Annual Decision

[Skyatty]

My annual is coming up in August and I have to make a decision about where to have it done.  When I bought 201FJ last August, Don Maxwell did the pre-buy and annual.  I would really like to take it back to Longview for this annual but it is a hike and, with current fuel costs probably adds nearly 1K AMU to the cost.  Utah does not have a MSC anywhere and I have not found a mechanic in this general area with Mooney-specific experience.  There is a mechanic in Evanston with Mooney experience but he is not a MSC.  

Obviously, California (where I fly a lot), Arizona, Nevada and Colorado are reasonable choices.  California has several MSCs (Crownaire in San Diego, LASAR in Lakeport, Monterey Bay and Top Gun in Monterey and Stockton, respectively); Arizona has Chandler Aviation, Nevada has Lone Mountain Aviation in Las Vegas (where I also fly a lot) and Colorado has Arapahoe Aero in Englewood.  Any recommendations from any of these choices?  

If you would recommend against any of these due to bad experiences or problems with their work, please PM me rather than posting it here.  

Also, if you are aware of someone in the Salt Lake City area with great Mooney credentials, please let me know - I haven't found him yet.

Thanks in advance.

[MooneyMitch]

A possible candidate for your Mooney annual is the Mooney Service Center in Troutdale, OR.  They are located just East of Portland on the Columbia River.  We recently had our E model tanks resealed from these folks...........excellent.

Greg Lehman
Advanced Aircraft Services, LLC
Troutdale, OR
503-465-2298

[Parker_Woodruff]

I would do Top Gun or LASAR if you don't go to Longview.

That said, I'm planning on flying all 709 nm to Don Maxwell every year.  But my family is in Texas, so it makes even more sense to go back there.  American Eagle also flies into GGG, to I can get back to Tampa without too much hassle.

[Bennett]

I recommend LASAR.  They maintained my 261 conversion for the 16 or so years I owned her, and now my M20J.  I like their positive attitude, and they certainly know Mooneys.  During the last few decades, I've had work done at other MSCs, and while they have all been competent, there is much to be said for LASAR's staff,  and their long term knowledge base. Long wasy to go, but Enterprise in Lakeport will pick you up a Lampson field, and you can just return the car to LASAR's office, and they will take care of return process.

[carqwik]

FWIW, I have been taking my Bravo to Top Gun in SCK for the last ten years or so even though I live in the Phoenix area.  Top Gun generally does a great job but they aren't the cheapest shop.  Other than normal stuff breaking/failing between annuals (starter, alternator, ASI) which has nothing to do with their work, my plane has only required oil changes between annuals. (And a bunch of batteries too - the heat in Phoenix is a killer for batteries.)

[thinwing]

Skyatty,too bad ok3 right there in at 36u doesnt have specific Mooney experience..I have found them pretty knowledgeable.With all the availble flights Smf to Slc,your choice of either top gun or Laser is good,just get them to ferry you back to Smf....kpc...Ps I will be visiting a sister in Park city in aug...love the area...k

[Skyatty]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I think I will probably try Top Gun and see how it goes.  Parker, I really trust Don but it is literally twice as far.  With a trip to Cali, I can actually do some business and see some clients.  Also, we are entering the "search for college" phase with my son so we can check out Berkeley and Stanford while we are in NoCal.  ThinWing, the OK3 guys are okay but after dealing with them you get a clear idea that they want bizjet business and not so much the little guys.  The guy that once ran maintenance for OK3 is now down as KSLC and does oil changes and engine work for me (a Lycoming is a Lycoming regardless of the airframe, I assume) and he is a good mechanic but no real Mooney experience.  Enjoy Park City; it is truly paradise in the summer.  If you get a chance, the Wednesday night concerts at Deer Valley are a treat (and free) and there are always other great concerts up there during the summer.  Well worth it.  

[Skyatty]

Mitch, depending on the timing, I may also check out the MSC in Troutdale.  We are thinking of flying up to Gig Harbor this summer and that is not too far out of the way.

[DaV8or]

My plane is in the middle of annual right now at Top Gun. For me it's a no brainer. They're about 35 minutes from my house. So far all a positive experience and they definately know thier Mooneys. Only two squawks so far is, cost (they aren't cheap!) and they don't allow owner assisted annuals. You can't pull the cowling, access panels or anything. The basic annual inspection on my M20F is $2040. Of course it goes up from there all said and done.

Would like to use LASAR some time because they are so helpful to me, but they are so awkward being in the middle of nowhere and really hard to drive to. I have bought parts from them anyways.

I would like to find a Mooney smart A&P out there near by that I can do owner assist annuals and then return to the MSC every other year or so. Anybody know somebody in NorCal like that?

[Parker_Woodruff]

Don Maxwell has talked good about Top Gun - at least he used them when trying to source a part that my M20K needed in prebuy.

What does your son want to study in college?  Is the west coast important?  I can think of some good schools in Texas worth visiting should you have reason to come down here next year:

-Baylor - I went here.  Great med school and good all around.

-Rice - highly regarded.  I don't know much about them

-A&M - Even I'll admit it.  Probably the smartest engineering people I know went here.

[thinwing]

Yes...but you would need a hanger and tools for the two I know at ksac....DaV8or,you could ask arround your airport...any other Mooneys operating???You would be surprised ...kpc

[thinwing]

And in my case it would probably been cheaper at topgun....I really get picky while wrenching!!!,,...LOL..kpc

[Skyatty]

Parker, he is committed to trying to get into the Air Force Academy right now.  He says he is conflicted between wanting to be a pilot or a doctor.  Flight surgeon is in the middle but maybe not the kind of doctor he wants to be.  He also thinks engineering might work.  He is a great student and all around human being and should have a ton of choices for schools.  I have a huge Texas family with several A&M grads.  UT Austin is also a possibility.  I am a UC San Diego alum and we will look there and UC Berkeley and Stanford.  Still lots of time and I have an airplane that can take him to see some of the possible choices, which should be a blast.

[Skyatty]

What I liked best about Don is that he is very knowledgable and thorough but I also did not get killed on the bill at the last annual.  It is just twice as far as the places in California.

[fantom]

Like Parker, I fly out to TX every year for a Don Maxwell annual, and it's almost 1,000 SM for me. Your CA choices are outstanding, as well.

Your son can be a pilot and a doctor. If he can be accepted at the AF Academy, UT Austin and Stanford, he can be anything he wants to be. We had two MD pilots in my F-4 wing, both of whom had to go back into the primary medicine business after two years of operational flying. The high number of AFA grads who eventually go on to medical school is surprising.

Go Air Force!

[MooneyMitch]

Of course, Top Gun and LASAR.  Great choices too.  I just added Advanced Aircraft to the list for another option on the left Coast.