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Good and Bad MECHANIC'S

IN CELEBRATION OF OUR 20TH YEAR SPECIALIZING IN MOONEY AIRCRAFT; Get your BRAND NEW PRE-PUBLISHED BOOK AVAILABLE FOR YOU NOW! "THOSE MOONEY AIRPLANES" by Richard Zephro; studying the Mooney since 1974; 38 year private pilot/owner of Mooneyland and author of the articles within this website. FLYING IS NOT CHEAP! Within this book we will discuss not only how to save money while owning your own airplane, we will discuss ways to save big bucks on purchase, ownership, maintenance, appearance (lipstick), and upgrades. Further; we will discuss matters of safely operating your prized BIRD, why Mooney is the safest (by far) in its class, and aid in the pure FUN of owning your own airplane. BOOK INCLUDES 25 CHAPTERS OF INFORMATION FOR MOONEY ENTHUSIASTS, OWNERS, AND ASPIRING OWNERS OF MOONEY AIRCRAFT IN PARTICULAR, APPLICABLE TO ALL AIRCRAFT OWNERS IN GENERAL AND INCLUDES 100 HOUR/ANNUAL INSPECTION GUIDE AND ALL ABOUT MOONEY AIRCRAFT; HOW TO KEEP THEM SAFELY FLYING (ON THE CHEAP) DO IT YOURSELF STUFF, WHAT TO WATCH FOR, AND INCLUDES 124 FULL SIZE PAGES OF INFORMATION AND PHOTOS. (Includes some reprints and references from Mooneyland and tons of NEW information at your fingertips) 2 NEW CHAPTERS JUST ADDED: "HOW MUCH DOES IS COST TO OWN AN AIRPLANE" and "MEMOIRS OF A MOONEY BUYER".

GET YOUR PDF COPY IN ADVANCE OF PUBLICATION EMAILED DIRECTLY TO YOU FOR $39.95; A TEN DOLLAR SAVINGS PRIOR TO PUBLICATION. CLICK ON THE "BUY NOW" PAYPAL LINK BELOW, PURCHASE THE BOOK AND I WILL PERSONALLY EMAIL IT TO YOU IMMEDIATELY. (2MB) in size. (this is the first of a series of must have books to come by author; Richard Zephro and you will automatically receive any updates, revisions, & additions to this BOOK).

Enjoy & learn, learn, and LEARN! Richard "zef" Zephro

ACTUAL BOOK REVIEW FEEDBACK

"Zef, Almost done with your book! I'm reading slower so it won't be done! It's a great read not only for Mooniacs, but for anyone who wants to be a plane owner. " Bill Custer

"Dear Mr. Zephro, Your new book is the most informative that I have read not just about Mooneys but about the ownership process for any brand of airplane. I look forward to reading the rest of the series once you write those." Ed Harris

"Wow, what an interesting and informative book! You've made me rethink the buying process and I am grateful not just for that, but for all of the articles you have written about Mooney's and flying in general. You have a way to help make people think. Please keep writing!" Art Mingle

"Mr. Z, This is the best 40 bucks that I have ever spent! There are so many outlined ways to save money while learning so much about airplanes in general and I believe that I'll be a better pilot for it. Keep up the great work and good luck with your new book" Jim Dougherty

***NEW PACKAGE DEAL OFFERING!***

For the MOONEY Enthusiasts Must Have KIT

For a LIMITED TIME you can order all the ammunition a Mooney Owner or Potential Mooney Owner needs in ONE SPECIALLY PRICED PACKAGE YOU GET:

1. "Those Mooney Airplanes" (the New Ebook described at left), a $39.95 value.

2. Mooney Inspections PDF (For pre-purchase inspections as well as info on how and what to watch for and prevent developing problems in your existing Mooney airplane), a $99.00 value.

3. Mooney Maintenance/Parts/Service CD (huge source of information sent to your mailing address), a $55.94 (including shipping & handling) value.

Total Value of this Mooney Enthusiast Package is: $194.89.

Your Mooney package price for a limited time: $155.94 (including shipping) A savings of $38.95!

Simply indicate on your Paypal payment that you want the "Set of Three", or click Paypal HERE:

Please Indicate on your order whether you have Earth/Beige or Grey Tones Interior. Each order my vary in color but this will compliment your Tones.

BAD or LOUSY MECHANICS! Good ones TOO!

