So what does it cost to have a guy from cirrus show up after hours?

Probably the same as a Beech guy that will come out after hours. All depends on the mechanic.

Cirrus as a company has minimal control over what the service center owners/managers can or will do. But like Cirrus as a company, the service center is selling the next oil change/maintenence event etc.... This is one reason that many Cirrus owners often stay within the service centers and do not venture outside to independent mechanics. Nothing wrong with the independent guys and the same service can often be had for less cost. It is just that many of the service centers do such a fantastic job servicing that many owners don't look elsewhere.

The 24 hr AOG hotline is staffed with and A&P whose job is to troubleshoot problem over the phone, and help make arrangements for repairs, locating parts and other such assistance to resolve the AOG situation.

Gotcha, that makes sense. I misunderstood, thanks.

Still a neat service that Im sure has helped lots of folks avoid unnecessary delays and unscheduled hotel stays.

There have been several comments made to the effect that you (I) should expect this kind of service when spending a lot of money on an airplane. Maybe so. But my experience in purchasing all kinds of expensive goods like cars, for example, shows me that having high expectations does mean that the service happens. It often does not.

I'd be interested in knowing the experience of other new aircraft buyers of other makes. Any new Bonanza or Baron drivers care to comment? Any new Cessna or Mooney owners?

This kind of exceptional treatment may be common place. I hope it is. It'll spoil you. As I look at my next move I wonder who can provide anything approaching this kind of service. As far as I can tell only Cessna with their mobile service vans can. But will the guy who sold the plane give me a ride when I need one or work late at night on a weekend or holiday to help with an issue as Jeff Sandusky has? I doubt it simply because that hasn't been my experience as a consumer of many other things but I'd like to hope so.

Frankly, I didn't have the kind of high expectations that some here seem to. Or maybe I'm just easily impressed. Regardless, I think that beyond the marketing (at which they are excellent), the product (which is superb) and the chute (which needs no remarking upon) Cirrus' creates loyal customers through a kind of dedicated attention to "the customer experience" which is very, very rare in the world. And it sells more airplanes.

I had a new Diamond, MSRP 360k, currently somewhere north of 400. My experience is no, their service is fairly poor.

My boat is manufactured by a company named Intrepid, a semi-custom builder in SW FL. My family has had several, all bought used (for a fraction the price of new). Had a hull issue on a 20yr old hull, called them from the Bahamas, they had engineering sketches and layup schedule for the repair within 3hrs, along with a recommended local fiberglass guy they deemed skilled enough to handle it correctly. In the marine world they're known as having insane post-sale service, regardless of whether you bought the boat used or not.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries seems to have a good approach. I have not heard examples of other aircraft companies that do so unless you're on an mx plan of some sort.

Pilatus does, unfortunately I have had to use it once. Flaps wouldn't go down (required for takeoff) and they were ready to dispatch a mechanic and parts over the weekend. Turned out that we could ferry the aircraft to a service center but I was impressed they were ready to dispatch over a weekend. I didn't purchase new, this service is available to any pc12 owner and doesn't cost anything other than the parts and labor required to make the repair.

All aircraft manufacturers that create their product for traveling should offer the service, it should be a given. We use airplanes to save time and an AOG issue goes against that. If the company doesn't offer 27/7 AOG, it goes against the primary value their product offers - saving time.

Of course the best solution is to build a reliable product but AOG situations will still happen.

Good for Cirrus for offering this service.

Cessna, Pilatus, Daher/Socata.

Socata AOG Hotlines / After Hours

SOCATA Tarbes, France - +33 6 07 32 62 24
SOCATA North America - +1 954 907 3397




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I was at a party last night and chatted with pilot-acquaintance. He just bought his second Cirrus, brand new, and was raving about how much better the fit-finish is compared to his first Cirrus.

I know this is "old-hat" but he wanted to buy a bigger plane, a King Air, but his wife, who was standing next to him and vigorously shaking her head, will only fly an airplane with a parachute. So instead of spending the same money on a used King Air he bought a brand new Cirrus.

That is certainly one reason that people buy new Cirri. Spouse won't ride in anything else.

I considered moving up to a King Air or similar for the same money. Problem is that it is not really the same money. I Dry leased a king air for about 25 hrs learning to fly one. Went through $17K in the blink of an eye. I'm sure that someone here can or will tell me that the DOC of an old KA is not all that much more than a new Cirrus. I'm not convinced. So the purchase price may be the same or less. The maintenance and cost of feeding a twin turbine is a different story. Also the older KA that I rented always seemed to have something wrong with it. Every flight something broke or stopped working. Pressure controller, autopilot, boots, inverter, door seal, etc...... The list went on and on. Those items can eat you alive. Not to mention the gear overhaul requirements and and the life limited parts. I'm not the kind of guy that likes to fly with things not working so this KA was not on my list to move into.

A Cirrus with a 5 year spinner to tail warranty fits a niche market. Works for some people. Doesn't work for others. I guess we'll find if it works for me.

Corey,

I think we need a new thread with photos...

$17K for 25 hours ($680/hour) sounds like a pretty good deal for twin turbine costs. You should've kept that deal!

Corey,

I think we need a new thread with photos...

I've heard SOCATA has pretty decent service for their Caribbean pistons, even now.

Best,
Rich

They do. Good stock in FL, and good AOG service from Tarbes. Same parts team that supports the TBMs.

I bought a new piper at year end in 2013, and have had an exceptional experience with service. However I don't get my plane serviced at Piper, I get it serviced at Columbia and they do all the hand holding, shuttling, notifying, updates, suggestions, explaining etc... So I chock my great experience up to the service center as I have had no direct experience with Piper since purchasing.

Chip-