|
The last I heard the company that
manufactured the Wankel engine that GCA
was offering was in financial straights.
There was some talk about someone in the
United States picking up the rights to
manufacture the engine here in the states.
Maybe Bob could comment on this if there
has been any update. Great site Mike. Keep
up the great work.
Mark A.
Carter
<mark@ultrapilot.com>
- Wednesday, February 28, 2001 at 17:58:45
(PST)
|
Here's what's
happening to Wankel Rotary. They
are trying to relocate in the
U.S.; They seem to be in
financial trouble but so far this
is only speculation. If they make
the move to the U.S. the engine's
will come down in price
drasticly. Several Thousand
dollars. That's what I'm hoping
for. The previous owners have
possession of all the assetts
including thousands of spare
parts, patents and the jigs to
begian production. All the owners
of the engine's have nothing to
worry about as far as getting
backup for many years. I expect
that the engine will be back in
production within 2 years. They
say much earlier... But you and I
know how these things go. This is
partly speculation on my part but
it's What I have gleaned from
them so far. I'll keep you up to
date. Breaks my heart that I've
finally found the engine of my
dreams and this happens. Anybody
got a few million to start
production. As far as the SNOW
SKI'S. Connect a hard cable from
the front and the back of the ski
to the outside bolt on the square
base tube. Also a bungie from the
front of the ski to the same
location. The rear cable is kind
of a limiter cable. the front one
is a safty cable. the bungie
keeps the ski up.
Bob Ellefson
<bobdorly@netins.net>
- Sunday,
December 03, 2000 at 05:18:03
(PST)
|
Wanted: T-Bird rebuild project, any
condition. More time than money.
Merlin Bennett
<msdbennett@aol.com>
- Wednesday, February 28, 2001 at 12:28:01
(PST)
The T-Bird factory has been testing a
rotary engine for some time now and
apparently offering it for sale now. Do
any of you have one of these installed? If
so, can you comment? Also, any experiences
with rotary engines in an automotive
application would be interesting.
Thanks.
Brian
FitzGerald
<brian@fitzvideo.com>
- Wednesday, February 28, 2001 at 09:41:49
(PST)
Al. Ok, I will be the one to ask...What
is Bob's secret? Hey everybody who has a
Tierra... Please post on the board if you
have any of the books that came with it. I
would like to know if all the old Manuals
were the same or if they were different.
There may be the golden one floating out
there. The one posted on Slowflight for
reference for the T -2 shows a parts list
with lengths, and OD for each part. I
wonder if there is one for the T-1 one
that does the same thing? Look at all your
paperwork. I sure would like to know...
Thanks everybody. And for those going to
Sun and Fun, stay safe... and see you
there!!! TR
TR Arizona
<N757NW@Home.com>
- Sunday, February 25, 2001 at 18:06:06
(PST)
If what I see is correct, Bob I commend
you! This is a great start, and I believe
we can begin to work together in a
positive fashion, I meant no harm, only
tried to get your attention. With the
sport pilot program coming into play we
need to all work together. There are a lot
of old birds out there and guys who need
your support, I commend you and say don't
stop there! You will feel better as we all
will......Thanks! Keep it up!
Al Sibi
<Taildrager12alp@aol.com>
- Sunday, February 25, 2001 at 17:43:05
(PST)
|
Al may be
referring to the review of
original tubes posted on the
front page of Tierra/T-Bird.
These were sent to Tierra/T-Bird
by an '83 owner/operator. Mr.
Ellefson's last post to
Tierra/T-Bird can be read
here. Mike
=]
|
Mike, U hold on dar fur da time being..
I'll fetch the teacher n ya uh big apple.
hit el com ya down. Thanks Mike for all
you do with this site... Have a great
day... TR
TR Arizona
<N757NW@Home.com>
- Thursday, February 22, 2001 at 16:08:08
(PST)
Ok, the issue of homemade parts is not
an issue, It is obvious that people take
the factory as the word of
God!......Fellas, its not......I recently
ferried a factory built Aerobatic wire
braced something or other, From upstate NY
to NJ. This plane was built at the factory
and said to be airworthy. I gotta ask, Who
thinkslamp cord for a tach and ignition
switches is airworthy? How 'bout a paper
filter with premix/ not oil injection, or
better yet the fuel line running down the
nose strut, pinched between the tube and
the pod. And that was just a glance. I was
hired to fly this plane to the
unsuspecting owner.....It was supposed to
be perfect......Not even close! My Arse in
a 12,000.00 airplane over the Hudson River
Corridor at 1100 Ft. No Way! Postponed the
trip, rewired and re plumbed, the entire
system. Now.....Upon removing the switch I
found wire twisted around the terminal no
ENDS! Factory Built!....This is not the
first time I have been shocked.....I have
seen a few questionable things in Florida
on a few occasions, One comes to mind at a
prominent seaplane factory, I was
disgusted to see a hole being reamed with
hand drills, bolts being bent so that
parts fit together.......And this is a top
of the line Seaplane Co, Mfg UL/and
Experimental.......Faith in your factory
can, at best, cost your wallet, at worst
it can cost you your life! Not knocking
the MFG here just stating the
facts.....Take a walk through most with
the exception of maybe Rans And
Quicksilver and you will find, average
people trying to make an average living.
