Shop rates at your preferred Mooney shop

[Marauder]

I'm in Altoona Pa , just got my plane , so i am looking

Check with bnicolette. He was based at Latrobe and owned a Mooney. Should be able to let you know who is available in the area and the going rates.

[carl]

latrobe , ok thanks 

[1964-M20E]

I just paid the guy at KHUM $90/hr for fixing a flat but he was there with the parts.  My regular MX charges $75.  They do have overhead and need to pay the bills and you are not paying them 40hrs a week steady and guaranteed.

 

Also as long as they are fair on the hours they charge you.

 

I have spent most of my profesional life in the consulting engineering business and billable hours are important.

[DrBill]

My local A&P/IA rate is $80 but I get significant discount since I'm teaching him welding and do a lot of electrical diagnosis with him that I don't charge him for. I end up paying about $60 / hr.

 

I use the same avionics shop as Bob (above).

 

Bill

[PTK]

If we want to have good mechanics taking care of our Mooneys we have to pay for them. They need to survive.

It's very tough. GA is going through hard times.

[ryoder]

If GA is going through hard times then the mechanics and suppliers should come up with ways to reduce costs but keep people busy. Price things low when packaged together to encourage more consumption and keep people busier making the planes safe. With the money I saved on take reseal I can invest that into a windshield and I did and still have enough left over to cover something like a mag overhaul. It's in everyone's best interests to drive down costs.

[PTK]

Look. If you want to own an airplane but complain about the costs of maintenance and the A&P's charges then maybe you should not own an airplane.

An airplane is not a car. It's a specialty item. There are a lot fewer airplanes than cars.

Cutting costs and keeping people busy and packaging things to increase consumption, etc etc are theories for a class research project.

Not at the control of a mechanic who is trying to run his business and survive.

We need to appreciate good mechanics, pay their bill and say thank you.

[philiplane]

And don't forget a factor unique to aviation. When your IA signs off the annual, he is buying the entire history of the airplane since it left the factory, every repair, every alteration, every modification, and every "repair" done by all the owners, since day one. Thousands of flight hours, decades of mishandling by ramp personnel, abuse by pilots, bad weather, replacement parts from the aviation department of Sears, the list goes on.

 

What's that worth?

 

And the fact that the average age of an aircraft mechanic is now 57 years. There are no young people coming into this profession, because they can make a better living at the Chevy dealership, with none of the hassles. The same dealerships  that charge $100-120 an hour, or more.

 

Now, how much do you think a good aircraft mechanic is worth? 

[M016576]

There are 3 full service shops hear at home and I think they all charge the same as for the old tractor well I know they are simple but they definitely have some very unique issues that you better know your stuff. And when I bring my Mooney to get serviced I would rather pay twice as much and have it take half as long because they understand how to work on these old tractors and don't waist a lot of time and my money trying to figure out how to work on my plane. There are a lot more moving parts in a piston engine than in a turbine. Juuuusst sayin

Yes there are a lot of complex systems on turbine engines and you better know your stuff there too but a piston engine is literally trying to blow itself apart. Ask yourself how much you charge for your time I bet most that fly and own big fast airplanes bill out a lot more than a hundred bucks an hour.

A turbine has waaaaaayyyyyyy more moving parts than a piston power plant: each stator and rotor is an individual piece which must be tightly assembled... It's just that they aren't rubbing against one another with the same amount of friction as a piston cylinder. Ever seen what happens to a compressor that throws a blade? Not pretty....

These motors we have are 1940's technology. The aircraft themselves are ~60's technology (yes, even the Ovations, deep down inside) Not nearly as complex as the power plants and systems that drive a modern car. And their tolerances and ability to operate "with slop" is greater as well (not that you'd want to). I had two annuals at LASAR in a row where upon picking up my aircraft I had minor discrepancies that it didn't have when I dropped it off. After shelling out 4k each time and going through the pain of getting to and from lampson , I started looking at other, more convenient options. I've heard some glowing reviews of LASAR, and clearly many Mooniacs are happy with their service... I'm just not one.

I don't charge for my time, I'm a government employee... So I guess in some way I'm using your tax dollars to pay for my maintenance. Both on and off the job! Wouldn't you prefer that I use your tax dollars responsibly or irresponsibly?

[ryoder]

Look. If you want to own an airplane but complain about the costs of maintenance and the A&P's charges then maybe you should not own an airplane.

An airplane is not a car. It's a specialty item. There are a lot fewer airplanes than cars.

Cutting costs and keeping people busy and packaging things to increase consumption, etc etc are theories for a class research project.

Not at the control of a mechanic who is trying to run his business and survive.

We need to appreciate good mechanics, pay their bill and say thank you.

I love being told I shouldn't own an airplane on an Internet forum by someone I don't know. I got the same reaction on the corvette forum when I bought my new Vette and the leather seat creased day one in the way home from the dealer.

[Guest]

I love being told I shouldn't own an airplane on an Internet forum by someone I don't know. I got the same reaction on the corvette forum when I bought my new Vette and the leather seat creased day one in the way home from the dealer.

