factory web site info on struts

[robbie]

If we order struts after 11/15/07 the struts are going to be $4459.
They have a nice writeup on their struts.
IMO This is whats wrong with the factory,Yes 4130 is very expensive.
Maybe we don't want to put 25 to 30% of the value of the plane into struts.
Why not go with something less expensive, if they will fly on a 2000 lbs supper cub with 180 HP, I believe the will do fine on my T-craft.
$1800 vs $4459 I can buy 3 sets and have money left for some beer.
I do not have a grand champion bird so I don't care if it original struts or not.
I still believe my are OK, but will be buying struts from Airframe.
I hope the factory understands and I will support them with other stuff. I hope them the best but believe they should rethink their position on the struts.
OK I'll get of my soap box.

[VictorBravo]

Re: factory web site info on struts

I can't help but notice on their strut "choices" information page that their whole argument for their product is fairly weak.

They are waving the American flag on their product, but is there any streamline tubing of any type built outside the USA?

They say that 60 years ago Taylorcraft made the stupendous and brave decision to use 4130... but are 1946 or 1947 factory Taylorcraft wing struts made from 1025 or 4130?

They boast "built on OEM jigs and tools"... either struts fit or they don't. If Harry ordered new strut jigs made up, you can bet your ass the website would say "All new strut jigs... not 60 year old worn out jigs!!!"

Looking through their parts selections, I can't also help but notice that instead of saying XYZ part is simply not available it says "sold out". As if they think they are fooling everyone into believing they are selling parts as fast as they can make them

And threatening everyone with a price INCREASE, in the face of credible people selling credible products at 60 or 70% less! That's gotta be the cherry on top of this BS sundae!

[barnstmr]

Re: factory web site info on struts

I have done the math for everything through the F22 Aerobatic Category +6G, -2.4G. 4130 is OVERKILL. Aluminum of .063 with proper end attachments would be just fine with acceptable margins. Don't let them fool you into believing anything must be 4130.

[robbie]

Re: factory web site info on struts

Now if I was running the factory, you guys would have 2 sets of struts to pick from. Org. size 4130 or something you could afford like what Airframes is offering.
Hey Harry, you want me come down and run this thing like it should be.
"Successfully"
Still can't believe $4460. for struts for a t-craft. No wonder the factory is in trouble. If any one of you were running the store, wouldn't you find something cheaper?
I'm afraid if Taylorcraft was counting on this to get back on the ground, the Alaska boys are going to shoot that great idea down.

[O.Taylor]

Re: factory web site info on struts

I was looking at the Cubcrafters S2 light sport Cub at OSH and noticed the lift struts were Aluminium streamlined tubing, and open at both ends. I wonder where they are having there's made and what it would take to get something in Aluminum approved? or will that put me in the barrel?? just wondering around on my keyboard. Good evening all, O.T.

[Buell Powell]

Re: factory web site info on struts

O. T.
My Fairchild 24 has original Aluminum struts that are open on both ends. They can be inspected easily with a flashlight and show no signs of corosion at all. I have never heard of a Fairchild that had a problem with struts unless they were damaged by hitting something. Good Idea.
Buell

[robbie]

Re: factory web site info on struts

Another question.
Does the service bulletin give us 90 days from now to comply with it?

[Buell Powell]

Re: factory web site info on struts

They should-a lot of us have waited until the first 90 days have run out to see if the FAA would change the AD to something close to reasonable.

[astjp2]

Re: factory web site info on struts

I Know of several "airplanes" that are surely unaware that thier struts need NDI and the factory has deemed them unsafe, of course they are still being flown and probably will until thier caught.....

[flyguy]

Re: factory web site info on struts

I'm sitting on it. Just waiting for an opening. Feel bad about the guys who need to keep their plane in service at whatever cost.

I just wrote up an essay, one full page, on eveything I know on the strut debacle.

When just the facts are put together on one page that way it is truly ugly. How unfortunate there is no one to send it to that would change the situation.

DC

[UNIVAIR]

Re: factory web site info on struts

I can't help but notice on their strut "choices" information page that their whole argument for their product is fairly weak.

They are waving the American flag on their product, but is there any streamline tubing of any type built outside the USA?

They say that 60 years ago Taylorcraft made the stupendous and brave decision to use 4130... but are 1946 or 1947 factory Taylorcraft wing struts made from 1025 or 4130?

They boast "built on OEM jigs and tools"... either struts fit or they don't. If Harry ordered new strut jigs made up, you can bet your ass the website would say "All new strut jigs... not 60 year old worn out jigs!!!"

Looking through their parts selections, I can't also help but notice that instead of saying XYZ part is simply not available it says "sold out". As if they think they are fooling everyone into believing they are selling parts as fast as they can make them

And threatening everyone with a price INCREASE, in the face of credible people selling credible products at 60 or 70% less! That's gotta be the cherry on top of this BS sundae!

OK Time for me to chime in. I mentioned the other day that because we WERE making deliveries, we are also getting very good at making T-Craft struts these days. Historically we have only had to make T-Craft struts in batchs of 10, 15, 20 at a time. Our work orders are now for 50 to 100 each and we are seeing some economy of scale and with that we can also do someting on price. As I have been trying to convey the last couple of days, we are sensitive to all of you aircraft owners when ADs or Service Bulletins come out even though there is plenty of banter to the contrary. However. we are doing what we can.

Our UA-A815 Front struts are now $499.00 each and our UA-A854 rear struts are $449.00 each.

Mike Sellers
Marketing and Sales Manager
Univair Aircraft
Aurora, CO

[VictorBravo]

Re: factory web site info on struts

we are sensitive to all of you aircraft owners when ADs or Service Bulletins come out even though there is plenty of banter to the contrary. However. we are doing what we can.

Mike, please do not be confused... you can be absolutely certain that the "factory" I was so pointedly referring to in the post you quoted was NOT Univair. I have had nothing but good experiences in my few purchases from you guys. Didn't mean to rattle your cage

It's the circus down in Brownsville that some of us (myself and several others) have such a hard-on for. I already have the good fortune to be flying under Univair struts (on the front).

[VictorBravo]

Re: factory web site info on struts

I have done the math for everything through the F22 Aerobatic Category +6G, -2.4G. 4130 is OVERKILL. Aluminum of .063 with proper end attachments would be just fine with acceptable margins. Don't let them fool you into believing anything must be 4130.

YOWZA YOWZA YOWZA !!!

That's a Heineken for Terry!

[robbie]

Re: factory web site info on struts

Way to go UNIVAIR, $1900. for the set.
Mike, will my jury struts straps work with your struts.
Can you give us the material the struts are made from and rough shipping cost.
Thanks again for jumping in on the board and keeping us informed on this situation.

[UNIVAIR]

Re: factory web site info on struts

Mike, please do not be confused... you can be absolutely certain that the "factory" I was so pointedly referring to in the post you quoted was NOT Univair. I have had nothing but good experiences in my few purchases from you guys. Didn't mean to rattle your cage

It's the circus down in Brownsville that some of us (myself and several others) have such a hard-on for. I already have the good fortune to be flying under Univair struts (on the front).

Hey Bill, chill.

I'm up to speed. My point is Brownsville just raised its strut prices and I'm letting you guys know Univair just lowered them.

Mike Sellers
Univair