Determine Your Needs
The hardest part of getting a reliable quote from a maintenance facility is determining what work needs to be done. By carefully identifying your needs before you pick up the phone, you can save valuable time, get a more accurate quote, costs can be better controlled, downtimes minimized and the chance for the “unknowns” creeping into your project greatly reduced.
The more information that you provide on the work you require brings everyone closer to the same page. This includes taking a hard look at all the areas that often add expense and time to projects. Here are a few things to consider:
Airframe / Engine
- Determine best input date
- Describe required maintenance in detail
- Make note if you are using a tracking service or if the aircraft is operated on an AAIP program
- Evaluate the state of the aircraft including ADs, SBs and other service items as well as Time Change items that may be up for overhaul, etc.
- Identify any special programs or warranties that apply to your aircraft and engines.
Paint
- Are you planning on changing the paint scheme or retaining the existing scheme?
- Are you considering a two-tone or custom paint scheme?
- Do you want to apply any flags or logos?
- Is a registration number change involved?
Interior
- How are you currently operating the aircraft (ie charter, etc)
- What are your long-term plans for the aircraft?
- Do you want to upgrade the interior with newer style cabinets, seats, shell panels
- Do you want to change the configuration of the interior (ie. seating arrangement)
- Are you interested in a new entertainment package?
- Are you interested in a new acoustic / sound proofing package?
- Do you have the certification for the existing interior?
- How does the facility handle certification issues?
Certification issues are becoming more and more complex. When modifying existing cabinetry or interior components, you must have the certification for the existing interior as a starting point. This will need to be referenced when certification for modified areas is sought. In some instances, even higher levels of interior certification are required.
Avionics
- What is your ongoing plan for RVSM mandate compliance?
- What about TAWS?
- WAAS?
- What are your business needs while on the aircraft?
- High-speed data access?
- Computer?
- Printer / Fax?
- What are your personal/pleasure needs while on the aircraft?
- Entertainment / video game systems?
- Moving maps?
- TV / DVD players?
- Do you fly internationally with your aircraft?
Parts
- How many do you need?
- What is your budget?
- Where’s the best source?
Components
- Is the component under OEM warranty?
- Who is authorized to work on it?
- Repair downtime vs. Component exchange
- Are you interested in a loaner component during repair?
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