Factory

[hangarb7]

Re: Factory

After spending a couple of months trying to convince several pilot buddies to buy N44057 as a three way partnership, I gave up.

A few weeks later, my bride of (then) 26 years asked about the airplane. I told her it was dead.

She said, "Oh, I'm sorry someone must have bought it."

I told her that it was still available but I couldn't get anyone to go in with me on it. She said, "Then we should buy it ourselves."

I didn't argue. But that 10K that we had saved for the house addition and new roof / siding? I'm working that off as we speak...

But she lets me go to the airport any time I want. Now if I can only get her to go for a ride!

Jack D.
'46 BC12D

[robbie]

Re: Factory

Where do you fly out of?
My family lives in the north hills area and we get out 2 or 3 times a year.
Hope to look you up next time out.
Should be sept or oct.

[Steve Pierce]

Re: Factory

I saw Harry's fuselage at the D&E booth. I was told he was buying wing parts from them. I also hear that people have given him deposits and are getting the same old run around. He could learn a lot from the Legend guys. I saw the first fuselage come out of the jig Christmas of 2004 and I think they have delivered almost 40 airplanes now.

[cpirrmann]

Re: Factory

You guys sound like me. I'm ready to move 'up' to a Tri Pacer but I still want to keep my Tcraft.
I got my 'history' from Chet's book. It seems to me that they always tried to become too big too fast. They anticipated the boom in sales that usually never materializes, like now, so they get big factories, many employees, large notes, etc. all of which are huge overhead. IMHO it would've been better to start small, maybe even stay small and feed the demand that exists. Instead, they try to become the next Piper or Cessna and they're doomed before they even start.
A lot of manufacturers are anticipating the sport pilot 'boom' in sales but if the prices of airplanes don't come down. the market will never take off.

Hey! Maybe we should all get together and build Tcrafts!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Factory

Maybe the next time Taylorcaft comes up for sale (and I honestly hope it DOESN'T! I want Harry to succeed beyond Dorthys wildest dreams!) WE SHOULD BUY IT! There was a little talk about it the last time it was sold and we let it get away.
For now I say support the factory any way we can, but if it does fail the Taylorcraft owners should pool our resources some way and buy it. At least then we couldn't sit and complain about the owners (yea, RIGHT!!)
Hank

[jdoran]

Re: Factory

Hank,

A variation to your idea:

It's really frustrating when we can't get parts to keep these Tcrafts flying. I'll bet there are only 30 or so parts that are exclusive to Tcraft that we can't get elsewhere.

Instead of waiting to see what happens to the factory, why not put a group together to build just those 30 or so parts that are so hard to get from the factory?

There is enough talent in our group to make these parts, and one person could maybe take the lead to get the certifications to produce those parts.
If Taylorcraft was having the parts made by an outside vendor, maybe our job would be as simple as tracking down those vendors and buying the parts.

Fuel Tanks
Tail feathers
Trim pulleys
wing ribs
Tailbrace wires and fittings
Cowlings
etc
etc
etc

John

[Tom G]

Re: Factory

The factory just overhauled my landing gear and did a very nice job. it took a while but they replaced the ties struts on both sides along with some other repairs, new bushings and recovered and put them in silver for $550. The only problem is i'm looking at the gear and the left one seems towed out slightly. I may be looking at it wrong because my mechanic thinks its ok.

My biggest problem right now is trying to get them to send the 337s to me that they promised. Two phone calls and a fax this week with no response. that is disappointing. They promised them to me weeks ago.

I hope everything is ok down there.

[cpirrmann]

Re: Factory

Hank,

A variation to your idea:



There is enough talent in our group to make these parts, and one person could maybe take the lead to get the certifications to produce those parts.
If Taylorcraft was having the parts made by an outside vendor, maybe our job would be as simple as tracking down those vendors and buying the parts.


John

Another good idea, but you still might run into patent and rights issues. Or....

We could take it in rotation to volunteer to help manage the Tcraft Factory. I'm sure they couldn't afford to hire one.

[cpirrmann]

Re: Factory

The factory just overhauled my landing gear and did a very nice job. it took a while but they replaced the ties struts on both sides along with some other repairs, new bushings and recovered and put them in silver for $550. The only problem is i'm looking at the gear and the left one seems towed out slightly. I may be looking at it wrong because my mechanic thinks its ok.

My biggest problem right now is trying to get them to send the 337s to me that they promised. Two phone calls and a fax this week with no response. that is disappointing. They promised them to me weeks ago.

I hope everything is ok down there.

That's a bad indicator. Big problems, you could understand and say they can turn it around with time, but little things like this are inexcusable and IMHO show the customers take back seat to whatever other priorities they have and that's never a good thing. Customers buy your product, if they have a good experience while they're doing it. Pity though, because they were so quick and accomodating with my little order.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Factory

I just talked to Forrest -- as you know Barber's closed on Mondays and Forrest is on his way to shoot some aerials so he couldn't talk long -- but he stated -- that Harry and the factory have been sued and there is an impending sherriff's sale of factory items in a few days. I'm sure that Forrest will update this item tomorrow. Too bad for all of us that had hoped Harry would turn the corner and make good on his many many promises. Much too bad, except this might open things up for a final resolution of the matter and sale to somebody who will actually get the factory on it's feet. I know nothing more but we'll find out from Forrest soon.
With regards;
Ed O'Brien