What do you do about maintenance?

[Andrew Gideon]

Picture an airport where MX services are limited. Perhaps because there's
no real shop at the airport, but maybe just a couple of independents that
work out of their hanger. Or perhaps there are shops but they're
"imperfect" (ie. unwilling to work on anything that's not scheduled two or
more weeks out, low quality work, or one or more other problems I'm sure
we've all experienced).

So what do you do?

For some MX work (ie. annuals, upgrades, avionics work, etc.), one can fly
to a shop that specializes in the airplane (or type of work). But what
about problems that leave the airplane grounded?

Is it just the luck of the draw with an airport, or is there an actual
solution out there?

Thanks...

Andrew

[Ron Rosenfeld]

On Sat, 01 Jul 2006 20:00:12 -0400, Andrew Gideon >
wrote:

>
>Picture an airport where MX services are limited. Perhaps because there's
>no real shop at the airport, but maybe just a couple of independents that
>work out of their hanger. Or perhaps there are shops but they're
>"imperfect" (ie. unwilling to work on anything that's not scheduled two or
>more weeks out, low quality work, or one or more other problems I'm sure
>we've all experienced).
>
>So what do you do?
>
>For some MX work (ie. annuals, upgrades, avionics work, etc.), one can fly
>to a shop that specializes in the airplane (or type of work). But what
>about problems that leave the airplane grounded?
>
>Is it just the luck of the draw with an airport, or is there an actual
>solution out there?
>
>Thanks...
>
> Andrew

Andrew,

I am based at an airport with no maintenance. On the few occasions when I
have had my a/c grounded, I call my maintenance facility and a mechanic
comes to me with the necessary equipment.

So far I've been able to describe the problems well enough that only one
trip was necessary.

So the solution is the same as any other airplane problem solution -- green
stuff in copious amounts <g>.


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)

[Stache]

You are right this is a real problem and will be get worse in the
future. Several of us mechanic were thinking the same thing since
there are hardly any young guys planning to replace us. We have been
kicking around the idea of a co-op of mechanics that have retired and
don't want to work full time, but would enjoy getting out and staying
active (on call). Several mechanics own aircraft and would fly off to
an airport to fix an airplane if requested.

The only problem he will have is communication. However the inter net
may solve that problem. What we need is a list of mechanics by state
and type of work willing to perform. The owner could go to the web
site fine a mechanic contact them by e-mail or phone and work out the
details. This could be an untapped market and benefit both owner and
mechanic.

Just one man's opinion.

Stache

[Jim Burns]

First, buy the maintenance manuals and parts manuals for your airplane,
become very familiar with them. The more correct information that you can
give an A&P before he looks at your airplane the easier it will be for him
and the cheaper it will be for you. The internet is a great resource for
parts and supplies, but having the part numbers makes things a lot easier.

Second, network. Where do other people on the airport get their work done?
Start a list of A&Ps in your area. Search the FAA database and compile a
second list of names not found on your first list. Contact some of these
people. Join your appropriate type clubs, groups, and local EAA chapter
They are invaluable resources. An EAA chapter is a great place to meet
retired A&P's that are interested in helping you do things right.

Compile your resources. What pilots/owners have what tools and or
equipment? What are the mechanical abilities and capabilities of the other
owners on the airport?

Talk to as many A&Ps as you can. Are any of them looking for extra part
time work in the evenings or on weekends? Who will let you help? What
about retired A&P's who may let you do the grunt work then sign it off for
you?

Are there any "seasonal" operations on or near your airport that may have
mechanics with spare time in between busy seasons or busy days of the week?
Think about ag operators, freight haulers, small 135 operators looking to
fill in their down times.

Don't forget about the owner approved maintenance list. Locate the periodic
maintenance checklists in the maintenance manual for your airplane. You'll
be able to do many of the listed items yourself.

Remember that an "annual" is an inspection, a local A&P can do any required
work then an AI can pay a visit to do the inspection.

Jim

[Robert M. Gary]

Been there. It sucks. Basically you've got to find the old A&P guy who
thought he'd retired and convience him to come out to help you on the
ramp when you have a problem. Luckily, the airports that are too small
to have roaming full time A&Ps are also too small to care that you're
working on the ramp.

-Robert
Andrew Gideon wrote:
> Picture an airport where MX services are limited. Perhaps because there's
> no real shop at the airport, but maybe just a couple of independents that
> work out of their hanger. Or perhaps there are shops but they're
> "imperfect" (ie. unwilling to work on anything that's not scheduled two or
> more weeks out, low quality work, or one or more other problems I'm sure
> we've all experienced).

[Denny]

I do the majority of my own maintenance... I use a mechanic at a
distant field for the stuff that has to be signed off, or I am
unwilling to do, and for annual, etc... If the bird is ever unflyable
I will use the mechanic on the field, or if he has his nose out of
joint I will have to hire a mechanic to come in... Several ships on the
field don't like the local mechanic and that is what they do
routinely...

denny