Express Aircraft of Olympia WA quits

Dan,

I can see you point, but you are really stretching here IMO. First, Mooney
now has a quality level similar to that of Beech. Second, there are
financially sound manufacturers who have left buyers in similar situations
even without going TU.

So the plane needs a new spar, that does not make the plane worthless. I
suppose you are of the everything but Beech and Cessna is a cr*p sandwich
variety?

One day, barring a new design that is not forthcoming, those guys will pull
out of piston planes for good. If they don't manage to kill off our little
hobby (which they would do in a minute if they could sell more jets by doing
it), what do you plan to do?

Are you willing to buy a Cirrus, Diamond, or Lancair? People who keep up the
"nuth'n but a Cessna" attitude are just killing GA slowly. I see them
running all over the alphabet organizations, including AOPA. It's so
disappointing.


"Dan Luke" wrote in message
...

"Dude" wrote:

Why would you be less inclined to buy a new one than an old one?

The warranty might not be honored if the mfr. goes TU. A lot of the value
of a new airplane is in the warranty. Suppose you bought a new Commander,
the co. went bankrupt and it was discovered there was a metallurgical flaw
in the main wing spars on new models? That's a not-too-far-fetched
scenario
that would leave you with a $half-million, non-airworthy hangar queen and
no
recourse.

Seems like you are in the same boat.

Not really.

Besides, Cessna pulled the plug on building piston planes even when they
had
money, what's the difference?

Cessna was still a viable company; it did not cancel warranties on new
aircraft when it stopped production of piston a/c.
--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM

"Dan Luke" wrote in message
...

"Dude" wrote:

Why would you be less inclined to buy a new one than an old one?

The warranty might not be honored if the mfr. goes TU. A lot of the value
of a new airplane is in the warranty. Suppose you bought a new Commander,
the co. went bankrupt and it was discovered there was a metallurgical flaw
in the main wing spars on new models? That's a not-too-far-fetched
scenario
that would leave you with a $half-million, non-airworthy hangar queen and
no
recourse.

You could have it fixed! out of your own pocket surly if you could afford a
half-million dollar aircraft I am sure you could have it fixed if the mfg.
went out of business


Seems like you are in the same boat.

Not really.

Besides, Cessna pulled the plug on building piston planes even when they
had
money, what's the difference?

Cessna was still a viable company; it did not cancel warranties on new
aircraft when it stopped production of piston a/c.

Cessna did not go out of business they just stopped a product line big
difference.

--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM

Dan Luke wrote:

"Jay Honeck" wrote:

Here's a news scoop for you all...

Another one:

Amazingly, it's being reported that Commander Aircraft has found "new
investors" and is back up and running.

Ya just gotta wonder where these guys keep finding investors?


What's even more amazing to me is that they will find customers if they get
back into production. Would you buy a new Commander (or Mooney, for that
matter) knowing the shakey history of the company?

Which one's aren't shakey these days? The New Piper? Cessna who just
up and quit production a few years ago and likely will do so again in a
few more years? Cirrus? They seem to be on a roll, but who knows how
long that will last. I think buying any GA aircraft smaller than a
business jet is risky if you are worried about the maker going TU. The
good thing is that most discontinued airplanes seem to find someone to
keep them in the air.


Matt

Which one's aren't shakey these days? The New Piper?

Good point.

Piper's Vero Beach plant took several major hits from all the hurricanes.
Over on the Cherokee Pilots Association site, we're taking up a collection
for their displaced workers, who currently have no income and no idea when
they'll be able to return to work.

It's very sad -- but the CPA has raised almost $20K for them, just in little
donations from members, in just a few days.

I find that to be amazing. The CPA is really a great group of folks.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

In rec.aviation.owning Jay Honeck wrote:
It's very sad -- but the CPA has raised almost $20K for them, just in little
donations from members, in just a few days.
I find that to be amazing. The CPA is really a great group of folks.


Not quite. We just broke $3000, not $20K.

--- Jay



--
__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino ! ! !
http://www.oceancityairport.com
http://www.oc-adolfos.com

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...
Dan Luke wrote:

"Jay Honeck" wrote:

Here's a news scoop for you all...

Another one:

Amazingly, it's being reported that Commander Aircraft has found "new
investors" and is back up and running.

Ya just gotta wonder where these guys keep finding investors?


What's even more amazing to me is that they will find customers if they
get
back into production. Would you buy a new Commander (or Mooney, for
that
matter) knowing the shakey history of the company?

Which one's aren't shakey these days? The New Piper? Cessna who just
up and quit production a few years ago and likely will do so again in a
few more years? Cirrus? They seem to be on a roll, but who knows how
long that will last. I think buying any GA aircraft smaller than a
business jet is risky if you are worried about the maker going TU. The
good thing is that most discontinued airplanes seem to find someone to
keep them in the air.


Matt


Look at VANS aircraft kits, they are Simi local to me I went on a factory
tour and asked a question! Where is the place in the factory that puts the
quick build kits together? They responded they make the parts here send them
over seas to be put together and then they are shipped back here! Maybe
piper or Cessna may start doing this maybe they could save a bunch of money.