U/L construction is not rocket science.
Most Mfg's still use hand benders and cut
tubes with a chop saw. Jigs are made with
wood and clamps. It is plainly obvious
that there are some who need to do their
homework....Factory.......Firestone
........Ford.....Need I say more, other
than Death!.........Needless to. The FAA
has a thing called the 51% rule......We
will all be introduced to this rule when
the Sport Pilot program finally hits. It
basically states that an amateur built
aircraft must be assembled by the builder
at least 51%. Take a walk down the flight
line at Oshkosh.....or .....Sun N
Fun......all those Glassairs.....Steen
Skybolts......KR2s...Long EZ etc. are
either plans built, or built from a kit
that meets the 51% rule. Meaning 51
percent of the plane was built by the
owner......Take a look at all the plans
for sale VP1 and
VP2....Bobcat.......Howland H3
Pegasus.....or Honey Bee....Call Angel No
kits available there only Raw stock! I
have a friend His name is Howard
Levy....He is an editor and photographer
for Kitplanes and Private pilot. And a
very dear friend, I often ask him what he
thinks of the industry. He has told me
there are good, bad, and ugly. Howard is
not a pilot, so he is unbiased.....He tell
it like he sees it! I would fly a
plansbuilt aircraft any day! The average
Joe cares more about himself and his well
being and his family's. Not the Almighty
$$$$$$. And it shows.....Homemade parts
can and will, for the most part, carry a
higher quality than most factory parts.
That's why they are called "after market"
parts. Face it, we as a whole family unit
can make this plane and its pilots safe
for all. If we pull together, close ranks
and work with sites like
this......Homemade parts are as good as,
if not better than, factory at
times.........Remember the unwritten rule,
"ultimately its your ass". You be the
judge....Quality or quantity......$$$$$$$$
or Your kids.......Bob I would love to buy
Spars from you.....I got what I needed
from someone else........They own a new
plane and lo 'n behold my spars match his
spars - including the sleeves
.......So......What does that mean. I have
a whole new respect for the T-bird owners
and pilots........Safety can be found in
numbers....and its lonely at the top. Yes,
you have your followers, and people who've
not had any real problems yet......But
their day is just round the
corner........What's the Saying? "Bleep me
once - Bleep you. Bleep me twice - bleep
me! Bleep me again....." Well you know the
rest! To the beloved factory
guy.....beware......You obviously have not
been bit yet!
Well gotta go make some more parts,
anybody need anything while I am at it!
=0) .....Take care and Safe happy
flying.....Blues Skies Always! By the way
Bob I know your secret!.......Its safe
with me......Until someone asks then I
shall tell! For there sake, certainly not
yours! I have a heart and compassion for
us unedumacated folk. And you should too,
its a great world we live in, Society will
love you better for it. Relax.....Life is
too good for this nonsense! We would all
be much better off if you just took a look
in the mirror, do you like the Bob that
you see........I don't think
so!........Remember when you sent me that
seat and seat cover in an unmarked
box......It was supposed to be COD and I
called you and told you a mistake was
made. You were shocked that I did that,
and the fact that I could have had
something for nothing........But no I
called and sent you a check......Now Bob
All I ask is you send us a check too! Not
money, just a check in the compassion and
willingness dept. We will all be better
off if you do. A little bit goes a long
way! Think About it! You will be a better
man if you do!
AL
<Taildrager12ALP@Aol.com>
- Thursday, February 22, 2001 at 16:07:21
(PST)
AAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I CAN'T
TAKE IT ANYMORE! My "retired school
teacher" self has finally HAD IT with the
spelling issue! SO, I've made some
corrections. Sorry, I couldn't help
myself. =]
Mike
<mike@napanet.net>
- Thursday, February 22, 2001 at 08:01:49
(PST)
Boy, I have been here in the office all
day. I just read my message and could not
believe all the spelling errors. Please
don't tell me how to spell. I did not have
my glasses on. Sorry guys. TR
TR Arizona
- Wednesday, February 21, 2001 at 18:23:49
(PST)
General aviation specs are very precise
on materials used. And avail. Rans
engineers will had have in the past shared
every bit of information I have ever
requested. Randy was very good about that.
