Atlanta - N. Georgia Avionics Recommendations

[Jeff_S]

Hello all,

I've got my IFR cert coming up in a few months, and I want to also tackle a niggly grounding problem in the avionics that causes my fuel pressure gauge to bounce on/off intermittently. I suspect some wiring somewhere in the intercom as it can be triggered by keying the mic button most reliably.

Looking for recommendations on shops in the general Atlanta-N. Georgia area that do good work on Mooneys. I've used a few in the area myself over the years with my Warrior, but I don't want to bias anybody's answers with my own opinions there. In particular, this problem will require a bit of troubleshooting which I know is an art form, especially for tight Mooney panels.

Any thoughts are welcome. Use Private Message if you'd prefer not to besmirch or provide adulations for any shop publicly.

Thanks!

[Theo]

I have had good luck with Cole Aviation in Rome, GA. Joey and his crew bailed me out a jam I got in when I trusted a local guy to do some work on my engine. Since they fixed it (replaced everything but the case and crank basically!) it has stayed fixed and has run like a little Swiss watch for the last four years. They also put my bladders in (Joey went to O&N in PA for training).

[Earl]

Jeff: I have used AVWEST which operates out of McCollum and Paulding Cty with mixed results so I would not recommend them.  Have you tried Epps?  They aren't cheap but I have heard some good reviews about their work although I have never used them.  I don't think Joey Cole does avionics but I have had very good results with him on some maintenance and an EDM-730 install in my Mooney.  Maybe he has a shop that he could recommend.  I think there is also an avionics shop at Winder but again, I have never used them so no idea how good they are.  I'm like you, I cannot stand niggling avionics problems.  My #2 navcomm gives me problems now and then and AVWEST has never been able to figure it out.  If I had $10K I would dump it and put in another 430 or really splurge and put in a 530W.  Never ending opportunities to spend money.

[tony]

Av-west is over at stockmar now, they left McCollum about a year ago.  I would suggest Sean Hachem in Calhoun.

[Earl]

Quote: tony

Av-west is over at stockmar now, they left McCollum about a year ago.  I would suggest Sean Hachem in Calhoun.

[Mooney_Allegro]

Hi Jeff,

My pitot static check/transponder check was coming due in March, and I called around for pricing.  The average price for my G600 equipped Mooney was $295, which is probably pretty much right in the ballpark I expected.  I called Gardner Aviation at Peachtree City to get a quote for the pitot-static check/transponder, and they quoted me $599!!!!!!!  When I inquired WHY are you twice the price of everyone else?  Their response was, "you have a G600, and that MAY require more work if we have to re-calibrate your AHRS, so that is our fee whether we have to recalibrate your AHRS or not.

Of course I went someplace else.  I used Skip Moore at KLZU, he charged me $250.  The name of his company is Eastern Winds Avionics.  He came right to my hangar and my certification was done in a few hours. 

If Gardner Aviation at Peachtree City charges $600 for a basic static check/transponder, I would expect all of their prices are wildly inflated.  I certainly wouldn't use them.