The unions would NEVER let that happen at Cessna and Piper with regards
to "outsourcing". Vans wasn't taking jobs from Americans who were
already working for them when they made the outsourcing decision, or if
they did, it wasn't nearly on the scale of what Cessna, Piper or Beech
would have to undertake.

And how many of us would be willing or able to shell out for a
quickbuild that was preassembled at the rate of $20-30 and hour?

Dave

NW_PILOT wrote:

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...

Dan Luke wrote:


"Jay Honeck" wrote:


Here's a news scoop for you all...

Another one:

Amazingly, it's being reported that Commander Aircraft has found "new
investors" and is back up and running.

Ya just gotta wonder where these guys keep finding investors?


What's even more amazing to me is that they will find customers if they

get

back into production. Would you buy a new Commander (or Mooney, for

that

matter) knowing the shakey history of the company?

Which one's aren't shakey these days? The New Piper? Cessna who just
up and quit production a few years ago and likely will do so again in a
few more years? Cirrus? They seem to be on a roll, but who knows how
long that will last. I think buying any GA aircraft smaller than a
business jet is risky if you are worried about the maker going TU. The
good thing is that most discontinued airplanes seem to find someone to
keep them in the air.


Matt



Look at VANS aircraft kits, they are Simi local to me I went on a factory
tour and asked a question! Where is the place in the factory that puts the
quick build kits together? They responded they make the parts here send them
over seas to be put together and then they are shipped back here! Maybe
piper or Cessna may start doing this maybe they could save a bunch of money.

Here's a news scoop for you all...

Express Aircraft Company, formerly Wheeler Express, has gone out of
business. Apparently TCM (Teledyne Continental Motors) was unable to
honor shipment of their "Full Authority Digital Engine Control" (FADEC)
IOF-550 engines which Express had banked on, promised out, and designed
around, which left them in dire straits.

Too bad...I have watched this company for a long time and the aircraft
is a real sleek, roomy, clean-lined 4-place composite that handles
exceptionally well.

Must be a kharmic thingy because two CEO's of the company have died in
separate crashes on maiden flights while testing out new models.

You heard it first here!!


Antonio


No, didn't hear it first here but that is not important. The important thing
is that another very fine aircraft has been lost to our community. The Express
was an outstanding and beautiful aircraft that deserves to be continued. I
really hope that someone will step forward and continue the aircraft. Maybe
this is another one for Aircraft Spruce to pickup.


Bob Reed
www.kisbuild.r-a-reed-assoc.com (KIS Builders Site)
KIS Cruiser in progress...Slow but steady progress....

"Ladies and Gentlemen, take my advice,
pull down your pants and Slide on the Ice!"
(M.A.S.H. Sidney Freedman)

("Antonio dancingstar" wrote)
Here's a news scoop for you all...

Express Aircraft Company, formerly Wheeler Express, has gone out of
business. Apparently TCM (Teledyne Continental Motors) was unable to
honor shipment of their "Full Authority Digital Engine Control" (FADEC)
IOF-550 engines which Express had banked on, promised out, and designed
around, which left them in dire straits.

(specs and price $150,000 OBO)
http://www.express-aircraft.com/Aircraft%20Specs.htm

N511EA was registered in 1999 and has 731 hours total time since new.

Engine/HP Continental IO-550-N (310hp)

Prop Hartzell 3-Blade Constant Speed

Landing Gear Fixed Tricycle

Cabin Width (Front/Rear) ...46"/44"

Payload (with/140 gallons of fuel) ...935 lbs.

Cruise @ 75% ....175 kts TAS

Stall Speed Vs1 ...55 kts
Stall Speed Vs0 ...53 kts

Range @ 75% Power ...1,800 nm
Rate of Climb (Gross) ...1,200 fpm

Maximum Service Ceiling ....20,000 ft.

$150,000 (OBO) ...offer $85K and see what happens g.


Montblack

They are selling their molds also.
http://www.express-aircraft.com/fiberglass_molds.htm


"Montblack" wrote in message
...
("Antonio dancingstar" wrote)
Here's a news scoop for you all...

Express Aircraft Company, formerly Wheeler Express, has gone out of
business. Apparently TCM (Teledyne Continental Motors) was unable to
honor shipment of their "Full Authority Digital Engine Control" (FADEC)
IOF-550 engines which Express had banked on, promised out, and designed
around, which left them in dire straits.

(specs and price $150,000 OBO)
http://www.express-aircraft.com/Aircraft%20Specs.htm

N511EA was registered in 1999 and has 731 hours total time since new.

Engine/HP Continental IO-550-N (310hp)

Prop Hartzell 3-Blade Constant Speed

Landing Gear Fixed Tricycle

Cabin Width (Front/Rear) ...46"/44"

Payload (with/140 gallons of fuel) ...935 lbs.

Cruise @ 75% ....175 kts TAS

Stall Speed Vs1 ...55 kts
Stall Speed Vs0 ...53 kts

Range @ 75% Power ...1,800 nm
Rate of Climb (Gross) ...1,200 fpm

Maximum Service Ceiling ....20,000 ft.

$150,000 (OBO) ...offer $85K and see what happens g.


Montblack