And it is my understanding that Kitfox has
a very detailed set of plans. So you would
tell the young widow, he should have
bought factory parts. What if the plane he
had purchased had parts replaced and he
did not know of this and could not check
because GCA would not share this info. How
was he suppose to check the safety of it?
Don't get me wrong, I understand the need
to stay in business. I have also been
involved in retail. I understand his
concerns, but believe me, "CUSTOMER
RELATIONS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS"! When you
don't have location, location, and
location. Your customer relations is the
best tool you have. Just think if all the
magazines wrote an article on how great
customer support was from a factory what
it would do for his business. Now think if
the publisher of Ultralight Mag. or sport
pilot or even the defunct US Aviator would
have seen all this and realize the
concerns what an article by them would do
to a factory. I guess it is just two
different lines of thought. Heck Bob,
maybe I should offer to buy GCA from you.
You know what is funny, I will be at Sun
and Fun. I will speak with everyone from
the factory. I will look at the planes,
and shake Bob's hand. He will never know
it was me. Sort of like the info we
request and never get.. Food for thought.
Ok guys, I have been on my soap box long
enough about all this. I guess it just got
to me about the info. No more talking
about the factory. I'll see you at Sun and
Fun.... Mike, sorry to keep dragging this
our. Please fly safe everyone. Spring is
just around the corner. Accidents happen.
Look at Dale Earnhardt. TR
TR Arizona
<N757NW@Home.com>
- Wednesday, February 21, 2001 at 18:12:55
(PST)
I think that anytime you attempt to fly
with home made parts your taking a risk. I
would tell the young wife of a dead pilot
that crashed due to bad parts on his craft
that he should of ordered factory parts.
Maybe that is what this is all about. You
want to fly T Bird but not T Bird Parts. I
wonder if the same applies to Rans and
Challenger, Avid and a few others, or do
they require you to order factory parts.
Granted these are "Home Built", but have
you ever wondered why the GA manufactures
won't share some info and specs of
structural components? Try calling or
writing to Azuza, BRS or Power Fin and
tell them you don't want factory
replacement parts, just the specifications
to build your own replacements and see
what they tell you. It seems to me that if
you already have an old part to be
replaced, then you already have all the
specs too. In the trades, we call that an
exact pattern. Happy Flying ...LEBTF (Live
Easy But Think First)
Chuck Stonex
<cstonex1@home.com>
- Wednesday, February 21, 2001 at 17:41:36
(PST)
Hey Guys, Just a quick note of interest
through the grapevine. I hear the cost of
sails will be increasing. Great Salt Lake
Sails said he has not raised his cost in
several years but will have to do so due
to higher cost. May be the time to buy if
you are on the edge of needing new ones.
"Strong Sails good thing Jane" " Tarzan
fall like from grapevine with BAD sails"
Stay safe guys! TR
TR Arizona
<N757NW@Home.com>
- Wednesday, February 21, 2001 at 06:57:22
(PST)
I would like to thank you all for all
the info on my repair job on my 83'. It's
fixed and now if I can get some decent
weather I can fly it. If anyone wants to
know how to convert the belt drive
centrifigal force clutch set-up let me
know and I'll explain it to you.
Tom Csepke
<Tmzep1@aol.com>
- Wednesday, February 21, 2001 at 01:56:37
(PST)
Chuck, First let me say it is good you
see Bob as someone who builds only a
quality flying machine. NONE of us are
saying anything but praise for the T-Bird.
But one must realize that GCA is not the
only place to purchase aircraft parts.
When he fails to disclose the information
about the tubing sizes, he is in fact
helping to endanger lives. People without
the correct knowledge risk their lives,
sometime unknowingly. To share info and
stats on the craft would make the fleet
much safer. No one is trying to attack
Bob, but rather his judgment is in
question. He for some reason feels he will
be hurt if he publishes the information
requested. I for one would support Bob in
every aspect if I felt he was really
concerned with sharing information for
safety reasons. Human life is the most
precious thing on earth. No amount of
money can ever justify the lost of anyone
when it could have been prevented by
sharing information. Bob may run a greater
risk if someone gets killed and a lawyer
get involved and finds out he would not
share the info. History of this message
board alone would cause any jury to make a
judgment against him. We only want to be
able to have the confidence that what we
fly is built to the specs, which Bob will
not share. That is what I fail to
understand. I am sure Bob is a good guy.
And its great you defend your friend. But
what would you tell a young wife of
someone who guessed on a critical part, it
was wrong and he lost his life? Bob's a
good guy, sorry for your loss! As we have
stated, we would pay more and understand
why, but it's hard to do business with for
me with Bob under his current line of
thought. If you get a T-Bird, I hope it is
one that Bob has gone over and you know
its safe. But we don't all share the field
with him and have the same relationship.
