Mooney mechanic night mare

[nels]

Does anybody know a competent A&P or IA at the South Saint Paul Municiple Airport? I am trying to get my Mooney annualed up there or put back into condition to get a ferry permit to fly it back to Cincinnati. Repair work that was supposed to take a month is now at fourteen months and counting. Plane had a light gear up last year and was ferried from Pennsylvania to Minnesota. Most of the work is complete but I see no end in sight and no work is being or has been done in months. All I seem to get is BS!

Any recommendations??

[firefly201]

Contact Bruce @ Willmar Air Service just West of St. Paul. A Mooney Sevice Center

[danb35]

I don't believe Bruce Jaeger is still with Willmar Air Service, but they're still a well-regarded MSC AFAIK.

[PTK]

Repair work that was supposed to take a month is now at fourteen months and counting.

What's taking so long? I hope it's not parts availability!

[Alan Fox]

Not the parts , I spoke w/nels ....He is getting jerked around.......

[PTK]

That's some serious, heavy duty jerking around!

[nels]

What's taking so long? I hope it's not parts availability!

There really is no good reason, just a continual number of what appears to be lame excuses. I don't think there is a lot to do in order to get it ferriable. The sheet metal work has been accomplished but seats are out, some inspection panels off the plane etc. I've made several trips by ground to check on progress and try to light a fire under his butt. I think the plane could be put back into flying condition for ferry purposes in a day or maybe two. I just can't get the guy to work on it.

[scottfromiowa]

I ferried my Mooney after gear-up with gear down and locked after a new engine was hung and before any belly panels were replaced. My only concern was that engine was sound. Belly panels and nose gear doors were replaced later along with right inboard flap hinge. Get it out of there already!

[nels]

I ferried my Mooney after gear-up with gear down and locked after a new engine was hung and before any belly panels were replaced. My only concern was that engine was sound. Belly panels and nose gear doors were replaced later along with right inboard flap hinge. Get it out of there already!

That is how I had it ferried to Minn. Belly, doors, landing gear etc. are all finished. I just can't get the guy to move further on it so I want to get it ferried back home. I have a shop lined up at Lunken airport here in Cincinnati that is willing to finish the job. I just need it fly able to get it here.

[Lood]

Have you paid him anything?

[nels]

Have you paid him anything?

Unfortunately I have. I am pretty much current.

[FloridaMan]

I'd contact Willmar. I'm not even sure why you wouldn't have dealt with them to begin with. 

[nels]

I'd contact Willmar. I'm not even sure why you wouldn't have dealt with them to begin with.

I just got back into flying about two years ago. I always wanted a Mooney and was trying to buy one and justify the expenditure. I have learned my lesson. ...."there is nothing more expensive than a cheap airplane!"

[Skywarrior]

I have dealt with similar difficulties re: an electronics repairman, years ago. He had severe mental problems. I would yank that plane out of there immediately. On a truck, if you have to.

[skeptic]

I would show up unannounced one morning and have the airplane towed out of his hangar to another location on the field while you are present.  Take all the parts with you (rent a truck if necessary).  Then arrange for another mechanic to get the airplane in condition for a ferry flight.  I would not let anyone on the field know about your plans until you show up that morning to "reclaim" the airplane.

[scottfromiowa]

If you are paid up get it out of there already. Plane should not take much to ferry. Not understanding why anyone would allow themselves to be held hostage for this length of time? Monticello IA is on your way to Cincinnati. My IA could get you going. I majored everything firewall forward. One piece belly installed and was completed in three months. Major was most time. Sorry you are going through all of this. Why did you go there in first place?

[nels]

I don't think I would have a problem getting the plane. I think he has pulled it out of the hangar to work on others. I imagine the interior etc is still in the hangar. He also has the log books. I just need someone else, another mechanic, on that field to take up the tail end of the project. It has been dormant since late last year.

[PTK]

Nels this is absolutely bizarre. You've paid him and for a day or two of finish up work you want to ferry it because he is refusing to finish it? And is holding you and your plane hostage? Why is he refusing to finish it? Have you considered legal action? 

 

As a rule I would never leave original log books with a shop. If they need log books provide them on a thumb drive or copies.

