The Three Cs of Aircraft Maintenance: Competent, Communicative, Cooperative
Why Choosing the Right Maintenance Shop Is Essential for Every Pilot-Owner.
Aircraft maintenance can either protect your investment—or drain your wallet and confidence. It depends on the shop you choose and how you work with them.
Over the past two weeks, I spoke with two aircraft owners who shared similar frustrations. In both cases, the issues boiled down to poor communication, questionable decisions, and unexpected costs. And in both cases, the owners admitted they had not followed the basic rules for cost-effective aircraft maintenance.
These stories highlight the importance of finding the right maintenance partner—someone who embodies the Three Cs: Competence, Communication, and Cooperation.
Let’s take a look at what can go wrong—and how to get it right.
Real-Life Lessons from the Hangar
Even the most experienced pilot-owners can fall into the trap of trusting the wrong shop. Below are a few cautionary tales from the ramp that show how aircraft maintenance can quickly become costly and confusing without the right approach.
💸 The Mooney ELT Mistake and Inflated Inspection Hours
A Mooney owner recently shared a story that should concern any aircraft owner. His maintenance shop reported that his ELT was unserviceable and gave him three replacement options. However, they failed to mention that only one option was compatible with his existing cockpit switch.
He unknowingly selected an incompatible unit. Instead of advising him or checking compatibility, the shop installed the ELT anyway—and rewired the entire system. What started as a €1,600 estimate turned into a €4,000 invoice.
Worse still, the shop billed 22 labour hours for the engine portion of the 100-hour/annual inspection. When questioned, the mechanic said the CAMO had added the 50-hour inspection on top. That’s concerning, since the 50-hour is typically a subset of the 100-hour—essentially double-charging for overlapping tasks.
🔧 The Piper Turbo Arrow and the “Worn” Bushings
Another owner, flying a pristine Piper PA-28RT-201T Turbo Arrow, had similar issues. He told me that a previous maintenance provider had replaced several bushings, claiming they were worn beyond limits.
Being cautious, he asked to keep the removed parts. A different shop later inspected them—and confirmed they were still well within tolerances.
That same owner also shared a story about being billed for more labour hours in a week than the shop’s working hours allowed. Yes—he was charged for more hours than could have physically been worked in five days. That’s not just sloppy—that’s dishonest.
🌡️ The “Fixed” CHT Problem
Even well-meaning mechanics sometimes take shortcuts. A mechanic once told me about a customer complaining of high cylinder head temperature (CHT) on one cylinder.
The shop couldn’t identify the issue, so they quietly disconnected the probe and reconnected it to a different cylinder—one with normal readings. The result? No more CHT warning… but also no real solution. The underlying issue was never found or fixed.
This story might sound extreme, but it’s more common than most pilots would like to believe. And it proves why pilot-owners must stay actively involved in the aircraft maintenance process.
Choose the Right Shop for Aircraft Maintenance
Selecting the right shop is the foundation of cost-effective aircraft maintenance. It’s not about choosing the cheapest or the closest. It’s about choosing the best available shop within one flight hour.
So, what defines the “right” shop?
It comes down to three qualities: Competence, Communication, and Cooperation.
🧠 Competence: More Than Just a Licence
Competence means more than holding a certificate. A competent shop understands your aircraft type inside and out. They know the common issues, the proper procedures, and the current regulations.
More importantly, they understand their legal and technical responsibilities. A release to service doesn’t mean the aircraft is perfectly airworthy—it means the work was completed in accordance with the manufacturer’s Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA).
Competent mechanics don’t blindly replace parts. They troubleshoot logically. They ask for data. They work with you to find root causes—not band-aid solutions.
📞 Communication: Keep the Owner in the Loop
The best shops communicate clearly, early, and often.
They contact you when unexpected issues arise. They don’t assume they can make expensive decisions on your behalf. Instead, they explain your options and help you make informed choices.
When a shop sends an invoice filled with surprises, that’s a problem. Good communication should prevent shock—and build trust. You should always know what’s happening, why it’s needed, and what it will cost.
🤝 Cooperation: A Team Effort for Safer, Smarter Maintenance
Aircraft maintenance is not a one-way street. It’s a collaboration between owner, mechanic, and sometimes other vendors.
Good shops welcome your input. They work with you—not around you. If you bring in engine data, they consider it. If you ask for an inspection of a removed part, they agree without hesitation.
They also coordinate with others—such as avionics technicians, engine monitor specialists, or CAMOs. That spirit of cooperation ensures better decisions and reduces unnecessary costs.
⚖️ Let’s Be Honest: Add Character to the List
We believe every shop should also demonstrate honesty and integrity.
The aviation industry relies on trust. That’s why transparency matters just as much as technical know-how. Aircraft maintenance should be owner-involved, data-driven, and clearly documented.
You deserve a shop that tells you what’s necessary, what’s optional, and what’s still under investigation. No guesswork. No shady charges. No half-truths.
✈️ Take Control of Your Aircraft Maintenance Journey
Aircraft maintenance doesn’t have to be a nightmare. But it does require you, the pilot-owner, to take responsibility.
Start by choosing a shop that is competent, communicative, and cooperative. Add honesty and transparency to that list, and you’ll find a maintenance partner—not just a service provider.
Owning and operating an aircraft should be empowering—not overwhelming. With the right team on the ground, it absolutely can be.
We help owners of Continental– and Lycoming-powered aircraft take control of their maintenance journey. Through our Pilot-Owner Accelerator, we provide independent, expert-led guidance to ensure you make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and work effectively with your maintenance team—every step of the way.
About Quest Aeronautics
Quest Aeronautics is a state-certified engineering office for aviation, dedicated to shaping the future of general aviation by providing innovative and cost-effective solutions to enhance aircraft performance and operations. With a focus on CS/FAR-23 and experimental/amateur-built (E/A-B) aircraft, Quest Aeronautics provides a range of services including flight testing, aircraft operations and maintenance consulting, high-quality aviation products, and tailored support for E/A-B projects. Collaborating with industry-leading partners, Quest Aeronautics is committed to delivering unparalleled support and expertise to individuals and organisations in the general aviation market.
About Author
Sebastian, the founder of Quest Aeronautics, is a driven and enthusiastic individual with a passion for aviation. Before delving into aviation, he gained valuable experience as a chemical process engineer and laboratory technician. Sebastian holds a Master of Science in Engineering and a commercial pilot licence, with several fixed-wing aircraft ratings under his belt. He has also completed an introduction course for fixed-wing performance and flying qualities flight testing at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, CA and is compliance verification engineer for flight.