AvWorks Aerospace Inc. - Calgary

Excellent Service!

Great customer service from these guys, Kelli is outstanding!

Came with good recommendations to perform the pre-buy as well as import process for a Canadian aircraft into the US. Unfortunately, that was where the good ended. Spoke to Mark Bushrod initially and he indicated the process would cost about $6500 Canadian plus another C$2000 for the US airworthiness certificate. Once the aircraft was moved to the AvWorks hangar for the work, started working with Dru as Mark was in Europe. Had a couple of conversations with Dru after the pre-buy - identified that the aircraft was missing battery cover and some other minor items. Agreement was that the pre-buy would be performed so as to also identify items that need to be correct for the import. With that said we re-negotiated deal based on items found ($300 less than asking). Since then communication with Dru / AvWorks were pretty much non-existent. I had to get messages back and forth through the seller's broker. Finally about 3 weeks out (a week waiting for the DAR) all the inspections needed for the import were completed (pre-buy, 100Hr inspection, visit from DAR for airworthiness, etc.). Received an invoice from AvWorks - just shy of C$ 16,000 - just like that. No notice of the additional costs or the reasons why. In looking at the breakdown labor was the largest chunk (about 96 Hrs @ C$104/hr). By this time Mark was back from his Europe trip, spoke to Mark and he indicated that there was additional paperwork work needed to get the Export C of A (this was in addition to a separate line item on the invoice for about C$1800 - which I believe was paid to an outside agency). Expressed my dissatisfaction with the lack of communication - he agreed they need to do a better job. Mark promised to include upgraded placards for the aircraft. Payment for entire amount was wired over to AvWorks. Aircraft was delivered the next week - placard on the aircraft were Avery stickies (so much for the upgrade). Interior needed a serious cleaning as well (no damage, but just needed a good scrub). Needless to say, I will not be using or recommend AvWork for an aircraft export / import.

This year, I chose to use Avworks' owner-assisted maintenance program for my annual on my 1979 Cessna 172XP. I wanted to be more hands-on to learn more about my plane, and to find a way to curb the high costs typically associated with annuals, while having fun! I took two days off (it was like a holiday) and I was pleased that I was able to carry out a lot of the work on my plane with the guidance of Drew, including preparing the plane for inspection, compression testing and removal and inspection of a few other items on the plane. I would do it again - I met really good people, worked in a nice hanger, and met my own goals by being more informed on my plane, while saving over 50% on what I typically spend on maintenance each year.

Great service really doesn't say enough. Professional all the way might convey the right message. The guys at AvWorks have gone the extra mile to bail me out on two seperate occasions. I would have been grounded for weeks had Mark and crew not jumped in with their get it done attitude and quite literally got it done! They saved me weeks of airline travel by getting my bird back in service. The AvWorks shop can handle almost any level of repair and service, true to their website. I have recommended AvWorks to other pilot owners in the area and their experience mirrors mine. I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else, why would I when we have the best right here in YBW!