Rudolph,
I can recognize that you letter was written with the same passion with which you desired to make this plane your own. I can sense the bittersweetness of the decision.
Dang, I hate to let it go, but dang, I just can't see that buying it is a good decision.
One thing you said in your letter really punched me in the gut. Since you posted it on the forum, I don't mind addressing it here.
You recommended the current owner to turn their mechanic into the FAA for shoddy work. That makes me very angry when owners decide that if something isn't right, to go run to the feds. Before you blast on me some, I understand that there were a lot of discrepancies on this plane. Keep in mind that what you were given is one shop's opinion. I can almost guarantee you that if I took my 150 to the same shop a King Air goes to, there's no way I could afford the maintenance.
What it looks like to me, granted, from the outside looking in, is that your prospective purchase went through a very detailed inspection. Kudos to you for having that done. I'm sure you're relieved to have not fallen for such a "money pit." What happened, though, is this shop was allowed to judge this plane, and by default, judge the last mechanic to sign it off. Now, you're recommending that the airplane owner turn his mechanic in to the FAA (for bad maintenance, I suppose) without giving this guy a chance to explain his reasons.
Anyone that throws around such verbage as "I'll just call the FAA on him" (That isn't a direct quote from you, but from other conversations)is not welcomed to come into my shop. As airmen, we all live in a glass house. Pilots and mechanics alike. When one group begins to throw the other to the wolves, we will cease to become a cohesive, co-dependent unit and will fall apart, leaving an angry lot with our planes sitting rotten on the ramp.
Due to sheer numbers, there are more pilot infractions daily than maintenance mistakes. Only the most serious mistakes on either party result in death of injury. Good thing there is room for error, though that exposure is continually being minimalized by training and careful attention to the rules and regulations.
Do I think there is a time and place for putting the mechanic's head into the noose and giving the end of the rope to the FAA? Absolutely. You could replace the word "mechanic's" with "pilot's" in the last sentence and also be accurate.
I honestly think very few of us could take our airplanes into the likes of Cutter, MillionAire, or Signature and get a squeaky clean bill of health. I definitely wouldn't throw every mechanic that signed off those planes to the FAA. There are mechanics that have common sense enough to determine if it is safe. Perfect, no. Safe, absolutely. They're certain enough in the safety to sign their livlihood away...That's the chance we as mechanics take every time we sign a logbook.
I can understand your concerns, but I honestly think your decisions rest at "to buy, or not to buy." You've made your decision, and I can't say that I disagree with it at all. It is my perception, from reading what you wrote, that you were very ready to own, you've done your research, and you were prepared to give the right airplane a great home. Please don't be so ready to hang the one you feel is responsible for the sad shape of this plane. We have no idea what actually went on between the owner and mechanic. I'd be willing to bet that, despite the discrepancies noted, that the airplane was in no danger of hurting anybody. After all, it is the responsibility of the aircraft owner/operator to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Ignorance is no defense. Worst case, the offending owner drags his mechanic down with him. See what happens? Nobody wins. Bad deal.
Sorry I've rambled way too long. I know you don't mean any harm, and you may have judged me by now by what I've written. That goes both ways.
I wish you luck in your quest for ownership. It's a great and wonderful thing. I am a helicopter pilot and mechanic, too. I've been to the Robinson Maintenance course in Torrance, got my private ticket in an R-22. I'm also actively engaged in Emergency Medicine. We have a lot of the same interests, INCLUDING helping you find the right plane. We're on the same team. Please don't be so quick to throw the mechanics to the FAA. Honestly, mechanics don't like the FAA either. But there isn't a one of us that doesn't want the chance to make something right when it's wrong...pilots or mechanics.
