Factory Spare Parts Update requested

[RobertP]

Hi all,

Does anyone know or had personal experience of obtaining spare parts recently from the Factory? I am thinking in particular for the more recent aircraft ( my aircraft is an F22A ) but any model would do for that matter.

What is the situation with Scott Ruffner (is he a man to be trusted?) and Antonio? is the Factory still functioning at all or is it "boarded up"?

The reason for this request is that I am fighting with the UK CAA to have my aircraft transferred to a Permit system in line with the other older UK T/crafts to make repairs etc much easier and my main thrust is the difficulty in obtaining certified spare parts for my aircraft (all my telephone calls to the Factory have gone unanswered & likewise emails) However the CAA have managed to contact a person called Scott Ruffner who has apparently given them an assurance that my aircraft is still supported and that parts can be obtained via a person called Antonio who still works at the factory?

I am somewhat sceptical based on my own experience especially on the past experiences I have read on the forum of others hence my concerns over the possible integrity of the information supplied to the CAA? If what Scott Ruffner has said is correct so much to the good but I have to ask the question.

Likewise any news on the TC's

Regards,

Bob Preston (Swansea West Wales UK )

[3Dreaming]

Re: Factory Spare Parts Update requested

I have not seen anyone on the forum who has dealt with Antonio have anything bad to say. He is alone at the factory with many duties, so just keep trying the phone until you get him. It is my understanding that they are just selling parts from inventory, so if they have something you need you are good to go. If they don't have it you will have a long wait because they don't have approval to make parts. If something I have said is wrong please let me know so I can change my post. Tom

[mikerice]

Re: Factory Spare Parts Update requested

I spoke with Antonio last week(9-9-2009). I just moved the taylorcraft.com website to a new server, as an upgrade of hardware. They are still there in Brownsville and still getting emails.

[AndyDuke]

Re: Factory Spare Parts Update requested

Bob, I spoke with Antonio at the factory some time ago regarding some cowlings that they had but they were disinclined to sell them abroad because of the export paperwork that is involved (their excuse at the time). Anyway they declined to get a quote for shipping so I ended up going elsewhere. I've had similar problems with smaller items such as aileron hinges.

I'm not sure what the problem is at their end but I think it would be difficult to get spares if they didn't have them in stock as I'm not sure they have the proper cirtification requirements for spares production. The CAA need to check with the factory that parts not listed on the factory website can be provided, if not you may still have a case for moving to a permit.

Andy.