Savvy Aviation launches Savvy for Shops

Savvy Aviation founder and CEO Mike Busch said the deepening shortage of qualified GA mechanics has led to increasing delays and downtime, and shops are turning away customers. Savvy for Shops is meant to help mechanics and support more efficient, data-driven maintenance with programs targeted at community, training, and consulting.

“We’ve been very aircraft owner centric, and what we’re trying to do now is to provide help for shops directly, something that we’ve never done before,” said Busch.

Savvy Aviation offers breakdown assistance, data analysis, and other services for owners of GA aircraft, advocating for owners based on a philosophy of data-driven “reliability-centered maintenance.” Under Savvy for Shops, ShopTalk will provide a free online forum open to all A&P mechanics and students modeled after Savvy Aviation’s private forum for A&P mechanics with inspection authorization. Savvy’s team of nearly 50 A&P/IAs will participate in the forum, where mechanics can share knowledge and help one another solve problems. Savvy Certified, the second program under Savvy for Shops, will provide free online training for mechanics with an emphasis on reliability-centered maintenance and minimally invasive techniques. Savvy Aviation plans to earn FAA approval for all modules to qualify for IA renewal credit, and shops whose leadership complete a core set of courses will earn a “Savvy Certified” designation.

The final Savvy for Shops program is Powered by Savvy, a subscription consulting service modeled after the SavvyQA plan for aircraft owners. Under Powered by Savvy, Savvy Aviation’s IAs, analysts, and subject matter specialists will provide advice, troubleshooting, and second opinions. Savvy will analyze engine monitor data, borescope images, and oil reports; assist with sourcing parts; and create troubleshooting plans for participating shops.

Manager of Breakdown Assistance Colleen Sterling will lead the Savvy for Shops effort. (Busch, a monthly AOPA Pilot contributor, and Sterling co-host AOPA’s Ask the A&Ps podcast with Savvy Aviation account manager Paul New.) Busch said the programs will roll out by the end of the year, starting with ShopTalk and proceeding to the training and consulting initiatives. Pricing will be announced in Savvy Aviation’s newsletter.