TC Factory news?

[flyguy]

Anyone hear anything from the factory. It's a new year. Any calls or returned calls or emails? Where could they be? LOL--but really, seriously.
Darryl

[N74DV]

Re: TC Factory news?

Where could they be?

running away at full speed with a handful of promises yet unfulfilled?

[Tim Haake]

Re: TC Factory news?

I called the factory over a week ago regarding the latest news if any with the manufacture of the struts. I found all phone numbers were disconnected. As of this morning the phones are now ringing and back to their usual state of not being answered. Guess the phone bill got paid although whats the purpose if you don't answer them.

Tim

[flyguy]

Re: TC Factory news?

Wonder if there is some local (maybe aviation type) person down there who we could contact/support in some way, to be our local rep and check things out on a regular basis? Maybe I should call someone in the city government or chamber of commerce, whatever.
Darryl
Very poetic DJ, you should be a writer,

[VictorBravo]

Re: TC Factory news?

I'm reminded of a very clever lyric in a song called "You're so vain" by Carly Simon. The lyric is "you probably think this song is about you..."

What I'm trying to say is that if everyone keeps talking about the factory, arguing about the factory, praying for or against the factory...and basically wringing our hands outside Graceland asking if Elvis is alive or not... the current factory ownership and management will continue to exist and play a part in the lives of Taylorcraft owners.

If, however, we stop talking about them, stop throwing good money after bad, and just act as if nature has already taken it's course (Chapter 11), then we will no longer be affected by whatever they say or do.

It's kind of like a bad breakup between a boy and a girl. If they go their separate ways, then there is closure and healing. But if one of them becomes a stalker and won't stop stalking/calling/faxing/crying then it is never over and neither one of them can move on.

How long would the current Taylorcraft management continue to play a part in our lives if we collectively just shunned them and made it clear that they would no longer be getting any calls, checks, credit cards, or e-mails?

[flyguy]

Re: TC Factory news?

Yeah Bill, but it's like a TV Soap, people know the next day will just be more stupid, pointless stuff, but they still want to tune in to see what kind of idiotic things are going to happen.
Darryl

[jstall]

Re: TC Factory news?

I agree with the above, and particularly Bill, "There is no "Factory"" per say. They are producing nothing, have produced nothing, and more than likely won't produce anything. The strut deal could have healed them up but Harry muffed it, and that is over. He has had my money now for 3 months, I have been promissed time over time that the struts were shipping etc, only to find that they have never even been manufactured. Its my firm opinion also that the FAA was involved in this Scam that went bad, Not near enough engineering or inspection went into this deal before the STRUT AD WAS set forth, not near!!!! it's a sad day for all of us on this one, but we will survive.
We must move on, and up, and not allow the "Factory: nor the FAA to push
stuff against our A/C any longer, I would urge all readers to respond to the comments being allowed in the up comming A/D revision. Many things need to be addressed, compliance with ultrasound on the A/C for one, more time between inspectons like maybe 10 years not 4, on struts that passed in good shape, and maybe even revolking the A/D all together. The single source, "no failure", factual information wasn't enough to set the A/D in place
it was manufactured for monitary gains by??? well guess??

So much for that!!! rant over, going back to bed

Oh, My struts passed today ultra sound from Tailwinds Inspection Inc Tulsa, Ok, with flying colors. and?? the inspector said, there was absolutely no reason whatsoever that the struts couldn't be checked on the AIRCRAFT!
also said that in 15 sets he hadn't seen one set even close to not passing, and also felt that it was a set up to "SELL STRUTS". this is comming from a
non pilot type of NDT individual just making an observation.!

$3600.00 lesson "WELL LEARNED"

[crispy critter]

Re: TC Factory news?

I know this AD came way too fast and was pushed down our throats without any say or involvment in the decision. It should have been handled differently,proper studies done,comment period,etc. and not just taking one mans word for it but I must say......what about the very,very few select people who had struts that failed terribly. I know there was only a select few but the AD might have saved thier lives. I am not defending the actions taken by the factory or the FAA. It should have been handled differently and yes it should be an 8 or 10 year AD for hangered,land based birds but it is done and I feel it has saved at least one or two lives....can we honestly put a price tag these people??

[Forrest Barber]

Re: TC Factory news?

IF you had no say or involvement then that is your fault.

This was worked on since LAST April. It is still on going, the FAA does not need best guesses or past practice they need proof . I do completely agree with you that there was scrap in the system ( more than I imagined).

NOW lets move on to the strut attach fittings. YES we can inspect struts on airplane BUT we need to look at thse attach fittings. The ONLY way to do that is struts off..... lets keep the data coming in.

[jstall]

Re: TC Factory news?

