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So, what do finding a great restaurant and choosing an MRO for your business aircraft have in common? Probably lot more than you think. Successfully finding either requires and some really good luck.\
“If you are new to the particular type of aircraft, then the best first step is to ask around other owner/operators with the same type and see who they use for maintenance.
The Hunt is On
Take the time to visit MRO’s facility long before you need to schedule the work. Meet with heir team. Look at how their facility is laid out. Is it clean and organized?
“The number one thing is to ask questions about their experience with your aircraft and about the skill levels f the technicians who will be working on your aircraft, “he said. “Also, ask to see referrals and references for other customers operating the same type of aircraft and then contact those references yourself. “
All kinds of unforeseen issues can come up during the maintenance event whether it’s a discrepancy or an incident or just something that falls outside the work scope-you need open, honest, direct communications throughout the project.”
Yours, Mine and Ours…
It seems like one gigantic cliché, but you really do want to find an MRO that treats your airplane like it is one of theirs.
Our experts all agreed that one way to help assure that you are going to get that kind of attention is to select an MRO that is large enough to have dedicated service representatives, or whomever is doing the quote, with an accurate, well planned and highly detailed TO-DO list for the event.”
Along with the “to-do” list, you also need to include all of the detailed information about the aircraft, its usage. A detailed inventory of all recent maintenance tasks and modifications and whatever you feel is important for the MRO to know about. As long as it’s well organized and accurate, an MRO can never have too much information about your airplane.
Another way to approach your quote requests is it ask the shops if they offer “flat-rate” pricing for the particular type of work you need done.
Also, don’t overlook the need to ask the shop about their warranty policy. No two are the same. “you want the warranty program in writing before you deliver your airplane.”
Some Things Just Won’t Add Up
Okay, the quotes are in and you’ve reviewed them in detail to make sure you fully understand what they include. The only problem is, one of them is way, way lower than the others. “
“This is when you would ask them how many times they have completed this kind of work on your kind or airplane in the past year or so. Now’s the time to reaffirm their level of experience.”
And, like in most things, the lowest quote is rarely the best quote. You should never jeopardize quality and service for a lower price.
“It’s not only about the pricing, but also the right scheduling and support. Remember, no part of an aircraft’s maintenance is solitary event. It’s all connected. “Many shops are understaffed, so planning well in advance gives you a better chance of getting the maintenance you need at the shop you want to work with. You can’t lose sight that the aircraft’s owner had their schedules also. They ant the airplane when they want the airplane, so good long-range planning and co-ordination with the owner’s and the shops schedules will help avoid any unpleasant situations.”