Any News on the Factory?

[RobertP]

Now you are all back from the big fly in at Okhosh (excuse spelling if needs be!) is there any news of the factory or are things still defunct? Seems like a long time with no news?

[barnstmr]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

That's a good question. I have been wondering about all the tooling, jigs, and machinery. Back in the Spring, the FAA was telling me that a bunch of that stuff had been sitting outside in the weather. What a shame.

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

Well the show at Oshkosh is just getting started.
Ends this Sunday, Aug. 1st.

[mikerice]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

I drove by the factory building a month ago. The new owners (SRA) have their sign on the door, and several cars in the parking lot.

There was no evidence of tooling outside, at least it was not visible from the street.

I could not stop, as I had antsy passengers who needed to get home.

Website is still "under construction", and Antonio did not return my call.

Something is happening, but without stopping, I could not say what...

[RobertP]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

Hopefully when the others get back from the show ( sorry I thought it was held last week! ) we will get some update? I can't believe no one on the forum knows what is happening?

I live on a constant "knife edge" here in the UK with my F22A in case I need licensed airframe spares and I guess others are the same with other models as well!

[jim cooper]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

Usually....usually, if things are correctly funded and the propriator is a hail fellow, brass bands play, signs are erected and flying magazines announce that an aviation miracle has occured. IE: "Taylorcraft refinanced! New owner promises production VERY soon!" (Remember the fellow who restarted Piper? ( I THINK he was in the elctric shaver business.) He had big plans and did ok for a couple, three years then........end of story. If a company can't build a washing machine in America, then how can they build parts for, or a complete airpane here with the intensive labor involved? JC

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

He can do it by engaging a large number of enthusiastic nut cases out here who will still support the design long after he is gone. We are here and can help if we can just figure out a business plan that lets us.
Hank

[RobertP]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

Hank,

I couldn't agree more with what you say! It just amazes me that "they" ( The owners ) apparently havn't been in touch with the forum what with all the experience there is on here! My only experience in the UK is of Classic car spares distributors who go out of their way to involve the car clubs for the ready market which is on tap and you only have to look on the forum every time some spares come up to judge the demand?

I can imagine the need for the owners to keep things close to the chest to begin with but time has marched on now and to me it all seems very strange? Perhaps they are going to produce a new LSA Taylorcraft from parts produced in China hence the secrecy!!! Just joking of course! Spares for what is already flying is the way to go IMHO.

[Marv]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

Robert they are probably going to make them in Mexico by the people that the last owner trained in Texas. What do you think are the chances? Marv

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

Trying to picture this.
The southern border is swamped by folks from Mexico looking for work.
They come here and we train them to work in our plants.
We open plants in Mexico
There is a reverse flood to Mexico of all the trained/skilled workers running from the bad economy in the U.S. to the good manufacturing jobs in Mexico.

Last step would be the border states using the Border Patrol to STOP all of our skilled labor from bailing to Mexico!

Sounds like a Monty Python skit plot.

Hank

[rammon3]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition"

[robbie]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

just got back from Oshkosh.
The tcraft forum was held today.
Steve Krogg ran the meeting.
Good turn out, No factory reps there and no news from steve.
A lots of the questions that were asked has been address here on our forum.
Don from Don's dream machine engines spoke .
They had a landing gear for a BC12d from uniair. Looked good.
They said the FAA is looking at the strut on the landing gear.
Had one failed.
Forest had been notify.

[jim cooper]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

These guys could be old frustrated kamakasi pilots! JC

[RobertP]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

What do they mean by the Strut on the landing gear? Is this applicable to the taildraggers or the oleo strut on the Tri Gear? Sounds like there could be more pain in the wallet! In any case Forrest would appear to know something about it?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Any News on the Factory?

It's the streamline tube that runs from the inside end of the wheel axle up to the bungee attach at the fuselage centerline. If water gets in the tube and can't drain out it will rust the tube through at the bottom end. A PERFECT example of something to check on an Annual List. I take a small tip screwdriver and probe the bottom ends of all the angled tubes at annual. The lower longeron in the tail is another really bad spot for corrosion.
Hank