ZK-MAJ

At the beginning of 2022, MAJ was fitted with one of the two engines ordered direct from Lycoming in Pennsylvania. These were ordered and paid for as “Overhauled” engines however, due to the very good relationship ARGUS Aviation at Motueka has with Lycoming, these two engines were constructed and delivered as zero time “Factory Rebuilt” engines. These engines are like new. They have a zero time since new and a zero time since major overhaul. This is a significant bonus.

Unfortunately, due to a communications breakdown, both engines as delivered were specified for Cessnas and required the retrofitting of fuel pump drives, at an unbudgeted additional cost of $3,310 per engine, and at a delay of three months.

In September significant effort was put into running-in MAJ’s engine properly.

In October MAJ had its initial avionics upgrade of a Garmin GTX335W ADS/B Out and In Transponder and a Garmin Aero 660 VFR GPS Navigator display.

MAJ still requires a complete paint strip and repaint in the WASSI scheme, but both time and financial constraints did not allow this to be achieved in 2022. It is hoped to be able to complete MAJ’s repaint and other restoration aspects, such as the remaining avionics upgrade and internal refurbishment in the latter part of 2023.

MAJ is now being leased by Mid-Canterbury Aeroclub.

In the calendar year 2022, $45,501 was invested in MAJ. Bringing the total investment to date in this aircraft to $199,458.