Maintaining an airplane is expensive, regardless of its age. We want the aircraft we fly to be in good working order, because if you experience a problem, you can’t pull over to the nearest cloud and park for service. Our lives depend partially on the condition of the machines we fly. In addition, government regulations regarding maintenance schedules and annual inspections must be complied with. It’s often said that an airplane is maintained at a higher level than the cars and trucks we drive daily, which is true. Because most general aviation aircraft are certified, that translates into significantly higher parts costs.
Unfortunately a lot has changed over the years. Gone are the days where there were aircraft dealers aplenty, proudly displaying the airplanes they sold with signs that read Cessna, Piper, or Beechcraft. Sales and service were brisk enough that usually you’d find several A&P mechanics at each dealer, with many specialized to a certain make and model of airplane. At most airports today fortunate enough to have an airport manager or shop, you may find one mechanic. And often, they are a generalist.
If you’re a pilot, I believe that you must have a basic knowledge of aircraft components and systems. When