A&P Recommendations (IL, WI, IN)

Samir13k

Samir13k

Filing Flight Plan
Joined
Dec 15, 2024
Messages
5
Location
Schaumburg, IL
Display Name
Display name:
Samir
Hello All, proud new owner of a Mooney M20G
(N3640N)

I’m looking for a good mechanic in the Northern Illinois, Northwestern Indiana, or Southern Wisconsin area. I’m based out of 06C and am good with up to about a 3 hour drive or less for a good shop ideally. Not super concerned with them being a Mooney Specialist, but want a good A&P in general. The few I’ve called are booked out and won’t even schedule me. Annual is not due until May, but as it’s new to me, I’d like to get it in and have it looked over well, and also have the annual done before the busy season is in full swing. Bonus points for independent A&P’s.

I also would like to add G5’s at some point, if anyone has recs for a good avionics specialist then I’m all ears as well

IMG_9662.jpeg
 
Schaumburg used to have a Mooney shop - I’d try hunting down those guys first. If you need a list of Mooney shops to avoid (MN, TX), I got you covered. And congrats on the bird; she looks pretty.
 
Gene was the Mooney guy at Schaumburg, he retired and his phone number must have changed, I’ve been given it by 2 people and the numbers been disconnected unfortunately
 
PM me if you’d like my mechanic. He usually prioritizes to keep you flying. He travels.
 
Samir13k said:
Hello All, proud new owner of a Mooney M20G
(N3640N)
Click to expand...
Welcome to PoA, and Mooney ownership! That's a very good-looking bird you've got!
Samir13k said:
I’m looking for a good mechanic in the Northern Illinois, Northwestern Indiana, or Southern Wisconsin area. I’m based out of 06C and am good with up to about a 3 hour drive or less for a good shop ideally. Not super concerned with them being a Mooney Specialist, but want a good A&P in general. The few I’ve called are booked out and won’t even schedule me. Annual is not due until May, but as it’s new to me, I’d like to get it in and have it looked over well, and also have the annual done before the busy season is in full swing. Bonus points for independent A&P’s.
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There used to be a Mooney service center at 06C, but I think it was just one guy who is now retired as stated in other posts.

Luckily, there are enough Mooneys in the world that you can find people who do a pretty good job of normal maintenance on them in many places... Or at least, it's not any harder than it is for most other types. Unfortunately, I can't give a great recommendation for mx right now as I haven't been completely satisfied with anyone and I wish I could find a great A&P myself. There seems to be a fair amount of turnover when it comes to small GA maintenance, and the good mechanics seem to either become shop owners who then stop wrenching, or they jump ship for turbine jobs where they don't have to deal with whiny, cheap owners. :(
Samir13k said:
I also would like to add G5’s at some point, if anyone has recs for a good avionics specialist then I’m all ears as well
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Skycom Avionics at KUES. They aren't cheap, but they do great work and they get the job done right, on time, and on budget. And it's always cheaper to do it right than it is to do it again.
 
Welcome, neighbor!

I use Travel Express Aviation (TEA) at KDPA, a <5 minute hop from 06C. They're at the north ramp of the airport.
There's also JA Air at KARR in Aurora/Sugar Grove IL. It is expensive, but it was hard to argue with how thorough and knowledgeable they are. Their schedule was pretty busy when I was using them 2020-2022.

Re: installation. I got a G5 installed by Avionics Place at KRFD. It was fast, easy and professional and the price was on point. JA Air also does avionics installations (but will likely cost more than avionics place).

EDIT: I should note, none of these places specialize in Mooney (at least not that I'm aware of).
 
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RE avionics:
I talked w/ JA Air's Service Manager/Chief Inspector back in September 2024 about an estimate and scheduling of installing an engine monitor in my Skyhawk. At the time the avionics shop was booked into Summer 2025 and were not adding projects to their list.
My plane is currently under the knife at Poplar Grove Airmotive after talking w/ their sole avionics guy (John Hoem) at Oshkosh this year and then over email this summer/early fall. I hope to have the plane back around the first of the year so ask me how it went then...
 
mandm said:
PM me if you’d like my mechanic. He usually prioritizes to keep you flying. He travels.
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Do you mind shooting me a private message? For some reason, I don't think I ahve the ability to initiate one. I thought it was just because I was on mobile, but don't see it on desktop today either. (I swear I'm tech literate *enough*)
 
Samir13k said:
Do you mind shooting me a private message? For some reason, I don't think I ahve the ability to initiate one. I thought it was just because I was on mobile, but don't see it on desktop today either. (I swear I'm tech literate *enough*)
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There's a minimum number of posts to send PM's. I think it's five.
 
Samir13k said:
Do you mind shooting me a private message? For some reason, I don't think I ahve the ability to initiate one. I thought it was just because I was on mobile, but don't see it on desktop today either. (I swear I'm tech literate *enough*)
Click to expand...
Sent
 
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