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Shop in Iowa
I'm a client of Savvy Aircraft Maintenance who will oversee service work, but they don't have established relationships with any shops in the area.
I've considered going to Heritage Aero in Rockford, IL (if they will work with Savvy) but it's 200nm away.
Any recommendations from our ICS Iowa delegation?
Thanks!
Matt Bogard- Posts: 110
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:47 pm
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: Shop in Iowa
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer ICS 08899
PA-39 #10 Texas
N3322G- ICS member
- Posts: 1911
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 1:58 pm
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas area
Re: Shop in Iowa
- Ray B
- ICS member
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 6:02 am
Re: Shop in Iowa
Kristin Winter- ICS member
- Posts: 1299
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:21 pm
- Location: Northern California
Re: Shop in Iowa
regarding pitot/altimeter checks... Avionics Place is also at RFD and works very closely with Cliff... many times they will do the check at Cliff's hanger... they feature each others' services on their respective web sites.
Jim
- MULEFLY
- ICS member
- Posts: 900
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2000 1:34 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Re: Shop in Iowa
I signed up with Savvy prior to a 3-week flight out around the west coast. We spent most of September going to Reno, Tahoe, San Fran, Portland, LA, Havasu, Albequerque, and Sedona visiting friends and family. Had a blast! I wanted Savvy on board in case I had an AOG incident anywhere and needed help troubleshooting. I did have a DG fail and I'm not sure that Savvy was of any benefit as I basically handled it all myself.
My other thought in signing up for Savvy was my year of coverage also got me through my first annual with a new shop. Of course, the shop has to be willing to work with Mike and let them manage the annual rather than my old shop's philosophy of "drop it off and we'll call you when it's done, with the final bill." My first annual was $8k and second was $5k...
Matt Bogard- Posts: 110
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:47 pm
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: Shop in Iowa
- MULEFLY
- ICS member
- Posts: 900
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2000 1:34 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Re: Shop in Iowa
I think that there is merit to having a service that can push back on the maintenance shops a bit. I absolutely agree with Mike that too much maintenance is done on principle. It is fine if the owner is onboard with that and knows the ramifications, but the shop often presents these things as requirements. That principle varies little from airplane to airplane, though it is a better service if they really know the aircraft.
If you don't mind my asking and it isn't too nosey, how much do they charge? If you would rather answer in email, I am at kristin_winter at comcast dot net. If you don't want to answer at all, that is fine too.
Kristin Winter- ICS member
- Posts: 1299
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:21 pm
- Location: Northern California
Re: Shop in Iowa
That is where the great shops differ from the slop shops. I'll tout Cliff a bit here. He never does anything outside of normal annual work without my being notified... we were in France this year during the annual... I had the EI scheduled to be installed, he was emailing me photos about every other day and asking for input on appropriate decisions. I too have been the victim... but the best work I feel is done by someone that "almost" over communicates -- there has never been a surprise with Cliff... can't say that I've always felt that way with work done by other shops.
K as you alluded to earlier. Mike knows Cessnas... but there are probably 3 or shops around the US that really know Comanches and are consistent with their quality. Tim at Clifton, Cliff at Heritage... the fellow in FL (Bill?) ... I'll throw you in that esteemed pile too. But then it gets pretty quickly into the "Others".
All the best!
Jim
- MULEFLY
- ICS member
- Posts: 900
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2000 1:34 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Re: Shop in Iowa
I agree with you on the communication. I actually prefer to work with the owner. I have never had my judgment second guessed when I point the issue and explain my rationale and recommendation.
Thank you for the kind words. I have been working with the local Piper service center. As my hangar backs up to there's, I have been working under their auspices, but doing it in my hangar, mostly with the owner. I prefer that to quick production work as I like to teach owners about their aircraft.
Kristin Winter- ICS member
- Posts: 1299
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:21 pm
- Location: Northern California
Re: Shop in Iowa
I've talked with Clif a bit and it sounds like his approach is pretty similar to what I expect and how savvy wants things done. My previous annuals did not involve much communication and decisions were made without my input. Things were not necessarily done wrong, but I would have had them done differently. For instance, several hours were spent cleaning and lubricating my mixture, throttle, and propeller control cables without asking me. Had I had been asked, I would have opted to just install new ones which I ended up doing a few months later when it got cold in the started binding again. Communication is key!
My other thought is that multiple heads are better than one. If the shop as a problem and recommends an expensive fix, perhaps the multiple A&Ps at savvy will have an idea for additional troubleshooting or repairs or etc...
Matt Bogard- Posts: 110
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:47 pm
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: Shop in Iowa
You might also want to check the Pathfinder for ICS members in your area and see who they use and why. A phone or email to them might give some other suggestions. I generally do my own work, but have used Heritage Aero for the occasional set of different eyes to see what I've been missing; Cliff's gang is pretty good and I would recommend them without question. The same with Webco.
Assuming nothing significant is planned/found, I just plan to spend one night in a hotel as they have a loaner vehicle and it saves the spuse from driving. (I live just NW of St. Louis.) I provide the grunt work in one area while they do the "serious" work in another.
PatD
Pat Donovan- ICS Treasurer
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2004 3:32 pm
- Location: Troy, MO
Re: Shop in Iowa
Just curious, it sounds like your "annual" is done in two days? How many techs/ hours get spent on the annual, is it done using the Piper inspection sheets or some other inspection form?
Clarence
- Clarence Beintema
- ICS member
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- Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 11:41 pm
Re: Shop in Iowa
JMHO
Jim
- MULEFLY
- ICS member
- Posts: 900
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2000 1:34 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Re: Shop in Iowa
Rick Mascari
N64400
- IO720
- ICS member
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:36 pm
Re: Shop in Iowa
My annual is never "pencil whipped." When I do it myself, it takes several days. When I went to Heritage the last time, I had two-three guys plus myself working on it. Again remember the caveat that nothing surprising was found. I also have a single which makes it a little easier.
PatD
Pat Donovan- ICS Treasurer
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2004 3:32 pm
- Location: Troy, MO
Re: Shop in Iowa
Sorry but I never suggested that it was pencil whipped or a lessor inspection. I own a shop and was curious about the number of hours, manpower and what inspection guide was used. I don't know the FAA requirements for an "annual" inspection. The Transport Canada requirement is very lax when compared to reality of doing a very thorough inspection. Sadly many maintenance techs are taking short cuts on maintenance to please the customer with a small invoice.
Clarence
- Clarence Beintema
- ICS member
- Posts: 134
- Joined: Tue May 11, 2010 11:41 pm
Kristin Winter- ICS member
- Posts: 1299
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:21 pm
- Location: Northern California