I think the positive story is that don't be scared of these older legacy jets. Parts are stupid cheap because they are getting parted out, they are brain dead easy to work on. If you can stomach the fuel burn, they represent a great value over a newer jet or legacy piston twin

Michael, are you an A&P? If not, do you have someone sign this stuff or is owner maintenance okay for things like replacing HSIs?

I like to turn a wrench too, but am unsure of the limits of what I am approved to do.

I'm a mechanic but not an A&p so I bring him along for adult supervision

Eerily similar to the song old TRW the IIIrd used to sing

That’s a little harsh.

Not really sure how my thread about what it takes to bring back to life and operate a vintage jet has to do with Thrust Reverser (TRWIII). This airplane is not getting dropped off at the service center for blank check maintenance; that would destroy the entire experience of owning it and would most likely result in it getting parted out. It's going to get hands on maintenance using functional, inspected, yellow tagged, used parts. I'm sure most of us here aren't paying Textron 10X for new beech parts here either; no difference with this airplane. If you don't like that, go away, but please don't compare anything in this thread to TR.

Don’t get me wrong, not trying to draw any parallels. It’s just that he used to say some of the same lines, which are actually fair points.

Tyler is right, TR shared some great stuff about the 501 (I really enjoyed his stories). I think it was his first jet too. I thought the same thing that Tyler wrote but not in any negative way. However if your plane happens to catch fire....

I’m excited for you! I was a little worried about the same things Alex pointed out but after reading more, it seems you are approaching this professionally. The coolest thing about this is you are proving that it is possible and maybe you’ll inspire more folks to take the leap.

The real problem with buying a 501, is its the gateway drug. Its the 172.

After 20 hours in a 550, I have lost all interest in turbo props (at the moment).

Aviation is a sickness! A beautiful, challenging, rewarding SICKNESS!

Congrats MT. Keep posting.

You guys questioning Michael working on his own plane do realize that in many (maybe even the majority) of cases the guys turning the wrenches on your planes are also not A&P's?

Michael has a unique approach.....after carefully reading his posts and approach I don't believe it to be a bad one. Obviously he understands his equipment far better than most and to Erwin's point many times the work being performed is not done by the A&P.

As to the training I perceive Michael to be a very good 'stick' and he understands and pours through maintenance and procedures most probably a lot better than most. Does that make it better/worse from a training perspective? I think it's different. Like Michael I much prefer to learn in the airplane and found the SIM training to be somewhat deficient and I was in a level D sim..........

It's an enjoyable thread to read.........

Michael,

Your approach is legit not that you need validation from me or anyone else. The lack of common sense that exists in the approach to aircraft maintenance and ownership rivals that of big government spending. No one cares cause it's not their money. A friend of mine worked for Beech service center and told me story after story that left us both shaking ours heads. Once example was that no aircraft in for annual left without new plugs. 20 hours? No matter. Plugs in the trash and new ones went in with sizable mark up. As long as owners toss the keys and pay the bills, this won't change and lots of people will thumb their noses at owners who take a more common sense approach to maintenance. Name calling will be prevalent and condescending remarks will flow. Haters gonna hate. Its big business for shops that operate this way and they don't want the word out that it doesn't really have to cost that much. I've encountered owners that actually feel the more they spend, the safer they must be. You have a private jet and are operating it for a lot less than most think possible. You know what you have and you know the downside financial risk but the upside is awesome! The ability and know how to source parts and turn wrenches is an attribute to be admired and respected. WELL DONE!!

Disregard thread creep, but during the lengthy threads about the accused (convicted?), all I could think about was THUNDERSTORMS and THRUST REVERSERS, every time that letter combination was used. I don't know why I had to say this, except that I feel chatty.

Well said.

Just got my RVSM approval. It took me 3 days. I begged the guy (extremely politely) to have it done prior to tomorrow and he made it happen. I just saved a metric ton on fuel for Christmas!