You own a Cessna 172 based at Buttonville, a Piper Cherokee at Lake Simcoe Regional, or a Cirrus SR22 in a hangar near Muskoka. Your annual inspection is due in the next 90 days, and every AMO you call gives you a different number. Some say $1,800.Somesay$3,500. None will put a firm quote in writing.

Here is what an annual inspection actually costs in Canada in 2026. Not a range. Not “it depends.” Real numbers based on actual invoices from Transport Canada Certified AMO #41-21.

Bottom line upfront: A standard annual inspection for a single-engine piston aircraft (Cessna 172, Piper Cherokee) costs $1,800to$2,400 at our facility. A Cirrus SR20 or SR22 costs $2,200to$3,000. These are firm written quotes — not estimates that change after we start.

Real Annual Inspection Costs by Aircraft Type

Prices below are base inspection costs for aircraft with complete logbooks and no known major squawks. These are the prices we quote over the phone before you book.

What “typical total after minor squawks” includes: One or two minor findings such as a sticky magneto switch ($150repair),wornbrakedisc($180 per wheel), one surface corrosion spot ($200treatment),oralandinglightbulbreplacement($45).

What it does not include: Major findings like cylinder replacement ($2,500to$4,000), wing spar corrosion repair ($5,000to$15,000), or engine overhaul ($25,000+).

Mid-content CTA:
The number you actually pay depends on what we find. But you approve every repair in writing before we proceed. No surprise bills. Call 705-687-3300 for a firm quote on your specific aircraft. Or use the form on our contact page.

What Changes the Price of an Annual Inspection?

Not all annuals cost the same. Here are the specific factors that move your price up or down.

Factors that lower your cost (low end of range):

• Under 500 hours since new or major overhaul — fewer worn parts, less corrosion risk.

• Complete logbooks — no time spent researching missing AD compliance.

• Owner removes interior panels and inspection covers before drop-off — saves us 2 to 3 hours of labor. We show you what to remove. Save $300to$500.

• No known squawks — we are inspecting, not troubleshooting.

• Fixed landing gear — retractable gear adds 2 hours of inspection time.

Factors that raise your cost (high end of range):

• Over 2,000 hours since new — more wear, higher probability of discrepancies.

• Missing or incomplete logbooks — we research ADs from scratch. Add $250 and 1 day.

• Retractable landing gear — gear swing test, up/down indicator rigging. Add $300to$500.

• Turbocharged engine — turbocharger inspection, wastegate operation. Add $400.

• Floatplane configuration — float attach points, water rudder cables, lower fuselage corrosion. Add $300.

• Aircraft based at humid location (Lake Simcoe, coastal) — extended corrosion inspection. No additional charge but higher probability of findings.

Real example from a 2026 invoice:
Cessna 172, 1,200 hours since major, complete logbooks, fixed gear, based at CYLS. Owner removed interior panels. Base quote: $1,800.Findingsduringinspection:onewornbrakedisc($180), one landing light ($45),oneminorcorrosionspotonbatterybox($200). Final total: $2,225. Owner approved each repair by text message. Aircraft picked up Friday.

What Is Actually Included in an Annual Inspection?

You are paying for 15 to 20 hours of labor plus parts. Here is what our AME does during that time.

Logbook audit (2 hours):

• Review every entry since last annual

• Verify AD compliance for your specific make and model

• Flag missing 337 forms or incomplete entries

• Identify recurring discrepancies

Engine and systems inspection (4 hours):

• Borescope every cylinder with video recording

• Compression check with leak location

• Magnetos timing and impulse coupling check

• Oil filter cut open and inspected for metal

• Fuel system pressure and leak check

• Exhaust system crack inspection (common finding on older aircraft)

Airframe inspection (6 to 8 hours):

• Remove interior panels, floorboards, inspection covers

• Wing spar carry-through corrosion inspection

• Control cable tension and pulley condition

• Landing gear attach points and bushings

• Flap and aileron hinge bearings

• Fuel tank seal inspection

Reassembly and testing (2 to 3 hours):

• Reinstall all panels with torque-sealed fasteners

• Engine run-up and systems test

• Final control surface sweep

Paperwork (1 hour):

• Signed annual inspection checklist (TCA Form 24-0101)

• Detailed discrepancy report with photos

• AD compliance log update

See our annual inspection service page for the complete hour-by-hour breakdown.

How to Get a Lower Annual Inspection Cost

You can reduce your annual cost by doing some work yourself before drop-off.

Owner-removed panels and covers:
Remove these before arriving at our hangar:

• Interior side panels (exposing control cables and pulleys)

• Floorboards (exposing control pushrods and fuel lines)

• Seat cushions and carpet (exposing floor structure)

• Inspection covers on lower cowl and belly

• Engine cowling (if you are comfortable)

Time saved for us: 2 to 3 hours. Your savings: $300to$500.

