Maintenance in Central Illinois (KCMI)?

[jdfrey1]

I recently moved to Champaign, Illinois and I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a shop in the area to maintain my Archer? Flitestar is on the field but I don't think they do much work on pistons and I'm sure that whatever work they do will be very expensive.

I finally found a good shop near Delaware (Cecil Aero at 58M) that I've worked with for the last 2 years. I'm actually even considering bringing the plane back there for the annual this year. It would be nice to find someone locally though that I can build a relationship with to work on my plane.

 

[ScottM]

I recently moved to Champaign, Illinois and I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a shop in the area to maintain my Archer? Flitestar is on the field but I don't think they do much work on pistons and I'm sure that whatever work they do will be very expensive.

I finally found a good shop near Delaware (Cecil Aero at 58M) that I've worked with for the last 2 years. I'm actually even considering bringing the plane back there for the annual this year. It would be nice to find someone locally though that I can build a relationship with to work on my plane.

Lynn Merli will be along shortly with a good recommendation as she is based in that area. I have only used Flitestar as the FBO when I have flown in a couple of times and they take care of transients very well, but like you said, I am not sure that they do a lot of piston maintenance.

My plane is kept well north of you at 10C and the mechanic there are top notch, but that is a bit of travel for you.

With you and Lynn down that way we should maybe consider a Cham-bana or Rantoul PoA fly-in. I would be up for a trip to lil porgy's for bbq or Papa Dells for pizza.

 

[Gary F]

I have used Midwest Avtech in Peru Illinois KVYS which is about 90 miles from you. This shop has a very good reputation with Diamond owners. I would expect that they have a lot of experience with Pipers like everybody else. I will fly my DA40 down there in the next few weeks from Upper Michigan for the 1000 hour inspection .

http://www.midwestavtech.com/aboutus.htm

 

[flygirl34q]

Hi Jeff! I'm based at KTIP (Rantoul, IL), but for airframe/annual issues use Image Air in Bloomington, IL (KBMI) and for avionics issues use Joliet Avionics (JA) in Aurora, IL (KARR). I have an Archer also and enjoy flying it very much. The husband and I just got back from a trip to the Bahamas last week and if you are checking out Image Air in the next couple of weeks, I might see you there. My plane needs an oil change.

And Scott, I'd be so up for a fly-in for BBQ and/or pizza anytime!

 

[ScottM]

And Scott, I'd be so up for a fly-in for BBQ and/or pizza anytime!

Cool. Perhaps we can target May. I will be in Kansas City most of April and will be glad to get back to Illinois for good BBQ [/sarcasm]

Seriously though lil' Porgy's is the best St. Louis style BBQ around there parts.

 

[EdFred]

Hi Jeff! I'm based at KTIP (Rantoul, IL), but for airframe/annual issues use Image Air in Bloomington, IL (KBMI) and for avionics issues use Joliet Avionics (JA) in Aurora, IL (KARR). I have an Archer also and enjoy flying it very much. The husband and I just got back from a trip to the Bahamas last week and if you are checking out Image Air in the next couple of weeks, I might see you there. My plane needs an oil change.

And Scott, I'd be so up for a fly-in for BBQ and/or pizza anytime!

Why not do it yourself and save some money? It's easier than changing the oil on your car.

 

[gprellwitz]

I think Leslie and I'd be up for an IL get-together! She hasn't been flying in TOO LONG!

I've heard good things about JA for avionics and Poplar Grove Airmotive for engines in the Chicago area. For typical day-to-day maintenance around CMI, I don't have anything to offer.

 

[jdfrey1]

Thanks everyone, I will check out some of those recommendations! I'm up for a fly-in sometime too.

 

[flygirl34q]

OK... well, is anyone thinking of going to this Safety Seminar in a couple of weeks?? It's not exactly on the airport, so I was thinking of the best way to get there from KSPI, but it might be fun to get together and get Wings credits too.

"2011 National Safety Stand Down"
Topic: Causes of GA fatal accidents. Positive Flight Attitude, Going Beyond Preflight, Enroute Curse and Maneuvering Flight.
On Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 8:30 AM
Location:
IDOT Harry R. Hanley Building
2300 South Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL 62701

Select Number:
GL1937658

Description:
This year's FAASTeam Safety Standdown focuses on four areas that account for the majority of general aviation fatal accidents:

-- Positive Flight Attitude: Keeping Your Standards High
-- Going Beyond Preflight: Perfecting Your Preflight Inspection
-- Enroute Cruise: Are You On Cruise Control
-- Maneuvering Flight: Slow, Steady and Sure
To view further details and registration information for this seminar, click here.
The sponsor for this seminar is: Illinois FAASTeam
The following credit(s) are available for the WINGS/AMT Programs:
Basic Knowledge 1 1.00
Basic Knowledge 3 1.00
Basic Knowledge 2 1.00

We could all go and get pizza, BBQ, or Chinese food afterwards and then fly home!

 

[crash7]

OK... well, is anyone thinking of going to this Safety Seminar in a couple of weeks?? It's not exactly on the airport, so I was thinking of the best way to get there from KSPI, but it might be fun to get together and get Wings credits too.

"2011 National Safety Stand Down"
Topic: Causes of GA fatal accidents. Positive Flight Attitude, Going Beyond Preflight, Enroute Curse and Maneuvering Flight.
On Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 8:30 AM
Location:
IDOT Harry R. Hanley Building
2300 South Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL 62701

[snip]

Description:
This year's FAASTeam Safety Standdown focuses on four areas that account for the majority of general aviation fatal accidents:

-- Positive Flight Attitude: Keeping Your Standards High
-- Going Beyond Preflight: Perfecting Your Preflight Inspection
-- Enroute Cruise: Are You On Cruise Control
-- Maneuvering Flight: Slow, Steady and Sure
To view further details and registration information for this seminar, click here.

[snip]

We could all go and get pizza, BBQ, or Chinese food afterwards and then fly home!

KSPI is my home base. I was planning on going to this. I could transport 2 or 3 people to/from the airport if needed. There's also a seminar at KCMI next Saturday I'm hoping to go to.

I'd like to meet some neighboring pilots. :smile:

 

[gprellwitz]

KSPI is my home base. I was planning on going to this. I could transport 2 or 3 people to/from the airport if needed. There's also a seminar at KCMI next Saturday I'm hoping to go to.

I'd like to meet some neighboring pilots. :smile:

They have the same safety standdown at Kishwaukee College in the far western burbs. Trying to decide if I'm going to go.

 

[EdFred]

Same one here in Sparta on the 16th.