I have to say that I can not recommend Don Maxwell Aviation. I wanted them to look at many things on my Mooney M20J by, who I thought, was a premiere Mooney shop. One of the things that I wanted them to look at was a fuel leak in my tank. I would call to see what they found out but I wasn't allowed to talk to the mechanic on what they found or what they were doing to my plane. It was only when they said that the plane was "finished" that I could ask Don what they had done to repair the leak. He said he didn't know what they had done but that it was "fixed". That is all I got for my $1500 of service! I spent over $26,000 on so called repairs. On my flight back from Texas I found that the leak had not been fixed. It did exactly the same thing that it did before spending the $1500. I also found that they didn't fix the sticky fuel selector valve, that they charged me over $300. It was so bad that I had to use two hands to switch tanks! But the worse that they did was to my new panel! I requested that they replace my throttle since the old one was sticky. To do this they grinded into my BRAND NEW panel! I spent almost $100k on the avionics and the brand new panel now has been grinded so that above the throttle is says "ottle"! Nobody called me to tell me that they were going to grind into my new panel! And since no one went over what was done, other than the bill, when I got the plane back I didn't find these things until the flight back to Oregon. So when I called today to talk to Don and told him of these things he said that the fuel tank repair wasn't guaranteed. I said that I expected more from a premiere shop. Then he said, "I am done with you" and hung up!" So I can not recommend Don Maxwell Aviation for their service or communication. They have many Mooney's so maybe my experience doesn't represent what others have experienced. But I would say buyer beware because after the check clears they may be "done with you" too! read more

A straight forward and good man to work for and knows the ins and outs of all his business adventures. He in my opinion has just kept growing and becoming better and better of an auntrepreneur with every passing year! read more

Purchased a Mooney. Don had it several months when he promised only 2 weeks turnaround time for an annual. Don was never available or answered emails. His girl in office just wanted me off the phone. "I will take A MESSAGE and would never hear back. That's why getting plane took so long. It was filthy and neglected. Don's shop is horrible. ONE VAN that smokes blue smoke when started, a big hangar and sparse on tools and couple guys who I have no clue what they are talented at if anything. Don was always RUDE when I asked how much longer is plane going to be at his shop. Don left my battery unattended knowing it would die and have to be replaced. After replacing propeller Don left oil under the prop control in the cowling which dripped out during flight. OIL PRESSURE stayed in Yellow while he did PRE-MAINTENANCE TEST and FLIGHT and POST MAINTENANCE run up HE NEVER mentioned the oil pressure was low. As for his staff - worthless, rude, and uninterested in aviation, planes or customers. NEW PROPELLER 15k Installed. Picked up plane and he did not do anything for the annual other than a high dollar item. He let plane sit outside in the grass for months. Don pulled plane out and filled tanks with fuel and jump started plane - never replaced the screw that holds the door closed at the tail for connecting shore power to plane. Flew two days with that power supply door open until I could find a screw to fit. DEAD BATTERY from being left in a field for several months. Flew to MISSISSIPPI and bought a new battery. COST $600. NO OIL CHANGE either. Flew with LOW oil pressure too - and a OIL LEAK. Turned out the Oil Sensor Actuator was the wrong one set between 0-10 lbs pressure. I am surprised the engine made it from Texas to Destination. COST $812 to replace sensor - troubleshoot, calibrate gauge and clean oil. OVERSTEERED front wheel while towing at night to move plane to grass field with tractor. Bent Front wheel Tube - COST $2000 to fix. The radio had terrible feedback and had to spend a day getting one of his guys to troubleshoot it. Thank goodness is started working. MY OBSERVATION- DON IS DONE AS AN AVIATION MECHANIC. I WAS SUPER UNCOMFORTABLE FLYING PLANE - GOT HOME AND HAD MY MECHANIC BEGIN REPAIRS. MY ADVICE - GO SOMEWHERE ELSE - ALL HE DOES IS BILL/INVOICE PILOTS AND THE WORK IF HE DOES ANY IS SHODDY AND YOU HAVE TO GO BACK/INSPECT/REPAIR AND REPLACE. HE LEFT ABOUT 20 SCREWS OUT WHEN PUTTING INSPECTION PLATES AND COWLING BACK ON. TERRIBLE. read more

Don Maxwell Aviation Services - Don Maxwell and staff - Longview, Texas