sandpiper Posted July 1, 2022 Report Share Posted July 1, 2022 This morning I called Flight Design USA and asked to speak with Arian to order some parts. I found out that Arian is leaving FD. The woman I talked to said she wasn't sure when he is leaving and wouldn't say where he is going. She said he is only working 8 to 10am M-F until he leaves. I have always found him to be easy to work with. I will miss him and wish him good luck in his new endeavors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vance Posted July 2, 2022 Report Share Posted July 2, 2022 Sorry to hear that - he’s been great to work with. The woman’s name is Natasha Shvydka, and handles shipping and probably much more. We’re lucky to have this crew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted July 2, 2022 Report Share Posted July 2, 2022 Natasha is Tom Peghiny's wife. She is Ukrainian and I have been working with her to obtain donations for the Kherson employees for a while. The situation is very bad in Kherson and any money makes a huge difference. A dollar goes a long way in Ukraine for food and meds. It is increasingly difficult to get people to donate as the war is old info. I collect money through my store in Savannah, GA but it's a slow process Any of you still willing to donate, it will make a huge difference, just call Natasha. The money only goes to the employees, there are 230 employees Some prewar photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 Read the Flight Design newsletter dated July 29 at Oshkosh but arriving here on 1 Aug. Airtime Aviation (Gutmann & Gutmann) of Tulsa are taking over from Flight Design USA, Tom Peghiney. Peghiny will stay on in a consulting role. The king is dead. Long live the king. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 The newsletter in the previous message says FD has 65 orders on the books and expects to deliver 3 aircraft a month by the end of 2022. That means the backlog right now is 22 months, and that isn't saying what happens between now and the end of 2022 to get production rolling. I was told by Daniel Guenther of FD at Oshkosh that the plant in the Czech Republic is progressing (I don't know if it is producing or when it will start). In the meantime, the plant in Taiwan is focusing on the Asian market, I was told. I'm nto sure what that means for parts. Tom Gutmann Jr., told me Airtime Aviation was doing more repair and less parts replacement but didn't seem critically concerned about parts when we talked at Oshkosh. https://flyct.com Airtime Aviation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 I had a long talk with Tom Peghiny at Oshkosh. I told him how much I appreciated everything he and his team did for FD, and that I was sorry to see him change positions. At the same time, if such a change had to be, I am happy the Gutmann's are the new service and support center. I've had very good working relationships with the Gutmanns over the years. Tom Peghiny's reasons for leaving are as much personal as business. He has my utmost empathy and appreciation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 I can confirm the change. I was told about 2 weeks ago, but I refrained from saying anything in case I misheard or misunderstood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyb Posted August 1, 2022 Report Share Posted August 1, 2022 I purchased my plane from Airtime, and worked closely with both of the Gutmann principals. In addition to handling the sale, they did fairly extensive work on the plane for me, prior to my taking possession. I found them to be great to work with, during and after the sale. I expect they'll do a good job in their new role. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted August 2, 2022 Report Share Posted August 2, 2022 19 hours ago, Jim Meade said: Read the Flight Design newsletter dated July 29 at Oshkosh but arriving here on 1 Aug. Airtime Aviation (Gutmann & Gutmann) of Tulsa are taking over from Flight Design USA, Tom Peghiney. Peghiny will stay on in a consulting role. The king is dead. Long live the king. Oh...that's quite a change. My airplane was originally an Airtime sale, though I bought it second-hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted August 2, 2022 Report Share Posted August 2, 2022 I suspect it will be a long and difficult transition to the Czech Republic operation. Financial and logistic issues will not be easy especially in the economic state of affairs in that part of the world. Kherson is completely isolated and still under seige with no travel possible , which takes it completely out of the picture for the acquired expertise. I hope all works out but I believe it will be difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted August 2, 2022 Report Share Posted August 2, 2022 3 minutes ago, Madhatter said: I suspect it will be a long and difficult transition to the Czech Republic operation. Financial and logistic issues will not be easy especially in the economic state of affairs in that part of the world. Kherson is completely isolated and still under seige with no travel possible , which takes it completely out of the picture for the acquired expertise. I hope all works out but I believe it will be difficult. I imagine all the jigs, dies, and custom equipment for building CTs is still stuck in Kherson and will be until this conflict resolves. Having to re-create all that in the Czech Republic will take money and time. Not to mention they are moving into a new regulatory environment and who knows what legal/permitting challenges they might run into. The people are the important thing of course, hopefully they can get the rest of the folks out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted August 2, 2022 Report Share Posted August 2, 2022 There is no travel out of Kherson. Food ,water, meds are very difficult. Any specific details on the FD employees is never discussed on the internet, it's far to dangerous should the wrong people get the wrong information, it's not worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted August 2, 2022 Report Share Posted August 2, 2022 It was my understanding the Russians would like to get the economy around Kherson going again so they can get the taxes. I got the impression FD was not expecting to do any business through their old plant. A considerable number of the employees apparently were able to get out but others are behind lines and wish they weren't. Travel is a challenge, according to my German sources. Energy acquisition in Europe is going to be a problem and will be prioritized. Even if the plant and people are available in Czechia, they may be challenged to operate. We'd probably all be well advised to maintain and repair thoughtfully with the concern that spare parts may in some cases be hard to get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Meade Posted August 5, 2022 Report Share Posted August 5, 2022 Note the Flight Design USA website is reflecting the change in operation. http://flightdesignusa.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted August 5, 2022 Report Share Posted August 5, 2022 I think a lot will go ELSA in order to procure or fabricate parts. If many do, it will open up secondary market suppliers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted August 16, 2022 Report Share Posted August 16, 2022 I like having an ELSA airplane, but I also really liked having a strong factory parts source. Hopefully that won't change too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted August 16, 2022 Report Share Posted August 16, 2022 I'm not sure where all the parts are made, I would guess Kherson. Asian market is in Taiwan and that might be another issue also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted August 16, 2022 Report Share Posted August 16, 2022 Can confirm that Airtime Aviation is a fantastic source. If FDUSA didn't have the parts, often times airtime aviation did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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