There are a series of steps you should take before sending your aircraft in for an aircraft cylinder overhaul to ensure that you experience optimal results. Industry experts recommend that engine maintenance and overhaul preparation should include:
Aircraft Maintenance Planning
Planning is the first stage of any maintenance and is most assuredly vital for aircraft maintenance. It may sound excessive; but, if you can, it makes good sense to begin planning for your aircraft maintenance and repair approximately a year in advance.
This will provide you with enough cushion to comfortably budget for whatever maintenance and repairs you may need and enable you to put a proactive plan in place which allows for adequate lead times for part availability. It also allows for ample time to obtain maintenance and repair quotes and to schedule your actual service. Additionally, it will provide you with the flexibility you may need to make adjustments for any increase in flight hours.
Speaking of hours, your logged hours can also help you determine timing for your aircraft maintenance and repair scheduling. With a thorough review of your logbook, you can plan and schedule more effectively based on engine hours to date, your latest aircraft inspection, maintenance and overhaul details and dates.
In addition, manufacturer specs will play a vital role in your aircraft maintenance and repair timing. You may also want to consider what works best for you as far as downtime (when and how much) and whether or not you want to combine other upgrades and repairs with regular maintenance for convenience and expedience.
Choosing the Right Aircraft Cylinder Overhaul for You
When it comes, specifically, to aircraft engine overhauls, all aircraft engines have manufacturer recommended specifications, with most piston engines requiring overhauling at 12 years or 1200 to 2500 hours.
However, you should be aware that there are different types of aircraft engine overhauls. For instance, a service limit overhaul does exactly what it says. It gets your engine back to serviceable limits. This is barebones and not usually recommended. If you are going to spend the time and money for an aircraft cylinder overhaul, you want to do it right so that it doesn’t cost you more money and time in the long-run. In addition, there are different aircraft engine overhauls for new engines vs. factory rebuilds.
You can also take your aircraft cylinder overhaul to the next level with special options like nickel plating for added protection against rust and corrosion – which is an especially excellent upgrade for planes that might sit a bit from time to time.
A good aircraft cylinder overhaul mechanic can walk you through all your options, which brings us to one of the most crucial parts of your preparation process…
Finding the Best Aircraft Cylinder Overhaul Shop
Moore Performance Products is a trusted aircraft service provider with an excellent reputation and a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. Family owned and operated since 1995, Moore Performance Products ensures that its customers receive exceptional service, attention to detail, an unsurpassed commitment to high quality products and the ultimate in customer satisfaction.
The Moore Performance Products aircraft service professionals specialize in aircraft cylinder overhauls and repairs. Having provided a variety of overhaul services nationwide and overseas for the aircraft and aerospace industries, they are uniquely qualified with aircraft cylinder repair knowledge and experience to expertly handle your aircraft cylinder repair and any other aircraft maintenance and repairs you may require. Moore Performance Products is also an FAA-certified repair station and FAA-certified in welding.
Questions You Should Ask About Your Aircraft Cylinder Overhaul Quote
Once you are comfortable with a trusted, experience shop for your aircraft maintenance and repair, remember to address the following in regard to your quote:
Ask about your warranty, as aircraft cylinder overhauls and other repairs and replacement parts are likely to have a warranty of some kind.
Overhauling aircraft cylinders can be less expensive than replacing your old cylinders with new. So, you will need to determine which option is best for you. If you do decide to buy new, make certain to ask if there are additional shipping costs for those cylinders. In fact, you should always inquire about replacement part costs as well as the cost to ship them.
Address contingencies and how they would be handled as well as the associated costs for any that may occur.
Also make certain that your tax is calculated when you are quoted – not after.
Be sure to ask what maintenance and repairs are handled in-house – at your shop of choice – as opposed to being outsourced. Shops, such as Moore Performance Products, perform their own aircraft cylinder overhauls, so there is no upcharge for outsourcing as with some aircraft mechanics.
Moore Performance Products is conveniently located at 132 W. Park Avenue, Building 1 in Edgewater, Florida and can be reached by phone by calling 386-409-7501 or 888-409-7555 anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
