Will Specialize In High-Performance Aircraft, VLJs

Well-known aviation maintenance expert Mike Busch hopes his "Savvy Aviator" acumen will translate into an equally-savvy business model. This week, Busch announced the formation of Savvy Aircraft Maintenance Management, Inc. (SAMM), a new company providing professionally managed maintenance for owner-flown aircraft ranging from high-performance single-engine airplanes to cabin-class twins and very light jets.

During the past four years, Busch has put more than 1,000 aircraft owners through his renowned "Savvy Owner Seminar" that teaches them how to get better aircraft maintenance and spend much less money doing it. Many owners who have taken this training report reduced maintenance bills, and improved dispatch reliability.

Despite those positive results, Busch admits his approach does require significant time, effort and involvement by the aircraft owner... resources most people don't have in abundance.

"It became clear to me that many owners are simply too busy running their business or raising their family to manage their own maintenance properly, and would benefit from hiring a professional to manage it for them," Busch said. "Professional maintenance management has long been the norm for corporate jets, but has never been available for owner-flown aircraft until now."

SAMM's professional management is designed to improve an aircraft owner's overall ownership experience by making the aircraft safer and more reliable, doing away with most maintenance-related hassles, and saving the owner substantially more money (through reduced parts and labor charges) than the management fee SAMM charges.

For a fixed annual subscription fee ranging from $500 to $1000 for most piston singles and twins, SAMM assigns an account manager to oversee the maintenance of the client's aircraft and act as the owner's maintenance advocate to ensure that the aircraft receives the best possible maintenance at the lowest possible cost. SAMM's account manager does not perform maintenance, but rather works with the owner to select the best maintenance facilities and technicians for each job, then provides specific direction to, interface with, and oversight of the selected maintenance providers.

Busch was recently honored by the FAA as National Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year for 2008.

FMI: www.savvymx.com