If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
(Mini-500)I want to build the most EVIL plane EVER !!!
I don't have much time to research your "time line" for accuracy, I'm to
busy on other projects. But, assuming you are correct, and the dates you have sounds about right to me, here are some answers: C.D.Damron wrote: Dennis, in separate posts, you have provided the info required to establish a timeline that shows you were more concerned with marketing than testing. You obviously have never designed, tested, manufactured and sold aircraft, or you would know better as to the balance it takes in the kitbuilt industry to accomplish such a goal. Yes, the purpose of the project was to sell and deliver kitbuilt helicopters. What a surprise, eh? We are not certified, can't charge certified prices, and don't have funding that it takes to test to certified levels. That's why there is "certified aircraft" and "kitbuilt experimental aircraft". Are you really a fool that don't understand the kitbuilt market? We tested for as long as we financially could, and for as long as the customers would tolerate. It was finally up to the customers when we had to freeze the design, because it became clear they would not wait any longer. We were at a point where we had solved all the design problems, tested to the point where we were having no immediate foreseeable problems, and then started manufacturing. That is what most all kitbuilt manufacturer have to do. Besides, let's not forget the fact that even what little problems the Mini-500 did have in customers hands; 1. We fixed those problems for free or at cost. 2. We still had less problems than certified helicopters had at introductions. 3. We never had a crash due to a failed part that was properly installed and maintained. 4. We never had a crash due to poor flying characteristics, in fact we had excellent flying characteristics. Could we have been even better? Absolutely, if we would have had all of our experience and knowledge in advance. But, we did very well, even considering it was our first helicopter project, we succeeded when most all other failed. In the Summer of 1992, the Mini-500 showed up at Oshkosh, but that aircraft didn't have its 40 hours flown off yet. Whether this was the first Mini or not, the timeline suggests that Fetters designed and tested his new design in a year and half, or less. That seems to be right. I started in December - January 1990. Sometime in 1992, brochures were in circulation stating non-engine TBO's of 2000+ hours. By October of 1992, Revolution reported at least 150 orders had been placed. No, we started saying we were designing the components to a 2000 hour life back in mid 1990. Dude, I had 50 orders before I even finished the first aircraft. After I flew it for the first time sometime in 1991, I had over 100 orders. I'm not sure when the first Mini-500's shipped, but it is clear that the sales effort was on before the design was completed and TBO claims were advertised that had not been tested. You are correct. Welcome to the kitbuilt world. That is how it is done. By July of 1995, N500ZZ (serial #0000) only had 200 hours and was by everybody's opinion, the aircraft with the most time. Sounds correct. Dennis, when Revolution had 150 orders, how many hours did your high time aircraft have??? I can't remember without looking it up, and I don't have that much time. But, if it were around 50 to 100 hours would not surprise me. But, by the time we started shipping kits, we had well more than double that, as I remember. The point you are trying to make is that I had the audacity to actually take orders for the Mini-500 before it was fully tested!!! OH MY GOD!!!! Well, wake up Mr. Darmon and smell the aviation fuel! That is how the kitbuilt market works. Don't like it? Stay away from it! Dennis Fetters Designer of; Air Command 1/plcs Gyroplanes Air Command 2/plcs Gyroplanes Mini-500 1/Plcs Helicopter Voyager-500 2/Plcs Helicopter Excalibur 5/Plcs Turbine Helicopter Star-Lite-A VTUAV Helicopter Star-Lite-B VTUAV Helicopter |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
American nazi pond scum, version two | bushite kills bushite | Naval Aviation | 0 | December 21st 04 11:46 PM |
Hey! What fun!! Let's let them kill ourselves!!! | [email protected] | Naval Aviation | 2 | December 17th 04 10:45 PM |
rec.aviation.aerobatics FAQ | Dr. Guenther Eichhorn | Aerobatics | 0 | November 1st 03 07:27 AM |
Conspiracy Theorists (amusing) | Grantland | Military Aviation | 1 | October 2nd 03 12:17 AM |
rec.aviation.aerobatics FAQ | Dr. Guenther Eichhorn | Aerobatics | 0 | October 1st 03 07:27 AM |