FWIW, I just completed the first condition inspection on my STOL CH750, N750A. I was very pleased with the results of the differential compression test on the Jab 3300 at 160 hrs: the cylinders ranged from 74 to 80 over 80. (My hangar-mate said not to tell anyone I had a 80/80 because no one would believe it!) The only unexpected finding was a small piece of rag near the bottom of the left flaperon pushrod channel! I had wrapped the upper ends of the pushrods with rags to protect them from banging around in the channel until they were connected to the flaperons. When I removed the rags, apparently a small piece tore off and remained in the channel, not visible from above or below. Apparently over the course of one year and 160 hrs, the piece of rag worked its way down to the lower end of the channel where it was clearly visible and easily retrievable. I don't think it was substantial or large enough to have obstructed the controls, but make sure whatever you stuff into your plane comes back out ... intact!

I found several things invaluable to either speed-up the inspection or make it easier. A lighted, cordless lithium drill/driver made removal of numerous screws in inspection panels, etc. much quicker and a lot easier on the wrist. Keep the torque low when re-tightening and finish off with a screwdriver so as not to deform thin aluminum panels.

Coming from a surgical background, I used a "Mayo" tray to hold screwdrivers, screws, etc. For those who don't know, a "Mayo" tray is a (usually stainless) wheeled, adjustable-height tray that is very handy in that you can roll it right up to where you are working. I'm sure there are HF equivalents, but you could probably find one cheap at a used medical equipment store. I also use the Mayo with a pad on top to wheel the lower cowl under my engine and support it while installing the cowl.

In a similar vein, I had built a 4' by 4' rolling table to use as an extension to my non-rolling build table. The rolling table was handy to pull up closer to the plane to hold bigger items such as my engine maintenance manual, tools, cleaners and lubricants - saves a lot of steps!

In a few places, a flexible video inspection scope was handy. I used it to inspect the fuel senders and plumbing on the tanks - not a drop of leakage was found. It's also useful for inspecting the flaperon bellcranks and the central tunnel.

I couldn't resist one little improvement while I had the seats out. I had originally cut square (with rounded corners) access holes in the seat bases since I had wiring and a Sandia remotely mounted transponder I needed access to. The passenger seat would oil-can when someone got in and occasionally make a loud "pop" ... while harmless, it's not exactly confidence-inspiring! While at AirVenture last week, I got a hole flanging tool - nylon rollers on an aluminum handle. I ran it around the holes in the seat bases and flanged them downward - no more "pop!"

John

N750A