PIREP: Advanced Aircraft Services (KTTD) for Tank Patching

[tim417]

As many of you probably already know, Advanced Aircraft Services out of Troutdale, OR is a MSC. They used to do full reseals in the past, but no longer do them. I had heard they still do patches for leaks and had a reputation of being able to give a no sh!t assessment of whether or not a leak can be reliably patched without a reseal, and could do the job.

Earlier this year, I called Greg and set up an appointment to fly my M20C up there for him to check out. The left tank was seeping fuel on the spar and my A&P/IA had been bugging me about it for a while asking me to please get it fixed. Greg and I set up an appointment for Monday of this week, so I flew up on Sunday so it would be ready Monday morning. I met with him as scheduled and he got to work on it, diagnosing and patching the leak. He let the fuel sit in the tank until Tuesday around lunch time to make sure the leak was indeed patched and by 1400 hours that afternoon, I was on my way home.

It was extremely refreshing to deal with a shop that keeps its appointments and lives up to its reputation of solid work. That and Greg just seems like a very kind, hard working guy that takes pride in his work. 

Tim

[Bolter]

+1 for Greg and Advanced.  They have earned my trust since moving to the PNW region.  

[DCarlton]

15 minutes ago, tim417 said:

As many of you probably already know, Advanced Aircraft Services out of Troutdale, OR is a MSC. They used to do full reseals in the past, but no longer do them. I had heard they still do patches for leaks and had a reputation of being able to give a no sh!t assessment of whether or not a leak can be reliably patched without a reseal, and could do the job.

Earlier this year, I called Greg and set up an appointment to fly my M20C up there for him to check out. The left tank was seeping fuel on the spar and my A&P/IA had been bugging me about it for a while asking me to please get it fixed. Greg and I set up an appointment for Monday of this week, so I flew up on Sunday so it would be ready Monday morning. I met with him as scheduled and he got to work on it, diagnosing and patching the leak. He let the fuel sit in the tank until Tuesday around lunch time to make sure the leak was indeed patched and by 1400 hours that afternoon, I was on my way home.

It was extremely refreshing to deal with a shop that keeps its appointments and lives up to its reputation of solid work. That and Greg just seems like a very kind, hard working guy that takes pride in his work. 

Tim

I’m trying to make a final reseal vs bladder decision now.  Fuel, hotel and airline fairs for the reseal will be close to $4k to/from my home base. I’m reconsidering bladders.  Curious what the patch cost you.  I’m looking at $14k minimum either way.  

[tim417]

10 hours ago, DCarlton said:

I’m trying to make a final reseal vs bladder decision now.  Fuel, hotel and airline fairs for the reseal will be close to $4k to/from my home base. I’m reconsidering bladders.  Curious what the patch cost you.  I’m looking at $14k minimum either way.  

The patch cost me four hours of labor, which I felt was more than reasonable. 

[Igor_U]

I had a multiple leaks in the outboard bay of my left fuel tank and Greg and his team patched it successfully this spring. I could pick up my plane within a week and IRC, bill was less then $1500, probably with some fuel. Highly recommended.

 

[bcg]

If you're in the South, David at Dugosh is also a whiz at patching tanks.  I think he kind of enjoys it.

[DCarlton]

Appreciate all the replies.  Before seeing this, I aborted on my Sep tank reseal (because of $4K travel costs and hot weather in the southwest) and placed a deposit for bladders which are currently out of stock.  Looks like it'll be a 5-7 month wait (TBD).  Eagle Fuel Cells, who makes them for Griggs, is out of the required materials and two of the three plants that make the materials have closed.  So... if you want bladders, get in line early.  And BTW, prices have gone up 14% in the last 10 months.  3% inflation my ass.  

[kortopates]

Appreciate all the replies.  Before seeing this, I aborted on my Sep tank reseal (because of $4K travel costs and hot weather in the southwest) and placed a deposit for bladders which are currently out of stock.  Looks like it'll be a 5-7 month wait (TBD).  Eagle Fuel Cells, who makes them for Griggs, is out of the required materials and two of the three plants that make the materials have closed.  So... if you want bladders, get in line early.  And BTW, prices have gone up 14% in the last 10 months.  3% inflation my ass.  

Whew - you had me worried about RT plane tickets to Ft. lauderdale! But they’re under $250.
I am getting close to doing it also because i want to get new paint after the tanks.
As long as the market keeps beating inflation iam happy


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[DCarlton]

2 hours ago, kortopates said:

Whew - you had me worried about RT plane tickets to Ft. lauderdale! But they’re under $250.
I am getting close to doing it also because i want to get new paint after the tanks.
As long as the market keeps beating inflation iam happy


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Weep No More just had a slot open up.  You might get there faster than me over the mountains but I figured 13 hours of flying and $1k in fuel each way.  Then about six days of hotel rooms at $1K plus another $700 - $1K for airfares and Uber rides.  All total about $4k in travel costs.  

[MooneyMitch]

Absolutely kudos to Greg.  Excellent, fair, quality and honest service.   What a pleasure.   

[NotarPilot]

Greg resealed my tanks in 2021. He’s a solid guy and runs a great shop with great work ethic. I would definitely recommend his services. 

[kortopates]

Weep No More just had a slot open up.  You might get there faster than me over the mountains but I figured 13 hours of flying and $1k in fuel each way.  Then about six days of hotel rooms at $1K plus another $700 - $1K for airfares and Uber rides.  All total about $4k in travel costs.  

thanks for info on Weep No More but i am not quite ready to do it - but soon.

Luckily i don’t have to look at it that way, nor justify any trip, i have my plane for traveling and budget annually for that so would just substitute this trip for another and ideally make it a bit of holiday in the process; at least the return. But understand as it eats up real $.
Good luck on yours.

We lost a great option for west coast re-seals when Greg opted to discontinue this service. His shop has a great reputation as well.

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[DCarlton]

2 hours ago, kortopates said:

thanks for info on Weep No More but i am not quite ready to do it - but soon.

Luckily i don’t have to look at it that way, nor justify any trip, i have my plane for traveling and budget annually for that so would just substitute this trip for another and ideally make it a bit of holiday in the process; at least the return. But understand as it eats up real $.
Good luck on yours.

We lost a great option for west coast re-seals when Greg opted to discontinue this service. His shop has a great reputation as well.

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It was a time issue for me.  I couldn't justify the cost if I couldn't enjoy the trip particularly when the total cost was about the same as installing bladders locally.  I was boxed in with too many other obligations in Sep - Oct.  Trip preparations and pressures were becoming work and not much fun.  My wife even looked at the numbers and said the trip didn't make sense; you're not having fun with it, and what if you have to go back for warranty work?  So the local bladder install option seemed like the best choice.  Yes a West Coast reseal option would be nice; I've tried to talk folks into doing it.