[rockydoc]

I certainly don't know the intimate details of your relationship with the mechanic.  But, having been in similar situations in the past in my life, let me share what my experience has taught me about resolving these types of matters.  First off, it doesn't really matter who is right, who is wrong, who did what, who didn't do what.  What you need now is to bring a totally unacceptable situation to conclusion.  That being said, go to your mechanic, hat in hand, and make a sincere apology to him for anything you have done to cause such a horrible break down in communication between the two of you.  Praise him, build him up and accept 100% of the blame yourself--laying it all on "bad communication."  After all, isn't that what most of life's problems get down too.  i.e. bad communication.  Tell him that it is important to you that you treat him fairly and appeal to his sense of fair play to tell you what he needs from you to get your airplane, log books, interior, etc. out of his shop.  After all, what have you got to loose by using that approach.  You're getting NOWHERE now.  Good luck whether you do it this way or not.

[PTK]

I certainly don't know the intimate details of your relationship with the mechanic. But, having been in similar situations in the past in my life, let me share what my experience has taught me about resolving these types of matters. First off, it doesn't really matter who is right, who is wrong, who did what, who didn't do what. What you need now is to bring a totally unacceptable situation to conclusion. That being said, go to your mechanic, hat in hand, and make a sincere apology to him for anything you have done to cause such a horrible break down in communication between the two of you. Praise him, build him up and accept 100% of the blame yourself--laying it all on "bad communication." After all, isn't that what most of life's problems get down too. i.e. bad communication. Tell him that it is important to you that you treat him fairly and appeal to his sense of fair play to tell you what he needs from you to get your airplane, log books, interior, etc. out of his shop. After all, what have you got to loose by using that approach. You're getting NOWHERE now. Good luck whether you do it this way or not.

Good luck! You've been ignored for 14 months...not one or two! How long do you need before you can safely assume this mechanic doesn't value the relationship?! How long do you need to be deprived of your airplane? Isn't this worth something? What is the usual and customary down time for your type of repairs?

If you want your plane back you need to play hard ball and show some sharp saber teeth.

The threat of a law suit and the negative publicity should be enough to get your plane finished.

[jlunseth]

Why not go to Wipaire.  They are on the field at Fleming.  They are not going to be cheap and they are not Mooney specific, but if you need to get the plane into flying condition they can do it. 

 

However, I second the motion on Willmar.  They are very good.  At the moment they are also very busy, I was just out there last Friday.  Talk to Brian or Eric at Willmar, they are on the internet at www.willmarairservice.com .  They do quite a few gear ups every year.

 

Willmar, however, is about an hour and a half flight from Fleming, so you either need to get the plane flyable or they will need to disassemble and trailer .

[bnicolette]

So sorry for your troubles. What a re-entry into aviation. As if its not enough trouble sometimes just trying to justify our toys and passion.

I agree with Allsmiles. Time for niceties is over. That shop having your plane for that long you've obviously be more patient than most on this board would've been. Get some help and get your plane back.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[bumper]

What would Ann Landers or Dear Abby say?

 

 

Seriously, I'm with the get it out of there crowd, that is unless you can get him back to work using guilt, kindness, etc. Sure's hell don't want someone working on your plane who is pissed off at you. In any case, sorry you're going through this.

 

bumper

[thinwing]

Wipaire...They actually are your best choice right now...1 they are on the field and can do any repair.2 they can check out quality of sheet metal work and riveting since unlike the Mooney factory they currently are doing manufactoring of  amphibous floats and have the best sheet metal shop in Minnesota.3 While at Oshcosh a couple years ago I was interested in synthetic vision upgrade to my Mooney g500...of all the avionics shops I talked to it was the Wipaire avionics division that gave me the best price and was willing to taxi out to appleton airport for the install...everybody else was too busy trying to make the BIG deal.4 besides building and installing floats they are used to doing complete refurbishing..so even though they donot specialize in Mooneys they are used to working in tight spaces (ever see the retract mechanism inside of a pair of Wipline amphib floats?)Trucking the bird out is not a viable option and its unlikely your existing shop is going to issue a ferry  permit....good luck and sorry your current shop is not getting the job done...this usually happens when certain key parts become not availble...

[bnicolette]

Meanwhile the engine hasn't been run for over a year.  Nels do what you have to, to get it completed.  Somebody else on the field would be optimal obviously.