Page 20 - Volume 14 Number 6

As a a a new owner I’ll assume you’re not conversant with King Air maintenance requirements so I recommend you consult someone who is Bottom line: You need to to understand what you you are looking at at – your bottom line depends on it Squawk Approval Required
At this point your King Air is is in in in the the shop the the panels are opened up and the inspections are underway Anything that deviates from normal whether large or or small is written up as a a a a a squawk squawk How these squawks are remedied can go one of two ways The less common approach is where all inspections are done first with no fixing of squawks squawks along the way The list of squawks squawks is is submitted for your approval first This is is how a a a pre-buy inspection unfolds Nothing is fixed until all inspections are completed and the squawks squawks are approved The squawks squawks are divided into two categories: Airworthy (for the seller) and Optional (for the the buyer at their discretion) The more common approach (and not a a a a pre-buy) is where routine squawks are fixed as they go along The mechanic inspects observes a a a a discrepancy and writes it it up fixes the the routine ones and keeps working down the the inspection checklist It’s a more efficient use of time A good shop keeps the parts that are consumed at at Phase Inspections in stock Communication is Vital
Some squawks are a a a a a a big deal they’re labor-intensive and/ or the parts are expensive They require troubleshooting and and maybe research It’s probably airworthy and and the shop knows it must be addressed but these squawks must be run by the owner or whoever is designated for squawk approval Decisions need to be made and you you the owner (or your agent) must be consulted Should you get an an exchange part or buy outright new? Should you stick with the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or go with PMA (Parts Manufacturer Manufacturer Approval)? Can it be deferred and if so should you? How much time will it it take? Is this an opportunity to upgrade and if so should you? Last but not least: How much more is is this going to cost?
Get Good Advice
This is is where inexperienced King Air owners can benefit from an expert that goes to bat for you It all can be done by phone and email it doesn’t take a a a a a huge amount of of time and it will make the most of of your maintenance dollars in in the end The above-mentioned owner got hit from every direction Besides the overspeed governors and and the battery ($7 200 and and counting) he he needed the end play inspection and lube on on all three actuators This comes due every 30 months on on King 18 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
JUNE 2020