glider companies out of business?
is the market too small? not enough profit in this? seems like every time I find a glider I want to buy, I find out it is no longer in production because the company is gone or on hold!
to name but a few:
* Dave's Aircraft Works (wanted to build the dragonette)
* Aerofoam (would love to fly the mosquito hawk)
* FSD
to name but a few:
* Dave's Aircraft Works (wanted to build the dragonette)
* Aerofoam (would love to fly the mosquito hawk)
* FSD
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by IFlyTailies on -
as in other industries, companies form and go, and they merge for synergy effects. I am not too familiar with the producers of gldiers in the US, but there are still many in Europe, who make excellent gliders! And there are new companies from China which make nice gliders as well
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Permalink Reply by Jeff K on -
As I've never owned an ARF or foamie I can't make any comment about them or the companies that make them. Now as far as wood kits go... There's are way too many companies that have gone under. It's not an easy thing to bring a new design to market and harder to keep it in production when people now days seem to want the "instant gratification" that ARF kits offer. To me, people that fly nothing but ARF are missing out on half the fun and gratification of the hobby. Nothing better than seeing what entered the shop as a bunch of sticks and sheets going out the door as a flying sailplane. There are still a few of us die hard builders out there but it seems that we're a dying breed. We're lucky to have places like Skybench Aerotech making quality kits still.
I'm of the "old school" in that you build what you fly. To me building is part of the hobby and is almost as much fun as flying itself. When I'm working on a plane I can disappear into my "man cave" and relax and enjoy the build. I am lucky in that I live so close to the Perry Georgia Swap-meet site and can usually find several kits there every year. Last year I scored several kits that are no longer in production and got them for less than they cost when out in the shops. I hope to do the same this year. I just have to beat Sean to them is all because I know he's going to be there this year too.(* I'd hate to have to explain to his wife how his arm got broke. ;) ) JK Sean. But it will be a race to see who can come up with the best kits for the least amount of $$$
Jeff K
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Permalink Reply by terry edson on -
ive a question here. whats the shelf life on balsa? can you tell if the wood is no longer usefull? I do agree that building what you fly is part of the hobby. Im building a oly 2s from sky bench right now. Im guilty of a bird of time arf and have sever multiplex foam ep planes. and etc. the fun is in the build. And I hate to see the hobby lose stores for sure. But its been really just a fellow, hobbiest running the buisness from his home. Sometimes tho there buisness gets obsorbed or just closes due too death and etc. Im going to build kits from this point on tho. and try to support those that are producing kits. so far theres only a handfull of these
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Permalink Reply by Eric on -
I admit to daydreaming about manufacturing kits someday... it's very impractical but it catches my attention! I really love what dream-flight is doing.
-Eric
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Permalink Reply by Jeff K on
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terry edson said:ive a question here. whats the shelf life on balsa?
Terry,
As long as the wood has remained dry and hasn't warped there is not a "shelf life" to it. The windfree kit that I just built up had been sitting on my "to do" shelf for over 20 years and the wood was still perfect in it. Moisture is the killer of most woods. Changes in humidity will cause wood to shrink, expand and warp. If it is kept dry and laid out flat it won't suffer these effects.
Once I sell off the property in California, I'm going to be looking into doing up some kits of some of the old classic planes if I can purchase the rights to produce them. There are some great planes that have been out of production for some time now that I know some guys would kill to be able to get again. I'm thinking (depending on cost of production rights) of offering 5-6 kits. All kits will be updated to laser cut parts etc.
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Permalink Reply by Eric on
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I guess you are keeping your place well air-conditioned Jeff. 20 years is really something. your plan to try acquiring the rights to make kits is very exciting - I wish you lots of luck with it and hope you will share your steps! -- Eric
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Permalink Reply by Jeff K on
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The kits were stored in a garage with out air conditioning in the foot hills near San Diego. I didn't do anything to them other than to keep them dry. Temp ranged from below freezing in the winter to over 110 in the summer. How they survived is really anyone guess. I finally built them up when I moved to Georgia.
I hope to start getting the ball rolling on the kits this winter some time and hope to have them available by the following winter. It's all going to depend on when the property in California sells.
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Permalink Reply by WYLIE SHAW on -
DREAM FLIGHT IS NOW TAKING ORDERS FOR THE NEW ALUA TO BE SHIPPED AT THE END OF THE MONTH
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Permalink Reply by Eric on
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Two news items across my bow about the same time - FSD is shutting down and the domain aileron.com just sold for $21,000... unfair but true. Creating beautiful rc models is not exactly a meal ticket!
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Permalink Reply by Ed Anderson on -
I would have to say yes. It is hard to get to a critical mass where you can keep a business running. Prices are very competitive. Unless you hit that point where yours is that "must have" planes I would imagine most of these small providers struggle to stay in business.
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