AVSTAR Aircraft of Washington, Inc.

Meet our Customers!

At AVSTAR Aircraft of Washington, Inc., we have the best customers! Take a look at some of the kind things they have to say.

Contact us for your next aircraft maintenance, repair or alteration and you could see yourself on our list of satisfied customers.

Customer Comments

Rich W. Beech J35 Bonanza 36T

Hello Mike,
Thank you for a job well done. When I called about having a ruddervator re-skinned on my 1958 "J" Model Bonanza you provided me a detailed cost estimate and time required for the work. The project was completed on time and the new ruddervator looks great.

Thanks
Ken B. Helio Courier H-295 71V

Dear Mike:
I want to thank you and your crew for the great job you did on our 1970 Helio Courier, H-295. This was a challenging job that very few shops could have handled.

Your work was not only well executed, it was on budget, and on time as well. I hope to fly in for a visit, sometime in not too long. Maybe you can break away for a fun ride in "Isabel".
John H. Beech M35 Bonanza 76R

Hi Mike,
I thought I would update you on 76R.
It has been great - I'd have to say I'm very satisfied with what you did for me.

Paula and I flew to Chandler 3 weeks ago--via Twin Falls and St George Utah--she had the plane loaded as she normally does--I really like the way it climbs--I've only been to 14,000 feet, but I'm confident it will easily climb a lot higher--I'm really pleased with that.

Tina fixed the #2 probe on the CHT before we left--it was as you had suggested and now everything on the 930 seems to be working fine--and I'm comfortable with it.

We changed the oil at 16 hours before I left--put in 100 plus--it used less than 1 quart by the time I arrived in Phoenix. Tina also cut open the oil filter--we did see small sparkles- what appeared to be normal according to her.

I was able to wash and wax the plane when we were in Chandler--it looks pretty good right now- We arrived back in Wenatchee last Wednesday just before the first snowstorm and now have the plane safe in my hanger.

We'll probably be in Wenatchee for about 2 months. Then hopefully back to Chandler in the Bonanza until April

Anyway, thanks again for all of your work. I'm still hoping to get those speed brakes sometime--maybe after we can find a buyer for my prop.

Stay in touch, John
Ron F. Cessna 182 Skylane 81R

Mike,
Thanks for your excellent work in repairing the stabilizer on my Cessna 182. You made the timeline exactly as you promised and the work looks great. I had known about your company and recommended that my shop, NW Airtech contact you. You have gained two loyal customers, myself and NW Airtech!
Michael C. Proud "New Owner", Beech F33A Bonanza 45Y

Dear Mike:
Thanks for all your hard work, applicable knowledge of Bonanza's, thoroughness and steadfast attitude when confronted by better armed but less realistic competitors. It took a hell of a guy to stand up to Ultimate Engine and let them know where the chips really fall when it comes to the FAA. I'm sure they learned a thing or two about putting engines back in service without a history on the engine and it's parts.

The flight back from Tulsa to Los Angeles was flawless. She took to the air with grace and beauty despite the head winds. What a blast getting home.

I know it's early on in the game; only owned the plane for 4 days but with any luck and good maintenance I should have this beauty for a life time. To bad your shop isn't in Los Angeles.

Thanks again for everything.
Bruce B. Beech S35 Bonanza 19K

Hi Mike...It was great meeting you at the WBS Flyin at Santa Maria W/E 13016 Jan. I want to tell you how much I appreciated your GREAT info on fixing my BZA Door "not holding open" problem. I followed your "FIX" advice to the letter and the door works like new!! I heated and straightened the rod a bit and put washers in the door sill to tighten up the hole. Used an elastic stop nut and washer to tighten and hold the rod in place and voila!! Like new!! I owe you a drink or two at the next meeting!!

Thanks again.
Dennis H. Beech V35 Bonanza 83L

Mike:
Just want you to know that we are pleased with your annual inspection of and associated maintenance on our Bonanza. Your rigging changes eliminated the previous slight wing low condition in cruise and improved cruise speed by well more than 5 knots-amazing, and you did all rigging changes in just one shot! Other projects to date have limited our use of the airplane to only a handful of couple hour trips around the Northwest but the speed improvements are quite apparent on both Airspeed Indicator and GPS and are replicated on each and every flight, wow!

