Mechanical Rear Cowl. Anyone have? How is it?

[patrolpilot]

Originally Posted by Jhogan0101

Looking to purchase the aviation enterprises mech cowl kit w STC. Does anyone have any experience with these? Good/bad idea?

It seems like a good idea to me. Did you have a motor fail?

I'm considering a couple of STCs during my next annual; that would be the time to do it. It would minimize the downtime of the failed flap motor, and the fuselage is open, reducing the maintenance hours.

With this STC, it seems like if you wait until motor failure, the cost is a roll of the dice as the listed price is for a rebuildable unit. I wish they listed the price without the exchange motors. My consideration has been the actual cost of the STC with working cowl flap motors; what could you sell them for vs. cost of the STC without the core exchange.

I was going to call them to order the Fire Detection Mirrors, mid-week, and will ask about the cost of the Cowl Flap STC without the motor exchange.

[Jhogan0101]

No, the previous owner had a “rigged up” setup using a 172 flap motor. It stopped working on my way back from purchasing the plane. Had my a&p look at it. He removed the whole thing because there was no STC or field approval sign off and he couldn't/wouldn’t figure out how to fix it. So either put back oem system or mech cowl kit.

[patrolpilot]

Originally Posted by Jhogan0101

No, the previous owner had a “rigged up” setup using a 172 flap motor. It stopped working on my way back from purchasing the plane. Had my a&p look at it. He removed the whole thing because there was no STC or field approval sign off and he couldn't/wouldn’t figure out how to fix it. So either put back oem system or mech cowl kit.

I'm going to bet that the OEM motors are cheaper.

I see were Aviation Enterprises has serviceable units for sale. Without the core, it would be $1600 for the rear. The core value is $500; so the mechanical replacement would be $2000.