Need help finding a good shop for an annual in Northern California

[Jonathan Burke]

The shop at my airport (KDVO) stopped doing Mooney Annuals 2 years ago and I've been trying to find a new shop to work with me. Wanted Top Gun to do it but they are really a one person shop now and are booked. Had a bad experience with another shop near Sacramento and will never go back. Tried Alpine Aviation at KGOO but they are swamped for three months. Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

-Jonathan B

[Skyland]

I'm based at Watsonville KWVI and fortunate to have United Flight Services there.  Full service shop, owner/IA really knows Mooneys.  Look them up and give them a call. You can mention my name.

Ken Chambers

[47U]

34 minutes ago, Jonathan Burke said:

Any other suggestions?

Hangtown Aviation in Placerville (PVF).  Brandon is honest.  He repaired fuselage tubes under the pilot’s window on a really nice J model.  It was perfect.   

LIncoln Skyways (LHM) has worked on Mooney’s, but I’ve heard they can be pricey.

[jhmoon]

We have had great luck with Jeff at Norcal Aviation located in Reid Hillview (krhv). We have  a M20R. I know he does a number of other Mooney's at the airport as well. We've used them for 2 years and been really happy. 

[Thedude]

I just dropped my plane off at Barber aviation at KMAE at the recommendation of a friend that owns a bonanza. I'll have to report back on how it goes, he says they do great work, just not fast work, so we'll see. The owner/AP seems like a good guy though and they have a decent sized space.

[bonal]

Welcome Jonathan,  might want to add some more information about your Mooney or just another post to help us get to know you better and that you are not a one post wonder that we seem to get here often.  

[201Mooniac]

On 9/5/2025 at 2:58 PM, Jonathan Burke said:

The shop at my airport (KDVO) stopped doing Mooney Annuals 2 years ago and I've been trying to find a new shop to work with me. Wanted Top Gun to do it but they are really a one person shop now and are booked. Had a bad experience with another shop near Sacramento and will never go back. Tried Alpine Aviation at KGOO but they are swamped for three months. Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

-Jonathan B

I’ve been using Top Gun for 30 years now.  While Mark is the only IA, they have 2 other mechanics that work there so it is not quite a 1 man shop.  They certainly are booked though.  It might be helpful to know the model Mooney and condition to help suggest shops, some are good for annuals where there is little needed and others may be required to handle bigger or Mooney specific jobs that require expertise.

[MikeOH]

I've used Top Gun for annuals a few times, and plan to use them again next year.  They've always finished my annual quickly (under 2 weeks) except for the year they had to send out my PowerFlow exhaust to Florida for overhaul; that wasn't their fault.

But you do need to book many months out.

[Paul Thomas]

1 hour ago, 201Mooniac said:

I’ve been using Top Gun for 30 years now.  While Mark is the only IA, they have 2 other mechanics that work there so it is not quite a 1 man shop.  They certainly are booked though.  It might be helpful to know the model Mooney and condition to help suggest shops, some are good for annuals where there is little needed and others may be required to handle bigger or Mooney specific jobs that require expertise.

That's a great setup. I'd much rather go to a small shop where I know who is working on my airplane. Top Gun has such a great reputation, I always assumed they were a big operation.

[Jeff Uphoff]

2 hours ago, 201Mooniac said:

I’ve been using Top Gun for 30 years now.  While Mark is the only IA, they have 2 other mechanics that work there so it is not quite a 1 man shop.  They certainly are booked though.  It might be helpful to know the model Mooney and condition to help suggest shops, some are good for annuals where there is little needed and others may be required to handle bigger or Mooney specific jobs that require expertise.

Wow, that's quite a change from the large, busy Top Gun I remember back when I lived and/or commuted to/from NorCal and they maintained my M20C & M20K!

--Up.

[gabez]

I use united at KWVI. Ask for Terry 

[M Terry]

Ive been very happy with the work done at the Arframe Company in Woodland O41. https://www.airframe.company/

Their IA is taking some time off so they wont be able to do my annual this year, so I'm having it done by Sundance at KOAK. I'll let you know how it goes

 

[201Mooniac]

22 hours ago, Jeff Uphoff said:

Wow, that's quite a change from the large, busy Top Gun I remember back when I lived and/or commuted to/from NorCal and they maintained my M20C & M20K!

--Up.

Yes, a few years ago the supply of A&Ps dried up and the ones they had moved on.  They still do a great job though just the scheduling is more difficult.