I know this AD came way too fast and was pushed down our throats without any say or involvment in the decision. It should have been handled differently,proper studies done,comment period,etc. and not just taking one mans word for it but I must say......what about the very,very few select people who had struts that failed terribly. I know there was only a select few but the AD might have saved thier lives. I am not defending the actions taken by the factory or the FAA. It should have been handled differently and yes it should be an 8 or 10 year AD for hangered,land based birds but it is done and I feel it has saved at least one or two lives....can we honestly put a price tag these people??

Ya, you're right on that, I just really have a bad taste in my mouth over what happened to my 3600.00, really was my own fault, I should have known better, and ya, I sure that those ones that did fail and got corrected saved lives, so it is worth it. I'll survive. thanks for your comment Crispy

JS

[jstall]

Re: TC Factory news?

IF you had no say or involvement then that is your fault.

This was worked on since LAST April. It is still on going, the FAA does not need best guesses or past practice they need proof . I do completely agree with you that there was scrap in the system ( more than I imagined).

NOW lets move on to the strut attach fittings. YES we can inspect struts on airplane BUT we need to look at thse attach fittings. The ONLY way to do that is struts off..... lets keep the data coming in.

Agree, and also we can't treat the struts with seal, or oil without them being off, but once this has been complied with, maybe a longer time between next time, or let an interm inspection be done on the a/c. Heck I don't know what is best, just know that I've got a nice clean example of a BC-12 D thata has cost more to maintain to date over the past 3 years than my 195??
that I've operated since 1968?? that is a surprise.

JS

[VictorBravo]

Re: TC Factory news?

but I must say......what about the very,very few select people who had struts that failed terribly. I know there was only a select few but the AD might have saved thier lives.

and I feel it has saved at least one or two lives....can we honestly put a price tag these people??

For whatever it is worth I am in total agreement that there needed to be a mandatory inspection, and I'm glad there is a mandatory inspection, and I think that some lives were indeed saved.

I would like to thank Harry Ingram for trying to break in and burglarize a home, falling through the roof and killing himself in the process, because now we know we need to fix the roof.... speaking figuratively, of course.

Everyone involved in this issue agrees that the airplanes are getting old and need more thorough inspections. The FAA has hopefully learned a lesson that they should have involved all the parties who have real knowledge or experience IMMEDIATELY, and formulated the AD with the participation of people who have verifiable knowledge and technical expertise in these matters. This informal internet group is ten times more qualified of an "engineering department" than the factory has.

Our lesson is the we were guilty of being behind the curve inspecting these old ships. Their lesson is that they were guilty of driving under the influence of Harry .

As far as putting a price tag on those few people, one can only imagine how important flight safety would have been to the "factory" if there was no money at stake in this strut game.

[jstall]

Re: TC Factory news?

For whatever it is worth I am in total agreement that there needed to be a mandatory inspection, and I'm glad there is a mandatory inspection, and I think that some lives were indeed saved.

I would like to thank Harry Ingram for trying to break in and burglarize a home, falling through the roof and killing himself in the process, because now we know we need to fix the roof.... speaking figuratively, of course.

Everyone involved in this issue agrees that the airplanes are getting old and need more thorough inspections. The FAA has hopefully learned a lesson that they should have involved all the parties who have real knowledge or experience IMMEDIATELY, and formulated the AD with the participation of people who have verifiable knowledge and technical expertise in these matters. This informal internet group is ten times more qualified of an "engineering department" than the factory has.


Very Good Note Bill

JS

Our lesson is the we were guilty of being behind the curve inspecting these old ships. Their lesson is that they were guilty of driving under the influence of Harry .

As far as putting a price tag on those few people, one can only imagine how important flight safety would have been to the "factory" if there was no money at stake in this strut game.

Bill: You are right on target with this, I agree totally, yes they are getting old and need to really be looked at. I've been a member of the Cessna 195 club for 40 years, Staggerwing Beech for 41 years, and all of these "type clubs" do this, and we are the same, we all need to network more, and do what we have been seeing lately on this forum, it healthy for
the sport, and our lives


JS

[jstall]

Re: TC Factory news?

IF you had no say or involvement then that is your fault.

This was worked on since LAST April. It is still on going, the FAA does not need best guesses or past practice they need proof . I do completely agree with you that there was scrap in the system ( more than I imagined).

NOW lets move on to the strut attach fittings. YES we can inspect struts on airplane BUT we need to look at thse attach fittings. The ONLY way to do that is struts off..... lets keep the data coming in.

FORREST, JUST GOT OFF PHONE WITH YOUR ANSWERING SYTEM, MY I.A. SAYS THERE IS NO PLACE THAT HE CAN FIND IN THE FAA RECORDS THAT
WILL STATE THAT THE TIME ON THIS A/D HAS BEEN EXTENDED FROM 24 MONTHS TO 48??? AND WON'T SIGN IT OFF ACCORDINGLY??? ANY IDEAS ON THIS

J STALLINGS
ALVA, OK

[jstall]

Re: TC Factory news?

Found It-----------------> Amoc

Js