Maintenance - who do you use???

[RR Driver]

Wondered if any of you guys had a recommendation for amaintenance company ideally in the north of England.


I have a TB200 basedin Manchester Barton (no Maintenance there at the moment) and looking toestablish a long term relationship with a maintenance company, would appreciateany recommendations (or horror stories) for northern based maintenancecompanies.

[maxred]

I have a TB200 basedin Manchester Barton (no Maintenance there at the moment) and looking toestablish a long term relationship with a maintenance company, would appreciateany recommendations (or horror stories) for northern based maintenancecompanies.

Good luck!!!!!!!!

This is not the place to trash, or otherwise, any company, or organisation. Plenty to read about on here reference the horror stories. My advice is to research thoroughly potential parties, if this can be seconded by someone who can vouch for them, all the better. I also suggest that it may take two or three attempts to get the partner you look for. It is not easy however. I can PM you with a couple of suggested options.

[mrmum]

It's not exactly an answer to your question, but have you thought of looking on G-INFO for owners/operators of TB200s (although there aren't many), or other similar socata types, then contact them.
Are there any owner's groups you could join, that may be a good source of recommendations or warnings.
I would say though, that as a private owner, (rather than a flying school), it's perhaps less important to have your maintenance organisation on your doorstep.
I'd be more concerned with getting the right company, who ideally are experienced with the type and will do a good job, even if it's an hour or two's flight away.

[ppl_fresher]

@RRD I suggest you try the socata forums - socata.org.

[A and C]

Why not drop into the local flying clubs like the LAC and Flight acadamy Barton. If I know the boss of FAB I would guess he has some forthright views about maintenance and those who provide it !

[peterh337]

There are very very few TB200s anywhere, especially in the UK.

But it is just a TB10 (essentially) with fuel injection and 20HP extra.

My suggestion is to do your own 50hr checks, accompanied by an engineer for the less trivial bits of the job (and the lower cowling is a 2-man job anyway). That will ensure the work is done well, and will save you loads of £££.

Then find a company familiar with TB20s. They ought to do an Annual for ~£2000, but you will need to pay them a few hundred extra to actually do the stuff that should be done i.e. proper greasing (NOT spray "lube" which is what most firms do) of control linkages etc. That ought to do it. Having fixed gear saves you maybe £300 on the Annual, over a TB20.

TBs are very easy to work on.

I have owned a TB20GT since new in 2002.