Good luck Chuck with your hunt for the
T-Bird and fly safe. TR
TR Arizona
<N757NW@home.com>
- Tuesday, February 20, 2001 at 19:04:53
(PST)
Is the right way , the factory way? Is
the factory way, being mum about simple
thickness of some spars or should we
guess? We put our lives on the line when
we fly our planes and we expect them to be
right.
Joe Wooten
<wooten@nelsondesigngroup.com>
- Tuesday, February 20, 2001 at 15:11:44
(PST)
What is everyone attacking Bob and the
crew at GCA for? I live in the area of GCA
and get to visit anytime I choose, and
believe me when I sat that Bob and the
gang would not or will not do anything to
cause an aircraft of any kind to fly if it
is not 100% and that applies to pilot
qualifications and ability too. I am the
guy the rebuilt one of the hangers that
was damaged in last June's storm. That is
how close I live to GCA. There is two of
way of doing anything as it relates to
ultralights. Your way and the right way.
I'll vote for the right way which is
strangely also the factory way. Being that
I am also in the trades, I do not share
all of my secrets. If and When you buy a
used plane of GCA/ACSM, you will know
exactly what the air worthiness is or it
will not be sold. I have seen Bob
disassemble planes and throw them away for
being unsafe or not being reasonably
fixable. I am working hard at getting
myself a T Bird, new or used, and I will
buy it from or through Bob and GCA first.
Believe me I have looked at a lot of them.
And like Bob said in an earlier posting,
he is there 24/7. Keep up the good work
Bob.
Chuck Stonex
<cstonex1@home.com>
- Tuesday, February 20, 2001 at 11:43:40
(PST)
Mike, Thanks for the letter to Bob. I
think the proof will be in the pudding. If
Bob is serious about wanting to work with
T-Bird owners he will Answer in a positive
way. If not, well all those who are
looking to buy a T Bird will be able to
read the history on the message board and
make up their minds. I hope Bob realizes
how important it is for him to respond and
work with us. I see he never answered my
question about Sun and Fun ! But I guess
this is to be expected. Thanks again Mike
for putting it in letter form for us all.
TR
TR Arizona
<N757NW@Home.com>
- Tuesday, February 20, 2001 at 11:18:53
(PST)
Hold on take a break let me take a
pill. Wow ease up folks. I feel your pain
but I see Bobs point to. We all want our
planes to be right I agree. It would
probably cross our eyes to see what it
cost to keep the doors open at GSA with
the cost of Phones, Helpers, Buildings,
Utilities, Materials, LIABILITY INSURANCE
in case of a mistake whoever makes it,
taxes,and the other hundred things it
takes to function. If you have not been in
business for yourself you cannot
understand. I guess you can tell I have
been in business for 20 years and have
been there don't take that wrong, just
fact. I have been flying my 83 Tierra for
about 8 years and have found Bob and his
crew to be great folks to deal with. Got
my sails from GSA and I think I asked for
extras and they had done exactly what I
wanted for what they said it would cost.
Is there a problem? NO I like folks who do
that. Did I pay too much NO I'm happy.
They build nice planes that we all love
and have parts when we need them. That's
their business. Should Bob tell us what
wall thickness a tube is? I think so
because he wants you to be safe. Take
care,fly safe,GOD BLESS. Don
Don
<dhan2169@airmail.net>
- Monday, February 19, 2001 at 17:02:41
(PST)
Bob Ellefson has graciously and
generously responded individually to
Tierra/T-Bird and individuals posting on
this message board. He didn't have to do
that. Whatever else is said, the guy's a
good sport, and can handle criticism
pretty well. got to at least give him
that. Tierra/T-Bird's response to Bob and
GCA is posted as an Open Letter on the
front page of
Tierra/T-Bird. Stand by, I think Bob
is hearing you and wants to do the right
thing.
Mike
<mike@napanet.net>
- Monday, February 19, 2001 at 12:05:39
(PST)
Bob, I saw you posting, read the words
and thought of Bill Clinton. Not much
conviction in what you say. Why is it so
hard to say ok guys, I will work with you.
I want you to be happy with your airplane
and with GCA. You could start by giving
the info requested several times over the
past months on the spars. Heck we all know
where to go, the size now, etc. What do
you have to loose? What are you afraid of?
I wonder if the old story may not apply
here! A thief will worry about his things
more that an honest man. The thief
understands the dangers of his kind. I am
not saying you are a thief. Just
remembering the story. Also are you going
to be at Sun and Fun? TR
TR Arizona
<N757NW@Home.com>
- Sunday, February 18, 2001 at 15:16:51
(PST)
Old Messages
Feb
1-17, 2001 
Honesty.com.
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