A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

[Forrest Barber]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Ah you have a way with words!!! I fell off my office swivel chair, Kelli-Belle woke up , jumped up, scared the cat and chased it all around the house..... thanks I needed the excitement.
I have had some amazing minerature things shown to me recently in the spy game. I started out in life with a Kel Kit, (sp) , "a wire" that used batteries and would shock the hell out of you unless you wrapped a towel around your body first.
Yes I could bug the place if needed.

[gromit68]

Is this thing on?

Lift struts ordered from Northern Airframes.
Ready to ship, pending FAA approval.
I have been making many phone calls to the FAA. I spoke to inspector Charlie Owens, who directed me to his boss Clemente Figuroa (sp?) at Kansas City. I left message, call returned by one of his staff. She promised to get back to me. I called her back, and she informed me that jurisdiction of Alaska had been handed over to the Minneapolis MIDO. I called and left message with manager Rich Warren. Called back main office number, no answer. I had another FAA employee try to contact Minneapolis. She was unable to reach anyone at that number. I was handed off to an engineer who has promised to try to get me some more info. I have made sure to everyone I spoke that many Taylorcraft owners would like to know how they can help the FAA along with this process =)


Shaking the tree.
Hard.

The direct phone number for the Minneapolis MIDO manager Rich Warren is 612-713-4370.

His email address is [email protected]

Jon Grimm

[Guest]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Why not just buy a set of Univair struts rather than go thru all that?

They are good to go right now and I think the price is the same.

Dave

[gromit68]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Univair, as of this morning, is estimating a 4 week lead time.

When we place our order with Norther Airframes, they were projecting the same lead time as anyone else in the same price neighborhood. Projecting being the key word there...

A thought occurred to me last night as I was driving: has there ever been an instance of an AD being reversed as a result of being initiated by a "manufacturer" that turned out to not be legitimate?

This morning, someone from the main switchboard at the FAA returned my call. When I explained that the Minneapolis MIDO wasn't answering their phones yesterday, she stated she would have no way to verify if their phones were working. I suggested she could try to call their phone number ( the method I used.) She then tried to look up the number, but was unable to find it in her FAA directory. I looked it up on that Internet and gave it to her.

Those folks at the FAA should look into that Internet thing. Mighty handy.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

The FAA hasn't taught it's employees about the internet yet because as of this point, the are still trying to get people who don't drool uncontrolably, or leave their banna peels all over their desks. (I just call 'em like I see 'em). Brie

[flylo]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

gromit68,have you checked Wag Aero?

[Guest]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Univair, as of this morning, is estimating a 4 week lead time.
When we place our order with Norther Airframes, they were projecting the same lead time as anyone else in the same price neighborhood. Projecting being the key word there...

A thought occurred to me last night as I was driving: has there ever been an instance of an AD being reversed as a result of being initiated by a "manufacturer" that turned out to not be legitimate?

This morning, someone from the main switchboard at the FAA returned my call. When I explained that the Minneapolis MIDO wasn't answering their phones yesterday, she stated she would have no way to verify if their phones were working. I suggested she could try to call their phone number ( the method I used.) She then tried to look up the number, but was unable to find it in her FAA directory. I looked it up on that Internet and gave it to her.

Those folks at the FAA should look into that Internet thing. Mighty handy.

you think that someone getting approval will take less than that?

fyi- you need an IA to install airframes struts and only an A&P to install Univair

hope it all works out for you

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Yo dudes, from the time wag said they had received their materials and were going to build some struts until I received my 2 front struts was less than 2 weeks. They actually shipped them within 4 days of starting to fabricate. (UPS didn't pick up until the second day after notified)

Took over a week to get here because the UPS FREIGHT system is really screwed up. Can you believe 2-1/2 days across the US to within two hours of my place and about 5 days for the last 100 miles! They ran them around all over California.

I notice their regular ground package system has changed too. Before I could get stuff from AC Spruce within 36 hours UPS ground. Now they have added at least one additional hub with a 1 day layover. Now takes 3 to 4 days. BIG change. Think it may be to save fuel.

Anyway Wag worked out good for me. Paper looks good, front struts are well made, and the epoxy primer is really tough.
Darryl

[Guest]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

That's good news about Wag-Aero Darryl, and good for you too!

I hadn't kept up with Wag-Aero's progress, do they give you the jury strut clamps too?

Dave

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Yes on the clamps, nicely made, chromate primed, with a modified prefix Taylorcraft part number and PMA.
DC

[gromit68]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

I did finally get some calls back from the FAA. The MIDO manager stated that he didn't know enough specific details of the approval at Airframes to comment in any way. The inspector that reports to him said that he heard there were derogatory comments made. I said the only thing I said that could be construed as derogatory was that progress was too slow.

I checked Univair, they had a 4 week waiting period. I called Wag-Aero just to be certain. (They had promised to call me when they received their next shipment.) We agreed to buy a set, made arrangements to wire txfer payment in full. They would not accept a deposit, payment had to be made in full. When I called in the afternoon, their accounting dept. said the payment was in process, however, the sales rep. informed me they no longer had any rears available for sale. I -- um, -- protested. Politely.

Our new struts should ship tomorrow or Wed.

I hear they are very pretty.

--Jon

[Guest]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

interesting...

I assume you are saying that you got them from Wag-Aero, glad that worked out.

I recalled and reread some posts, your's included, I certainly thought that comments, including yours, were derogatory. I have seen much much worse as well.

A good question to ask ourselves is would I like someone talking about me in this way before we type it.



Dave

[hangarb7]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

Jon,

I see it sez Finleyville, PA but isn't it now Rostraver? Or do I think you are the wrong Jon? If it is the correct Jon, you have probably been buying Piper struts from Alaska, correct?

Jack
N44057

[gromit68]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

We did finally order struts from Wag-Aero.

I am from Finleyville, but not a pilot.
Dad's BC12D NC33992 is based at Washington County, but currently resides at Waynesburg.

In my odd personal sense of humor, I typed some things here that didn't accurately reflect the actual conversations I had with employees of the FAA.
Of whom, I am certain most are bright, competent people who try to do their best within the confines of a massive bureaucracy. I tried make it clear to everyone I spoke that it was our wish to determine the cause of the delay, and offer to help resolve the problem in any way possible. Most of the people I spoke to said that as an organization, the FAA valued comments and criticism as an opportunity to improve their services.

If it was interpreted otherwise, I sincerely apologize. I feel that this group is a fantastic resource for sharing information specific to Taylorcraft owners.


Thanks

Jon

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

OOPS. Wag Aero front jury strut clamps fit the front strut just fine, but come nowhere near mating up with the jury strut. Maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch too short to be pulled up with the bolt.
DC
Edit: 3/23, Wag is making up some new strut clamps per Tom. May have them ready to send out to all the strut customers by this week. (Latest from middle of last week).