjuster wore out. Owing to Cessna’s ludicrous pricing, a nut and screw were replaced for $550.
  • A broken cowl bracket was fixed for $230.
  • Two broken cowl shock mounts were replaced for $150.
  • Aging fuel hoses were replaced for $250.
  • Cheapest repair! Missing rocker cover screw. $1!
  • The pilot’s window hinge was wearing out. New rivets for $240.
  • The pilot’s door hinge pins were worn and broken. Replaced for $100.
  • Again, a nose gear bearing was damaged. $170.
June
  • The turn coordinator from last month turned out to be broken out of the box and was slow to spin up. This required an hour of labor to replace and also to be sent over to the avionics shop to reset the autopilot. $380 paid for the labor and freight to swap the warranty repair.
  • The alternator failed. That and the noise filter were replaced for $850.
  • The compass was noted as needing another swing. $170.
May
  • The alternator belt frayed. $265 later, a new belt.
  • Another static wick broke off. $75 put a new one on.
  • The bonding strap that electrically bonds the elevator to the plane body broke. There was also some corrosion at the attachment point. The area was cleaned up, protected, and a new strap went on for $145.
  • The left-hand gas cap washer failed. $15 put in a new gasket.
April
  • The propeller was balanced. It was a little out, starting at 0.3 ips and being balanced to better than 0.1 ips. $220 of labor.
  • Now that the autopilot cables are tight again, it was time to adjust the heading bug to match actual autopilot heading. Aerial Avionics did that service for $115.
  • The turn coordinator reached the end of its life, as all things with spinning gyros do. $850 allowed a rebuilt unit to slide into the panel.
March
  • The front seats are fixed! Jack Purdue of Recovery Upholstery in Jackson, CA replaced the inserts in both front seats with supple, perforated leather. A very reasonable $800 later, they are now in the plane.
  • A new CO detector was pasted to the panel. $5.
  • A worn fuel line clamp was replaced for $70.
  • Upper cowl spacers weren’t quite right. $22 labor to move them.
  • The flap detent cover was worn down and lacked the second detent. A new cover and installation was $325.
  • The attitude indicator began to show serious signs of wear. $1150 put an overhauled replacement into the same spot.
  • The right-hand fuel cap chain was installed for $22. (It had been purchased previously.)
  • The left-hand fuel cap seal leaked a little water. Replaced for $70.
  • Two spark plug baffle buttons were missing. The block the holes in the baffle that allow access to the spark plugs. $25.
  • The baffle springs weren’t in the right spot. $80 to move them.
  • The #3 and #4 induction tubes were leaking a little. $550 got two new tubes, 3 hours of labor, and rental of the special tool to install them.
  • The aileron cables were out of rig. $225 of labor set them right.
  • The autopilot cables were loose. $60 fixed that.
  • The flap cable tensions were wrong. $110 to adjust.
  • The elevator cables were out of rig. $115.
  • The magnetos were overly advanced. Reseting the timing ran $115.
  • The starter wire and the baffles intersected each other. $55 trimmed to baffle to avoid wearing down the starter wire.
  • The ground strap was at the end of its life. $115 replaced that.
  • COM1 had its connections cleaned. This will hopefully fix the weak signals on COM1. An hour of labor at $110.
  • An oil return line had been damaged at some point. $65 replaced that.
February
  • A new PAI-700 Vertical Card Compass has been installed! The parts ran $350, and the labor, including swinging the compass, was $320.
  • The heading bug and what the autopilot thinks the heading bug is should match.
  • The control lock placard was replaced to the tune of $75.
  • CDI and GPS stopped talking, but that was fixed. It was due to a unseated GPS unit and seating that unit ended up costing $80.
January
  • The right tire was found to be flat-spotted in the same incident that took out the left. Replaced the tire for about $300. (The renter/insurance/school ended up taking this cost.)
  • I cleaned and conditioned the seats.
  • The windshield sun shield apparently was causing some scratches. The club gave me one they like to replace the one that came with the plane when I bought it.
  • A new compass card to replace the illegible old one was $2.
  • The flatspotted right tire was replaced for $240.
  • The right wheel bearing was also worn. Replaced for $120.
  • The pedestal lamp burned out. $24 with labor.
  • The AI needed leveling. $22 in labor.
  • The nose wheel bearings also needed replacement. $455 for that.
2015
December
  • The co-pilot’s seat height adjustment was fixed by lubing the nut. $22 in labor.
  • The landing light burned out and was replaced with a Whelen Parmetheus Plus LED landing light for $375.
  • The left tire was flatspotted flat due to a pilot locking the brakes. When it was apart for replacement, the bearing was also found to be dry and worn. New tire, tube, and bearing. $590, including labor. (The renter/insurance/school ended up taking this cost.)
  • The fuel cap chains were replaced for $45.
  • I adjusted the trim tab, so it shouldn’t fly crooked in cruise anymore. Took me one hour of Hobbs and three landing to get it right.
  • I polished the windshield, but found some of the scratches on the inside are pretty deep. So, better, not ideal.
November

This is the start of my ownership of the aircraft. It is being maintained primarily by Trade Winds Aviation. I’ll note when work was done by other shops.

  • A bad fuel injector was found. It and the line connected to it needed replacement (AD 2015-19-07). All told, that was $810, which included a compression check for diagnostics.
  • KLN 94 had a bad display when purchased. Bought a used KLN 94 for parts, as the display is not made anymore. ($2000)
  • The brake fairings needed some screws. $22.
  • The avionics bus 2 switch was intermittent. The entire split switch was replaced for $75.
  • A couple interior screws were missing from the ceiling and Rosen visor. Replaced for $10.
  • A static wick broke off. That was $75 to replace.
  • The upper engine cowling needed some shims to stop rubbing on the body.
  • The upper engine cowling had two broken fasteners. Those were replaced for $60.
  • A co-pilot interior vent fell out. $210 parts and labor.