Owner-provided oil and filter:
Bring your own approved oil (Aeroshell, Phillips, Exxon Elite) and filter (Champion, Tempest). We credit the cost of our standard oil and filter back to you. Typical savings: $50to$80.

Complete and organized logbooks:
Arrange logbooks in chronological order. Tab the last annual sign-off. Have a list of any squawks you have noticed since last annual. Time saved: 30 to 60 minutes. Your savings: $50to$100.

What you cannot do:
You cannot perform any inspection tasks that require an AME license. You cannot sign off any findings. You cannot remove flight control surfaces or safety-critical components.

Call 705-687-3300 and ask about owner-assisted annuals. We will tell you exactly what to remove based on your aircraft model.

100-Hour Inspection vs Annual Inspection Cost

If you operate a flight school, charter, or rental fleet, you need 100-hour inspections instead of — or in addition to — annuals.

Cost difference:

Why 100-hour inspections cost less:

• No AD research (already done at last annual)

• Logbook audit is simpler (shorter period since last inspection)

• Fewer surprises (high-utilization aircraft are maintained more frequently)

Fleet pricing for 100-hour inspections:
If you operate three or more aircraft, see our fleet maintenance support page for volume pricing. Typical fleet discount: 10 to 15% off base price.

Hidden Costs That Some AMOs Don’t Mention

We quote everything upfront. Here is what some other shops add after they start — and what we include or exclude transparently.

Common hidden costs at other AMOs:

Our rule: If it is not in your firm quote, you approve the cost in writing before we proceed. No exceptions.

The One Question Most Owners Ask About Annual Costs

“Why do some AMOs quote $1,500whileyouquote$1,800 for the same Cessna 172?”

Some AMOs quote a low base price, then add mandatory items after you drop off. Here is what a $1,500 quote often excludes:

• Oil and filter ($80to$120)

• Compass swing ($150to$250 — required for IFR aircraft)

• AD research time ($100to$300 — required if logbooks are incomplete)

• Shop supplies ($50to$150)

• Tax (13% HST in Ontario — some shops quote before tax)

Real comparison from a 2026 customer:
A Barrie-based Cessna 182 owner received three quotes for his annual:

• Shop A: $1,500 (excluded oil, compass swing, AD research, supplies, tax)

• Shop B: $2,200 (all-inclusive, firm)

• Muskoka Aircraft: $2,000 (all-inclusive, firm)

He chose Shop A. Final bill after adding exclusions: $2,350.Plusheapproved$800 in “unexpected” repairs without a written estimate. Total: $3,150.

He used us for the next annual.

Our quote for the same aircraft: $2,000base.Heapproved$400 in optional repairs (one cylinder re-torque, one brake disc). Final total: $2,400.

The lowest quote is rarely the lowest bill.

Questions Owners Ask About Annual Inspection Costs

Do I pay tax on top of your quoted price?

Yes. All prices quoted are before HST (13% in Ontario). We state this clearly in every written quote. Some shops quote after tax to look cheaper — we do not.

Do you offer payment plans?

Not for annual inspections. Payment is due at pick-up. For commercial fleet accounts with net-30 terms, we require credit approval and a signed agreement before work begins.

How do I know if I am being overcharged for repairs?

You receive a written repair estimate with line-item costs before we proceed. You can take that estimate to any other AMO for a second opinion. We do not charge for estimates. Call 705-687-3300 if you want us to review an estimate from another shop.

What if my annual inspection fails and the aircraft is not airworthy?

You have three options:

1. Approve the repairs at our quoted cost — we complete them and sign off the annual

2. Defer non-airworthiness repairs — we sign off the annual with a written repair plan

3. Ferry permit to another shop — we provide the permit at no additional charge

You are never forced to repair with us. We provide the discrepancy report and you can take the aircraft anywhere.

Do you offer discounts for repeat customers or multiple aircraft?

Yes. Second annual on the same aircraft within 24 months: 5% off base price. Third annual: 10% off. For fleet operators with three or more aircraft, see our fleet maintenance support page for custom pricing.

Ready to Get a Firm Quote for Your Annual Inspection?

You now know what an annual inspection costs in Canada in 2026. The next step is a firm quote for your specific aircraft.

Call 705-687-3300 with your make, model, total time, and any known squawks. We will give you a written quote over the phone or by email within 4 hours.

Or use the contact form on our contact page.

Before you call, download our annual inspection preparation checklist by emailing info@muskokaaircraft.com with the subject line “Annual prep checklist.”

Muskoka Aircraft Maintenance & Modifications Inc.
Transport Canada Certified AMO #41-21
1006 Sabre Lane Unit 3, Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P 1R1

Expert Take — David Coulson, Senior AME:
“In 19 years of annual inspections, I have seen owners overpay by $1,000ormoresimplybecausetheychosethelowestphonequote.Theshopthatquotes$1,500 for a Cessna 172 annual is planning to add $800inmandatoryitemsafteryoudropoff.Wequote$1,800 all-in. You pay what we quote. That is the difference between a compliance check and a real annual inspection.”