CuddleRhino

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Everything posted by CuddleRhino

  1. CuddleRhino added a post in a topic The big “Hail Mary”!   

    I’ve been told that the Magnum is part of this lot. If you don’t mind me asking, who did you try to buy it from and why didn’t it workout?
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  2. CuddleRhino added a post in a topic The big “Hail Mary”!   

    Iowa is the outfit in question. It might be a bigger can of worms than I thought, indeed. Thanks for contributing to the conversation! Are there many sources, from secondary means, for Avid parts currently? If the community is making enough parts to support itself already, this would just be gratuitous. I may just be standing too far back from the crowd to see what’s already being done. 
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  3. CuddleRhino added a post in a topic The big “Hail Mary”!   

    Hi Chris, thanks for your reply! As far as I understand, the company includes all jigs, molds, plans/drawings, and rights to reproduce. There will be an inventory and assessment if we can catch any traction here. The idea is to “sign out” jigs, molds, templates to community members with the skill/will to fill the demand. This may require some jigs/molds to be replicated. The small profit margin which would be decided by the board and presented in the bylaws, would be used, principally, to maintain quality and condition of the process. The parts would channel through the location where the Custodian would keep inventory (to adjust request for part production), complete a Quality Assurance process for these parts, and ship them to the end user. All books would be presented at monthly board meetings (most likely digital meeting). To your point about the molds, this community has been taking care of itself for some time now (it seems). This is an opportunity for this community to take their aircraft company out of reach for commercial interests and preserve this avenue for blue collar pilots to participate in the GA world.
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  4. CuddleRhino added a post in a topic The big “Hail Mary”!   

    Thanks, Mark. I definitely want to focus the application on the benefits it will bring the GA community in general (as pricing continues to soar) and specifically the large number of airplanes in the field that no longer have a standard parts source (could be a safety issue) which would be served. The education aspect could be implemented using the digital tools which have been refined during the pandemic. Almost a similar type setup to the EAA, but a little more specific. The biggest factor will be the community’s involvement. I have no doubt young pilots and hopefuls will be very attracted by a platform on which they can obtain parts at a much more affordable price than the commercial choices and receive maintenance/building training/support from the community as a standard. However, this plane ain’t gonna fly itself. Provided the 501c3 is approved, a board would need to form, decide on a standard of practice and most likely a custodian to orchestrate the logistics and keep the books. This course will require more contributors in the community. If it doesn’t get any traction in here, it doesn’t have a prayer. 
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  5. CuddleRhino added a post in a topic The big “Hail Mary”!   

    Allen, thank you for your feedback! I’m meeting with an attorney to ensure I wouldn’t be setting us up for failure. As far as I can find on the IRS website (and a couple others that were a little easier to understand), non-profit organizations can have paid staff and do business which results in a profit. However, it cannot inure a private interest, such as an individual, family, investor(s)… basically, the profit is folded back into the cause to purchase materials, maintenance/replicate equipment, sponsor young pilot hopefuls… it would be up to the board, truly. Again, thank you for replying.
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  6. CuddleRhino added a topic in Hardcore Avidfoxflyers   

    The big “Hail Mary”!
    I’m starting the conversation in THIS room, as I expect it to have the most constructive of the criticism to come. That being said…
    I’ve been talking to the lady trying to pedal Avid. She’s the daughter of the late owner trying to sell it on behalf of her mother-in-law. I’ve also been taking my best estimates (truly guesses) and trying to figure out how anyone could purchase the remains of the business, pay a fair wage, keep prices reasonable and make any return on their investment. Apparently, my estimated figures weren’t too far. I’m basing that on the investors looking at the actual numbers which didn’t move forward.
    So… here’s the big Hail Mary. Form a 501c3 non-profit, form a board to perform the required functions associated with a non-profit, organize a crowd funding campaign to purchase the equipment and plans for the official community, source the craftsmen (persons) within the community to produce the parts according to skill and ability to maintain a baseline supply. This can be community members “moon-lighting” as long as the quality is maintained. The jigs, molds, patterns would be signed out to the members as contractors. They would be producing for a pre agreed price per piece and all parts would be routed back through the custodian(s) for Quality Control before shipping to the end user. The prices would stay fair the community would get quality parts again and the community members can exercise their skills to earn extra cash. An aircraft company owned by the community who flies them… it would put the GA industry on its ear!
    There are WAY more details, obviously. That is just the basic outline. Tear it up! Please, do try to make it constructive. 
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  7. CuddleRhino added a post in a topic Digital Monitoring System for EA81   

    Thanks, Jim! Maybe I could trouble you a little further in asking for a basic education on digital engine monitoring? I understand the principles of a digital monitor being programmed to receive specific signal ranges from sensors (very similar to the idea of analog gauges being calibrated to properly represent the signal it is receiving). I've been looking for a system that advertised compatibility with the EA81. Should I be looking, instead, for a system with the correct array of sensors? Or is it actually the common practice to find the system you like and use your ingenuity to bridge the gap? I'm really new to all of this and really look forward to learning from everyone.  
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  8. CuddleRhino added a topic in Rotax and other engines   

    Digital Monitoring System for EA81
    I recently bought a Mk4 HH with a Subaru EA81 on the front. I am planning on cleaning up the panel to make space and to consolidate my inside view points (help keep my eyes outside). I'm trying to determine which if any digital monitoring systems offered for Experimental Aircraft, are compatible with the EA81. The only product I've been able to find, thus far, is the SDS equipment which seems to be setup for more than just monitoring. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
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  9. CuddleRhino added a post in a topic Subaru water temp   

    Did you ever find the issue with this? I'd be interested to hear about it. Cheers.
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  10. CuddleRhino added a topic in Avid Model IV   

    Total noob
    Hello Ladies and Gentlemen... and the rest,
    I'm new to the Avid Flyer and, honestly, a new pilot (less than a year licensed). I am in the process of buying a Mk4 w/ EA-81 Subaru near Tyler, TX. I was hoping to find some help in this venture as well as link up with local (Houston, TX area) Avid/Fox flyers. The plane looks okay to me, but a problem would have to be pretty obvious to be caught by such an inexperienced eye. Optimally, I would like to find someone with experience with Avid Mk4s to give her a look (I'd be willing to pay for services, of course). Otherwise, does anyone have a good checklist to use when considering a purchase? Thanks in advance for all your help and I, very much, look forward to being a part of this community.
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    • 544 views
  11. CuddleRhino added a topic in Avid Model IV   

    Total noob
    Hello Ladies and Gentlemen... and the rest,
    I'm new to the Avid Flyer and, honestly, a new pilot (less than a year licensed). I am in the process of buying a Mk4 w/ EA-81 Subaru near Tyler, TX. I was hoping to find some help in this venture as well as link up with local (Houston, TX area) Avid/Fox flyers. The plane looks okay to me, but a problem would have to be pretty obvious to be caught by such an inexperienced eye. Optimally, I would like to find someone with experience with Avid Mk4s to give her a look (I'd be willing to pay for services, of course). Otherwise, does anyone have a good checklist to use when considering a purchase? Thanks in advance for all your help and I, very much, look forward to being a part of this community.
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    • 487 views