Pirep Precision Air, Manning, SC

[GeeBee]

I had my airplane scheduled into my IA for an annual on 11-27. He called me on the 26th and advised me he was unable because he fell off a ladder and broke his leg in two spots. My annual expired on 11-30 so I had to scramble. Called Cole Aviation but Joe said he was slammed. So I went through the directory of Mooney Service centers and found Precision Air in Manning, SC. Not only was it an MSC it was a Part 145 station. I called them and told them my predicament, holiday travel schedule and that I needed the airplane back by 12-15. Fred Hilton, the shop manager said he could squeeze me in. I told him I needed to drop the airplane before 12-1 and they said no problem.

Next problem was getting there. I needed a chase plane. Chuck (aka RoundTwo) very nicely offered his help to chase with his J model. 

I dropped the airplane off and was impressed by Fred and his shop. He seemed well tempered and knowledgeable. Yesterday, 3 days early no less, they called and said my airplane was ready. I found  it parked on the ramp fully ready, even washed and vacuumed.

Precision Air did a great job and came through for me when I really needed help. Ditto Chuck (RoundTwo) who made it a whole lot easier. 

[KSMooniac]

Good to hear.  There are lots of horror stories from owners going to repair stations that seemingly have no flexibility to repair or acknowledge that used airplanes have wear and try to replace everything with new parts.

[201Steve]

Good to know.  Did they find anything unique or noteworthy?

[GeeBee]

They said it was a well maintained airplane that required nothing. All AD's and SB's up to date, gear was perfect, cylinders ranged for 70/80 to a low of 60/80....cold. Total cost $2550.

As an aside Fred Hilton took me in the shop and showed their current work. They are an authorized Cirrus center authorized to perform structural repairs. They had one that had a PIO which resulted in a cracked firewall. The firewall is also composite and they had replaced it. Another had a hangar rash on the tail. He told me they get engineered repair kits from the factory and that the kits require curing at 180 degrees for 7-8 hours. They build an enclosure around the repair then heat it with thrermostat controlled heat guns that maintain the temperature within the enclosure to cure the resin. The firewall repair from PIO appears to be a common repair, much like C-182s. They can cut the firewall in half (lower and upper) and repair only the damaged section.

They also had a C-210 that suffered a gear up. The work looked excellent. I also know they have a gear up Baron coming in.