Calling All Savvy Aviation Subscribers

[WheelPantsOff]

My apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere.  I tried a search and didn't come up with much.

With my last annual in the bag, I'm curious if anyone else here is a Savvy Mx subscriber and if they have a knowledgeable and strong contact/advisor.

My advisor was substandard in his handling of the annual and their Mooney knowledge was clear.  I don't expect them to have a Service Center-like knowledge base for every type, but I would think that the Mooney is popular and mainstream enough that they would have sufficient resources available to accurately answer questions.  They did not deal directly with the shop and I'm glad they didn't because the shop and I kept excellent lines of communications open and I felt like it was a fair and reasonable inspection and I plan on returning next year.  When I presented Savvy with squawks and discussion topics, I felt like I was being BS'ed in the answers and it was only after I kept prodding that I actually got worthwhile feedback.  In full disclosure, I've been a 25+ year DO/DOM for various departments and I know my way around an inspection, but I kept them in the loop on the inspection throughout the process and I felt like there was no value added.

Your thoughts and feedback is welcome.  Perhaps my standards were too high?

[KSMooniac]

@kortopates might be interested in this topic

[kortopates]

If you don’t mind, please DM me with the specifics: your N number is sufficient and I can look you up. But if you’ve used our data analysis service with your engine data you should recognize my name. I do all the Mooney’s and am one of Savvy’s IA’s.
I should perhaps add, for what’s it worth, you’re actually using the service only in a QA service capacity, which is about half the cost of MX. So if happy with handling the shop communications it substantially reduces the cost.


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[WheelPantsOff]

On 10/12/2023 at 10:41 PM, kortopates said:

If you don’t mind, please DM me with the specifics: your N number is sufficient and I can look you up. But if you’ve used our data analysis service with your engine data you should recognize my name. I do all the Mooney’s and am one of Savvy’s IA’s.
I should perhaps add, for what’s it worth, you’re actually using the service only in a QA service capacity, which is about half the cost of MX. So if happy with handling the shop communications it substantially reduces the cost.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

PM Inbound.  Thank you.

[MikeOH]

Just one data point but I've been extremely happy with the level of service and response time of Savvy; granted I only have the analysis/QA not full management services.  

[201Steve]

I’ve had mixed feelings about it. It’s definitely a nice additional resource to have in most situations, and I continue to pay each year, but I don’t know that I’ve been “extremely satisfied” most of the time. What’s a real bummer is when you type out a long drawn out explanation, list all of your findings, attach pictures or other references, and you get back a 4 line response. I don’t expect out of someone the same level of enthusiasm I have about why my #2 cylinder runs 50 cooler than the others, but when I spend a bunch of time stating the case, with multiple question lines, and all you get back is “try cleaning the number 2 injector” it’s a little bit of a buzz kill. Probably “worth it” but I’m not in love with the resource, either. I guess I expect to get the enthusiasm of Mike Bush when he goes off on a tangent about something or another in great detail, but alas…. It’s just me and Jeff on a keyboard. 

[NewMoon]

3 hours ago, 201Steve said:

I’ve had mixed feelings about it. It’s definitely a nice additional resource to have in most situations, and I continue to pay each year, but I don’t know that I’ve been “extremely satisfied” most of the time. What’s a real bummer is when you type out a long drawn out explanation, list all of your findings, attach pictures or other references, and you get back a 4 line response. I don’t expect out of someone the same level of enthusiasm I have about why my #2 cylinder runs 50 cooler than the others, but when I spend a bunch of time stating the case, with multiple question lines, and all you get back is “try cleaning the number 2 injector” it’s a little bit of a buzz kill. Probably “worth it” but I’m not in love with the resource, either. I guess I expect to get the enthusiasm of Mike Bush when he goes off on a tangent about something or another in great detail, but alas…. It’s just me and Jeff on a keyboard. 

I think you have a relevant expectation, if you get nothing in return then you should just send your $ to this forum and ask the experts here. Sometimes better input comes out.

[MB65E]

On 10/12/2023 at 4:25 PM, WheelPantsOff said:

My apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere.  I tried a search and didn't come up with much.

With my last annual in the bag, I'm curious if anyone else here is a Savvy Mx subscriber and if they have a knowledgeable and strong contact/advisor.

My advisor was substandard in his handling of the annual and their Mooney knowledge was clear.  I don't expect them to have a Service Center-like knowledge base for every type, but I would think that the Mooney is popular and mainstream enough that they would have sufficient resources available to accurately answer questions.  They did not deal directly with the shop and I'm glad they didn't because the shop and I kept excellent lines of communications open and I felt like it was a fair and reasonable inspection and I plan on returning next year.  When I presented Savvy with squawks and discussion topics, I felt like I was being BS'ed in the answers and it was only after I kept prodding that I actually got worthwhile feedback.  In full disclosure, I've been a 25+ year DO/DOM for various departments and I know my way around an inspection, but I kept them in the loop on the inspection throughout the process and I felt like there was no value added.

Your thoughts and feedback is welcome.  Perhaps my standards were too high?

I think it works both ways. I love the idea, and for some it works. Each system has its own faults and you’ve discovered a limitation.  Savvy has just has a little bit too much marketing taste for me. I’ve worked in shops, large and small markets, that have refused service to Savvy customers. From a Dom/tech standpoint, it’s hard for an outside source, other than the manufacture, to provide insight to a customer. I’d take your 25y experience and be your own advocate. Talk to the guys on the floor. You’ll know just like you found out what’s BS or not. 
I’ve represented clients on contract just to help be the interface between operators and shops. I show up, see what the problem is, see how the guys are handling it. If I don’t like it I say something. It’s pretty simple.  Some shops can move in the direction you want, others won’t. 
(I won’t get into Gulfstream Tech Ops :-)

-Matt

[GeeBee]

It's like telemedicine, you have to understand its limits and its benefits. I've talked to numerous doctors who have discovered deep organ cancers by doing the traditional abdomen squeeze that we all hate. Can't do that over the 'net. On the other hand, the recent pandemic has proven the value of telemedicine by keeping the infected at home while providing prescriptive care. Personally I use Q&A as a "sanity check" to make sure I'm not going down the wrong path. Works good for me.

[RoundTwo]

I think the Savvy services work great for some and not as great for others. Aircraft owners run the gamut on knowledge and mechanical abilities, so it goes without saying that the less knowledgeable owners have more to benefit from an advisory service. I tried Savvy pre buy last year but for me, it wasn’t a good fit. I am very happy with Savvy Analysis.

[Jetpilot86]

Can’t beat the free logbook review.  Theirs tracked well with what I saw, but it was good to have a backup set of eyes.