Okay yous guys.... If you've spent any time at all on my website or if you've read my new book "Those Mooney Airplanes" you will learn that I feel the weakest link to reasonably priced ownership is not so much running lean of peak to save fuel, or cutting costs in other areas, but I place the difference of happy ownership vs. being run out of aviation financially all together to blame as to the MECHANIC you choose. PLEASE DO NOT DOWN-PLAY the importance of finding a good honest mechanic! I so mean that because I have witnessed owner after owner having to get out of ownership solely because of the mechanic they choose who wants to pay his monthly nut with each maintenance bill. It is always a good idea to get references for any mechanic you may choose.

As this world is running out of "OLD-SCHOOLER'S" and into the next generation of "know-it-all types" (that don't know squat) that know little more than how to artificially inflate a repair bill we all need to watch what is happening to those we choose to maintain our loving Mooney birds.

I have added this page for one reason and one reason only; that is to begin registering complaints as well as kudu's to those that remain in it for the love of the beast as opposed to the "bottom line" profits.

There is little doubt that any mechanic that exists in it for the love of aviation; you will get a reasonably good mechanic of whom deserves your trust. The rest of them can go screw themselves as far as I'm concerned because they put the ALMIGHTY BUCK ahead of your safety and bank account!

In this new world of "screw you tactics" I want to alert you of mechanics that I want you to stay away from. I don't take this lightly because of so many variables, but I CHARGE YOU to tell me about your "NIGHTMARE'S" you've experienced so that we can attempt to keep a running list of those "screw-artists" you should shy away from, so please feel free to share your experiences especially the negative ones, but don't be afraid to share with everyone those whom have deserved your trust! Once this page gets updated with time; we should all then be able to access this page to included the area of the Country that you feel good about as well mechanic wise.

Meanwhile here's my story about a particular shop in the Northwest. I look forward to reading and re-printing your horror stories as well as your good experiences with aircraft MECHANIC'S!

Average mechanic's will not make this page. Only really good to great mechanic's will as also really lousy money-based mechanic's will, and we're going to name names! I'm sick of hearing about horror stories; screwings, and incompetence so here we go.... each mechanic or shop listed will survive or thrive on their own merit, and should some of you shops/mechanic's disagree about what is reported by pilot/owners we will be more than happy to investigate further, but remember that you will only make this list if you are reported extra good or extra bad and why.

This list can be used by the flying public so as to help them choose the best shop within their local area for use consideration, and the more reports we receive from YOU, the more useful this list will be in time. Submit your experience with MECHANIC'S.

CUSTOMER	AIRCRAFT	MECHANIC NAME	SHOP	CITY	STATE	YAY or BOO
Richard Zephro	M20-K 231	Tom Kopczynski	Reliant Aviation	Albany	Oregon	Boo

REMARKS: My experience with this shop and this mechanic was a nightmare. I had located a Mooney 231 for a customer who chose this shop to do the pre-purchase inspection. This mechanic and possibly the shop owner not only lied about the condition of the airplane having "flown it himself", he reported none of the discrepancies with the aircraft in flight including a non working altitude encoder, an auto pilot that did not work properly to name a few, but he also reported the airplane to be in great shape overall when it was not. We specifically asked him to check the health and condition of the cylinders of which he gave two thumbs up. Just as soon as the plane was delivered to my customer and having his own mechanic check the plane again, it required an immediate top overhaul of the cylinders as well as several other items not caught by this Albany Oregon shop. As it turned out the mechanic knew the owner/seller of the airplane and he felt a loyalty to lie about the condition of the bird which he did in spades.

Further; part of my commission on this airplane was a $500.00 over-payment that he was aware would take place and that was to be part of my sales commission. To spite the many requests and promises to get back to me, Tom Kopcynski chose not to send me the money and kept it for himself later refusing all together to return my phone calls.

I don't say this often, but I urge you to stay away from such crooked practices as is evident by the way these people choose to conduct business. Although it is up to each customer to approve the inspection shop as did this buyer; and because Reliant Aviation chose to lie about the condition of the airplane (which is very rare in my experience); I was shorted not only the $500.00 the shop owed me, but the customer being a self admitted "slick attorney asshole" (customer's words not mine), he held back about 40% of the commission due me on top of it all. I will also state that the attorney customer more or less took over the over-site of the inspection thinking that he knew more than my experience level and being more or less squeezed out of the deal; I was not fully able to follow up to help insure that the mechanic was telling the truth; something I usually get to the bottom of when I am allowed to do my job. No matter about the commission; but for a shop to lie about an airplane's condition could be found guilty of murder should anyone ever get into an accident due to mechanical deficiencies hidden by a crooked mechanic such as was done here.

