Do you use a mechanic on your field

[201er]

Do you use a mechanic on your home field or do you have to fly to get work done on your plane? Do you travel because no one is available at your airport or because you think the mechanic you travel to is better/cheaper?

[Bolter]

 

I feel fortunate that I have an A&P/IA with a hangar (not  operating from the back of his truck) that I trust at my home airport.  

 

[jetdriven]

Our Shop is 13 NM away from our field. That takes 0.2 Tach hours, 1.8-2.0 GAL of fuel, and the total round trip cost  is ~40$

[kerry]

I plead the 5th.

[Ned Gravel]

My mechanic is 200 nm away.  Best Mooney mechanic I know. He is a cook that eats his own cooking.  He has an E model as well.

[DaV8or]

I chose option 1, but really it's option 1, 2 and 4. I use the local mechanic for simple repairs and he is fine with me doing the work and sign off my work. If the repair is more technical or Mooney specific, I go to Top Gun or LASAR.

[lahso]

I travel 15min to my MSC. Between the previous owner and myself, he's been the only shop to work on the plane in 11yrs. However, if I couldn't fly, I would use the local guys.

[Sabremech]

Being an A&P/IA, I do all of my maint. No traveling required and the work is done to my satisfaction.

[bnicolette]

I am very fortunate to have a professional shop at my home field that I use & trust for most maintenance and then Mooney specific items I have to fly 143NM to Henry Weber (MSC).  It is a real pain though to drop the plane and then rent a car and drive 3 hours, but totally worth it for piece of mind and a quality job.  Both facilities have been great to work with through this first year of Mooney ownership.

[DonMuncy]

Why do the choices always need clarifications. There are  mechanics on my field, but I do not use them. I have to fly to my favorite mechanic unless it is something the hangar elves can take care of.

[Jeff_S]

I have a primary A/P who DOES work out of his truck but is one of the most respected mechanics in the area, so he's my go-to guy. For Mooney-specific work like fixing leaky tanks, I've used Joey Cole. 

[Parker_Woodruff]

I hope to find someone good at LAL for the small stuff, but I try to have Don Maxwell do all my work.  Fortunately I have lots of reasons to fly back to Texas, so unless my plane isn't airworthy, I bring it back to him for repair.

[clh]

I am fotunate enough to have an excellent mechanic right next to my hangar.  It is very convenient to just call him and he takes a look at whatever is of concern. 

[MATTS875]

I have a mechanic on the field that has done me a good ob on the work so far.Seems to be in line with price on everything so far.It is very convenient to call him and tell him what i need and he gets the plane out of my hanger and handles the work and puts it back in the hanger ready to go. And only 100 yards away

[Immelman]

I'm really lucky to have an outstanding inspector at my home field. He takes care of a lot of Mooneys and knows the issues fairly well. PM me for contact info if you want. He'll let me do just about as much as I care to do to keep the costs down. I've done an awful lot of work after being shown how the first time and have had some reasonably-priced annuals and other maintenance events as a result.

I like Lake and Top Gun for the parts and support services they have. One phone call and a part is usually there the next day. Speaking of which we discovered on my annual (now) that the shock discs on my mains were done. $90 each. Uggggg...

[jetdriven]

How in the "F" did something as simple as a rubber donut that probably was originally for a baler at Tractor Supply turn into a 90$ each item? 

[bnicolette]

Quote: jetdriven

How in the "F" did something as simple as a rubber donut that probably was originally for a baler at Tractor Supply turn into a 90$ each item? 

[John Pleisse]

We have a national brand FBO on our field. They are only good for an oil change, pump replacement, alternator, etc..... or if you are in a jam. Anything else, you are paying for on the job, type specific training. I fly 63 nm to Henry Weber Aircraft in Lancaster PA and pass two other Mooney Service Centers along the way.

[Seth]

Two separate answers - When I first purchased my Mooney it was based on a field with an MSC, so I used the guys on the field.  When I moved to a place closer to my home, I would fly the Mooney the whole few minutes back to the MSC. 

When I purchased the Missile, I decided to try the local mechanics, who are 80 feet from my hanger (in their hanger) to do certain smaller items (I should really learn to do the oil changes myself at this point) but for any larger issues or Mooney specific issues, I'll fly it over to the MSC.

The MSC I use is Freeway at W00

Weber, a different and slightly further (less than 30 minutes) MSC that John, Brett, and others use I may have to try at some point if I ever want a different set of eyes to look at an issue. 

To sume up now, for small things or convenicne on field.  For big things or for Mooney specialists, MSC a short flight away.

 

-Seth

[Lionudakis]

Do my own. Have a hangar AND work out of the back of my truck.

[flyboy0681]

We are lucky enough to have an A&P that works exclusively on Mooney's come to our hangar when we need repairs.

[lieutenantdanbr]

My experience of the last 10 years is to use a local IA so that a good business relationship can be established. When problems arise, he is familiar with the airplane and can help when there is a problem remote giving me advice as to what should be done to get me home safely. In the past 10 years, only 2 have worked on the plane when at home. Whenever possible, I do go to the shop when the plane is being serviced to hold parts, wrenches, and get coffee. That does make a difference.