Based on years of surveys and our own experience, shops that keep customers happy are the ones that don’t overpromise, know how to communicate with their customers and don’t surprise them at the end of the job with big cost overruns. They also care for the aircraft as if it was their own. But there’s more to it than this.
At a time where long scheduling lead times, lengthy downtimes and complicated time-consuming interfaces are the norm, it’s more important than ever to choose a trusted shop and stick with it for the long term. Whether it’s routine wrenching, engine swaps, avionics upgrades or paint and interior projects, here’s a guide with things to consider when selecting a shop, plus tips for keeping the relationship on the rails along the way.