Cessna 172 Maintenance Planning

Before beginning an aircraft upgrade, there are a few parameters to address before laying wrenches on bolt heads.

Thursday, May 04, 2023 at 01:54 PM ET

Verified

Upgrades for aircraft can be expensive and can also mean downtime for your airplane. An important question to answer is, what do you want to have done? [Credit: Elijah Lisyany]

Key Takeaways:

Aircraft owners commonly pursue "continuous improvement" through upgrades, and applying project management principles like the "Iron Triangle" (Time, Scope, Cost) is crucial for successful planning.
Effective upgrade planning involves carefully considering all aspects of time (e.g., parts lead time, downtime), scope (e.g., tooling, technical publications), and cost (e.g., parts, labor).
Whether for maintenance, avionics modernization, or aesthetic improvements, all aircraft upgrades require thorough research, compliance with certifications (STC, FAA-PMA), and adherence to airworthiness standards.

See a mistake? Contact us.

There is a common thread among every aircraft owner I have ever known. One trait that sets them apart and is so ingrained they will stop at nothing to tell you all about it. A syndrome I call “continuous improvement, aero edition.”

Upgrades for aircraft can be expensive and can also mean downtime for your airplane. An important question to answer is, what do you want to have done?