Anticept Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 We're doing a repair job on one of our CTs from a student hard landing busting up the firewall, and as soon as we got the parts quote, our jaws dropped. 4,700+ for an engine mount. 3,000+ for a nose fork and strut. By the time we were done including some other odds and ends, the materials from Flight Design hit close to 10k. I know that these are not common parts, so economy of scale can't easily play a role, but seriously. Piper engine mounts are under 500. Evektor engine mounts are just over 300. I love Flight Design USA and their support is great, and helps us source parts locally for cost reasons (even offered to pay them for the referrals but they refused), but somewhere in the logistics chain, there's some serious price gouging and I'm really, REALLY getting tired of it. Even though this is an insurance job, this really puts me off because if I ever have to replace any of these parts from normal wear and tear, it's going to hurt a LOT. For this reason, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to recommend that anyone buy a Flight Design aircraft at this point. Sorry for ranting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 pricy...in deed ........ LS or SW ? what about delay to get them ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastEddieB Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I hate to say it, but coming from the Cirrus world, those seem almost like bargain basement prices! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I bet for $3000 we could weld up a perfectly-fitting nose fork and have it plated in gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liltaka Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I do agree, parts are way too expensive...especially nose gear. I bet many CTSW owners would like to upgrade to tundra tires if FD offer price reduction on parts. Can FDUSA ask all CTSW owners with small tires and do one time bulk order of parts to upgrade everyone in the U.S.? Then also stock pile some of the at cost parts at FDUSA for flight school owners like Anticept would be nice. I am very sure that upgrading all CTSW to tundra at cost will further help FD to grow more roots in the U.S. market. Also, publishing that story on aviation magazine is like free marketing too...no? just my 2 cents? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastEddieB Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I bet many CTSW owners would like to upgrade to tundra tires if FD offer price reduction on parts. I think you fail to take into account the sheer raw materials that tundra tires require! Of course, Karen is of the opinion that size does matter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liltaka Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 FastEddieB, Sorry, I failed to mention, CTSW tundra upgrade is not exactly "tundra" like your picture. We can only upgrade nose from 400 x 4 to 400 x 6, then mains from 400 x 6 to 600 x 6. For this, we have to change nose folk & all 3 fairings which will cost $7000. FD said, we cannot just change mains since bigger mains will change the angle... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastEddieB Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I know. That was a joke. Or was supposed to be. I just find the "tundra" moniker amusing, is all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmInce Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 One upgrade I would love to see for the CTSW is the composite landing gear for the mains. It is my understanding that the European version of the SW is equipped with it. Ian, maybe you could weigh in on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 One upgrade I would love to see for the CTSW is the composite landing gear for the mains. It is my understanding that the European version of the SW is equipped with it. It,s called the Supralight SW body with LS gear and wings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted April 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I hate to say it, but coming from the Cirrus world, those seem almost like bargain basement prices! This is why I will not buy a Cirrus. Nice planes, but I'm not in their target market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Bill, Jacques beat me to it - the SW Supralite does have the composite gear. I went down to Damyns Hall last week which is the home of the UK distributor and saw one (just to look at - not to buy) - what I didn't like about it was that to get the weight way down they ONLY have a single EFIS - no back up gauges at all. Personally I wouldn't fly it, if the electronics fail I want at least an ASI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbigs Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 We're doing a repair job on one of our CTs from a student hard landing busting up the firewall, and as soon as we got the parts quote, our jaws dropped. 4,700+ for an engine mount. 3,000+ for a nose fork and strut. By the time we were done including some other odds and ends, the materials from Flight Design hit close to 10k. I know that these are not common parts, so economy of scale can't easily play a role, but seriously. Piper engine mounts are under 500. Evektor engine mounts are just over 300. I love Flight Design USA and their support is great, and helps us source parts locally for cost reasons (even offered to pay them for the referrals but they refused), but somewhere in the logistics chain, there's some serious price gouging and I'm really, REALLY getting tired of it. Even though this is an insurance job, this really puts me off because if I ever have to replace any of these parts from normal wear and tear, it's going to hurt a LOT. For this reason, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to recommend that anyone buy a Flight Design aircraft at this point. Sorry for ranting. Teach the students not to wreck the planes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Teach the students not to wreck the planes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted April 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I just ignore him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmInce Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Or . . . run out of gas. I'm sure he can relate to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbigs Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Or . . . run out of gas. I'm sure he can relate to that. Or carry a pee bottle Ince? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmInce Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I just ignore him. I also, but his BS posts still "worm" their way past my twit filter as others respond to his chronic false information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted April 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I also, but his BS posts still "worm" their way past my twit filter as others respond his chronic false information. I know. Sometimes I'm baited into it too. But his last comment just made me laugh and roll my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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