Good Morning, all!
I am somewhat of an oddity here, as I am neither an aircraft owner or a pilot!
I am one of the new part-owners of Waukegan Aviation Services (formerly Waukegan Avionics/WAI, Inc.) and found this site while searching online. I've been maintaining GA aircraft since 1979 as an A&P, with IA since 1983. I've worked for a variety of FBO's, flying clubs, and corporate flight departments here at Waukegan Regional (UGN) since moving here in the 80's and I'm always trying to learn more about my craft.
Waukegan Aviation Services is a full-service GA maintenance shop as well as as an avionics CRS with dealerships from:
*Garmin
*Avidyne
*S-Tec
*Century Flight Systems
*JPI
*PS Engineering
*Aspen
*Narco
*Shadin
*Insight
*Becker
*L3 Communications
*Sandel
*DAC Int'l
*Electronics Int'l
*WSI
....among others!
However, I'm not here simply to blow my own horn or hawk my wares.....I'm here to learn and communicate with you, the people that own and fly these things. I've been lurking and reading for a bit now, and many of the posts I've read show a communication gap between mechanics and pilots; I'd like to close that gap some by offering advice when I can, and listening when I can't. After all, my goal as an A&P/IA is to provide the safest, legal maintenance that I can, while understanding your needs as an aircraft owner.
I will be the first to admit many aircraft owners know their machine better than the mechanics who maintain them. It's my feeling that should be a good starting point for both parties, rather than a point of contention.
It's also nice to read some of your candid remarks about maintenance shops...It's a view of the other side of the coin we rarely get to see from our view.
So, I'll shut up now and get back to reading. Thanks for having me here!

Kirk,
Welcome to BeechTalk, and thank you for your willingness to help...

Welcome, Kirk!

Thanks for deciding to join in on some of the disscussions.

We all benefit from hearing multiple points of view.
Glad to have yours.

Welcome from a local guy. I look forward to your input. Check out Panel Talk. The fastest way to earn respect here is to participate with your long years of experience. Brad Z. and Charles R. come to mind as excellent examples. I am likely missing others.

Nick

Welcome Kirk! I am quite certain that your years of experience and point of view will be much appreciated.

Thanks for the warm welcomes!
I will try to check in often and keep up with the topics at hand and throw in my 2 cents when I feel I can.