My advice? STAY AWAY FROM RELIANT AVIATION of ALBANY OREGON! They were found to be way less than honest people.

CUSTOMER	AIRCRAFT	MECHANIC NAME	SHOP	CITY	STATE	YAY or BOO
Richard Zephro and Others	Mooney	Boyd Maddox	Boyd Maddox	West Houston	Texas	Yay

REMARKS: Boyd Maddox is an old-schooler. He comes from a time whereby people took pride in learning all there was to learn in his or her craft and Boyd is no exception. His experience with aircraft in general but especially his love the Mooney; you will always be in great hands having Boyd look into your airplane's condition. I can not over-state this man's experience level and almost as important, his caring! If you're anywhere around Houston Texas, drop in and meet Boyd and his wonderful wife Emily at Houston Southwest Airport (AHX). Boyd is not money-driven; he is safety driven.

CUSTOMER	AIRCRAFT	MECHANIC NAME	SHOP	CITY	STATE	YAY or BOO
Richard Zephro and Others	Mooney	Ron Fisher	Fisher Aviation	San Antonio	Texas	Yay

Ron Fisher is a workaholic! He works the midnight shift for a major airline at night and runs his Mooney specialty business by day. When asked why; he plans on retiring on some tropical island some day and no one deserves that eventuality more than Ron does. You will find Ron to be as experienced a mechanic as you will ever find and his bills are nearly always way less than you will find elsewhere. Ron has probably done more work for me and my customers than anyone I have ever used or recommended; yet he has yet to give me a single emergency due to improper workmanship, so he has my full confidence as an honest hard working and knowledgeable mechanic, plus he genuinely cares. He is also a Mooney owner himself and to spite running out of gas in his own plane once in awhile, he's not a bad pilot in his own right. ;o)

CUSTOMER	AIRCRAFT	MECHANIC NAME	SHOP	CITY	STATE	YAY or BOO
Richard Zephro and Others	Mooney	Ronnie Kramer	Dugosh Aviation	Kerrville	Texas	Yay

What can I say? The Dugosh reputation precedes them. I have seen and even used shops that charge well over $100.00 per hour of work; yet Dugosh seems to be able to be the best of the best at a fraction of that cost. There are no more honest people in this business than at Dugosh Aviation and their knowledge of the Mooney animal is second to none. I could go on with story after story about them but suffice it to say that if it is Dugosh that is taking care of your Mooney; you can bet that it is a well maintained safe aircraft that leaves no doubt as to that fact. When you call Dugosh chances are that you will first speak with a wonderfully experienced lady named Vannette. The only problem with Dugosh Aviation is getting an appointment to work on your airplane because most of their annual inspection work is booked a year in advance by Mooney owners who don't want to take a chance not having an appointment for their next annual inspection. Once in awhile you can get lucky and get a spot for work to be done, but plan on giving them as much lead time as possible to help ensure an appointment. I have never heard a single derogatory statement by any Mooney owner who has had work done at Dugosh. They too are old-schoolers that believe that the only right way to do a job is the "RIGHT WAY"!

CUSTOMER	AIRCRAFT	MECHANIC NAME	SHOP	CITY	STATE	YAY or BOO
Jake Jacobs	M20J	Shop	Whitehawk	Culpepper	Virginia	Yay

White Hawk at Culpeper, Va CJR does my work locally. They are a top notch honest group that can be relied on. And very reasonable $$$ wise./Cheers/Jake

As always; Mooneyland has your back!

Enjoy & learn, learn, and LEARN! Richard "zef" Zephro

Package deal of the Mooney Kit of 3 available at a discount (see main Mooneyland.com or Master Navigation page for details)

Fly safe; Fly a Mooney!

zef You need THIS and THIS (Package price available) and THIS

Hey now, who's got your back? You know dats right!

FOR EASIER SITE NAVIGATION GO HERE:

Mooneyland highly recommends Tom "TJ" Johnson for any and all AVIATION INSURANCE NEEDS.

www.airpowerinsurance.com *** www.warbirdinsurance.com

Or call Tom Johnson "TJ" direct at: 602 628-2701. Ask TJ to give you the great and personal service he has given so many of our Mooneyland customers. zef said so!