Regards,
Rick J. Beech M35 Bonanza NTI

Mike,
I want to thank you for the maintenance work that you've been performing on NTI. I was at the Bonanza Proficiency course last week and part of the program is a maintenance inspection. One of the very senior and experienced guys does a walk-around when you not there and then reports back his findings. The squawk list for NTI was one of the shortest in the group!

Later that day, I sent more time with him and his parting comment was "a good, straight aircraft" Also Mike, he complemented me on how well-rigged it was.

Thanks to you.
Gary O. Beech E35 Bonanza 16C

I read about your E185 engine donation to the museum and just wanted to say "thanks". If all pilots, owners, shops, FBO's etc took such an active interest in helping such worthy projects, we might have to struggle less to keep our passion alive. Thanks Mike.
John F. Beech A36 Bonanza 0LM

Dear Mike:
Betty and I would like to thank you for your meticulous attention to detail in the recent airframe repair which you did for us. As you know, we are very particular about how things are done to "our girl". You understood this, and worked very hard to meet our expectations.

As you know, we have already put quite a few hours on the plane since you completed the work, and everything on the airframe operates exactly as it had before the repair. No glitches!! Thank you!

We would like for you to know that we respect your expertise, and we count you as one of the "good guys" in the aviation maintenance business.

We are pleased to be seeing you at recent World Beechcraft meetings, and we also want to thank you for your support of the Bonanza/Baron Museum.

Sincerely,
Greg P. Cessna 177RG Cardinal 40G

The technicians at AVSTAR are truly first rate! Mike Thompson and Thom Barnett have looked after, maintained, and kept my aircraft in beautiful condition, both mechanically and asthetically. They not only performed the pre-purchase inspection on my 1971 Cardinal RG in 1994, but last winter completed a compete refurbishment of my interior, panel, and glass. My plane is not only a showpiece now, but flies like a dream. I can always count on them to go the extra mile for me.
Robert & Peggy K. Beech V35B Bonanza 718

Dear Mr. Thompson.
I just wanted to tell you again how pleased Peggy and I are with the work you did on 718. It's like we've got a whole new different airplane. Climbing to 12,500 feet (as high as I've had it thus far) actually takes less time than it did with the turbo's. On a route we frequently fly where we normally are at 5000ft, we're currently at 9,000 plus. Takeoff distance through 3500 feet is less. I may have told you all of this before, If I have, Sorry. One cylinder was too rich and that has been worked out with Continental. A little bit lean of peak at 60-65% cost 5 PH and saves 2.5 GPS. We are regularly seeing 200MPH speeds above 8000 feet running lean. Absolutely can't believe the rate of Climb. At our normal load the other day we had 1400 FPM at 4000 ft at 135 mph with the cowl flaps full open. I had told you that it tended to fly one wing low. That tendency is totally absent. Nice work!

Since I hadn't flown since the mishap I went out and did a couple hours of instrument work with an instructor as soon as we got back. Switched out the 100watt landing light for a 50watt spotlight light like the one that had been in before that had lasted forever. We have had absolutely no problems with the Autopilot, another of our concerns. We're really grateful and can't thank you enough.

Incidentally, you're welcome to share this with prospective customers or have them call me. Especially someone with the Rajays like I had who have to make a decision re overhaul or replacement. This power-prop combination is awesome. The offer holds for Gear Up bidding also.

Incidentally BDS has the owners manual supplement for the IO550 in the A36 they will share if asked. The power setting curves approved by continental for rich and lean of peak operation are in there. Stangely the lean of peak below 65 percent power is basically the same as gami's instruction. If the price were about the same, I think I'd go with Gami's given a choice. With the system I have to use, the engine is off line for 2 weeks anytime you want to finetune an injector. The one I have changed tho, the fuel flow on the replacement was exactly where I had asked that it be.

Thanks again.

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