Gavilan Aviation
Deceptive ripoff company, lies and cheats customers, lies to employees

Beware of this company. If you are an aircraft owner, they will try to get every dime you have. The inspections and repair times are grossly inflated and parts are sold at full price plus. An example would be the guy who got stuck with a $12,000 annual on an old Cherokee 140, or the guy who paid $25,000 to annual his Cessna twin. They have monoplized the local fuel market and their prices reflect that, more than $1.00 a gallon mark up. They even charge the CDF air tankers full delivery price even though they buy hundreds and sometimes thousands of gallons a day.

If you are an A&P mechanic, stay away. They will tell you anything to get you to work for them and deliver nothing. Dave and Teresa Leonardo will lie to your face. I was told that I would soon be in charge of the shop, not. I was told that I would have a trip to the IA test center paid for, nope. Our full time fuel guy was fired so the other mechanic and myself were covering the fuel trucks. I was told to my face by Teresa that a new fuel guy would be hired. The next week, they hired a new "golden boy" mechanic (who also worked on Dave's three Porsches) and I was suddenly the full time fueler.

When a new fueler was finnally hired, I went back to work in the shop. I made the mistake of asking for a raise. On a Wednesday I was asked to take a week off and then check in to see if there was any work. To tide me over, that same day. I lined up a temporary job across the street. Thursday, I moved my tools. Friday when I came in to get my check I was paid in full and asked for my keys.

I went to the Labor Board to see if there was anything I could do. After talking to the man there, it was determined that my only legitimate claim was for not being given regular breaks. Total value of the claim was approximatly $8000. A few days before the hearing, Dave came to me and said that if I didn't give up my claim that he would sue me, ruin my credit and see to it that I never worked again. I found out later that he already had me laid off of a part time job that I found. Now I am hitting a brick wall in my search for a new job, I'm sure that they are saying things to hurt me.

Company: Gavilan Aviation
Country: USA
State: California
City: Hollister
Address: 200 Skylane Dr
Phone: 8316379100

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