I wish more people could own an airplane, however I don't think that it's up to us as maintainers and shop owners to subsidize maintenance costs to keep it affordable. Compare shop rates not freelance maintainer, (many of whom prositute themselves to the lowest bidder) rates to any other service industry and for the most part we are way behind them.

It's more than just maintenance costs killing the industry, cost of pilots license, I doubt the flight instructor or flight school will offer subsidies. Ask Garmin to lower the cost of the new GPS we all want, perhaps the oil companies will lower the cost of fuel, ask your insurance company for a subsidy as well, perhaps the FAA will reduce its own size and the compliance burden for the entire industry.

Clarence

[PTK]

I love being told I shouldn't own an airplane on an Internet forum by someone I don't know. I got the same reaction on the corvette forum when I bought my new Vette and the leather seat creased day one in the way home from the dealer.

 

That as not what I said. Please read post carefully.

[flyingvee201]

And don't forget a factor unique to aviation. When your IA signs off the annual, he is buying the entire history of the airplane since it left the factory, every repair, every alteration, every modification, and every "repair" done by all the owners, since day one. Thousands of flight hours, decades of mishandling by ramp personnel, abuse by pilots, bad weather, replacement parts from the aviation department of Sears, the list goes on.

 

What's that worth?

 

And the fact that the average age of an aircraft mechanic is now 57 years. There are no young people coming into this profession, because they can make a better living at the Chevy dealership, with none of the hassles. The same dealerships  that charge $100-120 an hour, or more.

 

Now, how much do you think a good aircraft mechanic is worth? 

You are right - average age is nearing 60....but....I guess my guy is bucking the average. I think he's 30 or 35 and his partner is maybe 28. He went to Purdue University and Emery-Riddle.  He's a good guy from an aviation family. This is his full time job, but also has a banner complany and is a corporate pilot.  He uses an AGCAT for flying his banners! He father owns a private grass strip nearby too.

 

Yes, I agree that GA is stressing right now, and I also try to look for the best deal too. I work hard for my money like everyone else here, and I dont have a lot to throw around.

When I drop off my plane and I know its staying a week or two, I come back during the week to see how they are doing. I always insist on taking the guys out for lunch and talk about their families or anything else but work stuff.

[C-GHIJ]

A good mechanic is worth his wait in gold.  Don't complain about his shop rate.  Pay it gladly.  Going cheap will cost you way more in the long run.  I'm sure I could find someone cheaper(you always can) but have NO intention of taking my airplane anywhere else but it's current MSC.

[ryoder]

I don't agree with most on this topic so I'll refrain from posting.

[Ned Gravel]

A good mechanic is worth his wait in gold. Don't complain about his shop rate. Pay it gladly. Going cheap will cost you way more in the long run. I'm sure I could find someone cheaper(you always can) but have NO intention of taking my airplane anywhere else but it's current MSC.

+1

Ned Gravel

Lucky steward of C-FSWR, a '65 E model at Rockcliffe, Ontario, (CYRO)

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bonal]

I've lots of experience with piston engines and they have evolved into very efficient machines compared to there early tractor counter parts. However the basic functions are the same any way since you don't charge for your time please enlighten me on the workings of the various jet engines. I know the basics and the variations but if I'm not mistaken they all have one rotation supported on bearings different components but all spinning together as one happy part. The reason that they can turn at such a high speed no opposing forces. Very important to know your s:/t for sure but to make a statement that because an engine is an old design means any fool making minimum wage can correctly service them is IMHO not correct either. As for the government spending my hard earned tax dollars wisely well I think most would agree it's been a lllooooooonnngggg time since that has happened

I would love to pay less for my annuals and I'm sure I could shop around as for LASAR sorry you had a bad experience with them what I like is they allow owner assist and since I am very good with a hammer and a vice grip I do most of the work other than inspection and when they are doing something I am watching with eagle eyes on every piece.

[Guest]

No shop or maintainer is perfect. It comes down to how issues are dealt with.

Three years ago we removed the engine from a customers J model for a camshaft change. While the engine was out we refinished the mount structure as part of the general tidy up.

Last year the plane went for sale and during the PPI a few small areas of light brown rust was found to be coming throughout the paint. I told the seller and buyer to bring me the plane and I would take a look at it. The plane arrived, out came the engine and the mount was refinished again, the was engine reinstalled, it cost the seller and purchaser a handshake each, and I covered everything else including a ride home.

Guess who's plane is back for annual this year?

Clarence

[mike_elliott]

I wish more people could own an airplane, however I don't think that it's up to us as maintainers and shop owners to subsidize maintenance costs to keep it affordable. Compare shop rates not freelance maintainer, (many of whom prositute themselves to the lowest bidder) rates to any other service industry and for the most part we are way behind them.

It's more than just maintenance costs killing the industry, cost of pilots license, I doubt the flight instructor or flight school will offer subsidies. Ask Garmin to lower the cost of the new GPS we all want, perhaps the oil companies will lower the cost of fuel, ask your insurance company for a subsidy as well, perhaps the FAA will reduce its own size and the compliance burden for the entire industry.

Clarence

Like Clarence, or Don Maxwell, Paul, etc, if I were to amortize my billable hours as a MCFI over what time I actually spend on the client's benevolence, I would most likely be better off fiscally with a paper route. In that regard, we do offer soft subsidies.