mechanic wanted

[Edward Pencosky]

I am looking for a mechanic in the north East that works on comanche.I live on long island but he doesnt have to be here.Anyone know of one that is good and reasonable

[N3322G]

I have a lot of empathy for you.

Used to think my Illinois friends were 'silly' to bring their cabin class Cessna Conquest to Texas for the annual just because their mechanic moved here. After inheriting the Twin 17 years ago and now pay for all the maintenance, I understand why they made the flight.

I place a lot of value on the knowledge Clifton Aero (Clifton, TX 7F7) has of my Twin after the past 4 years of work they have done on it.

Best of luck in your search.

[Edward Pencosky]

looks like no one wants to work anymore Pat.

[N3322G]

Ed - sorry to see the lack of responses - wish I could help more.

Any help from your Tribe Chief or other owners in the area? Some folks just haven't gotten into the internet forum stuff yet. I've been known to call all PA-39 owners in a five state area when I needed a 39 part after looking them up on Pathfinder. Folks were really receptive and 2 offered to help so it is sort of bother but might help.

[Edward Pencosky]

pat bernard stumpf did email me back with his mechanic in westerly.

[N3322G]

I've taken to giving the shop a copy of the log books for reference with the originals at home and another copy in a safety deposit box since the re-sale is so dependent upon complete logbooks. After work is done, I get the sticky back log entries and leave a check before I depart.

At Clifton they always do a run-up before cowls are on and check for leaks. I am there for this. Then I do a test flight land, check again just taking off the cheek cowls and then fly home. This is after watching 1/3 to a 1/2 of the annual. This process developed after losing an engine two different times on departure at low altitudes because two different mechanics failed to correctly torque the b-nut so fuel starvation and fuel spraying on hot engines. Neither shop is in business any more. Husband happened to be flying and if we didn't practice single engine work, I wonder if he would have been as proficient - for sure, we would have gone down if the lame engine wasn't promptly feathered.

Now because I am retired, I 'participate' in the annual and stay overnight at a hotel to do so because I value the Comanche expertise at Clifton. No one is ever perfect - I personally left some screws loose on one side of the fuselage inspection panel forward of the stab - now I ask the Clifton guys to check my work, just like they check each other's work before they individually sign their logbook entries for their own work. After some really bad experiences and nearly selling the plane because it broke so often, I work as hard at keeping it maintained as I do flying it - guess which one is more fun.

[Clarence Beintema]

One sure method of assuring that the work is done correctly, take the shop foreman and the lead technician along for the test flight. It tends to heighten awareness of a good job.

I have no troubles flying in any plane we maintain, I may not sit in the back seat, as not all pilots are created equal.

Clarence

[N3322G]

Clarence - always good to hear. Tim Talley of Clifton Aero does the same.