[NSRCA-discussion] AeroSlave Stuff

[Gray E Fowler]

John

We are aware of the cosmetic opinion with the muffler-actually one guy 
returned it without using it for cosmetic reasons. In this day and age 
when mufflers are totally hidden, it does not make sense to me that the 
cosmetic appearance of an item that is never seen,is so important. Our 
muffler is absolutely:

1. The lowest weight available

The standard muffler is 2.9 oz, our Ultralite is 2.3 oz

2. Lowest cost for a CF muffler

3. Very durable-molded in aluminum inlet-no burnout failures

All CF mufflers have a limited life-we honor our 1 year warranty

4. Best performance-highest RPM's regardless of engine-AND meet noise regs

5.. Are not the prettiest around

If I over molded the thickness and sanded down the body I could make'em 
pretty. But that would add cost and weight. 

Look at the list of "wants" about the landing gear that have been 
generated. It is safe to say that the Pattern flyer wants...EVERYTHING. 
Which is why this can be a scary market. Pattern flyers are tougher to 
sell than the Airforce-you guys are worse than NavAIR! (inside industry 
joke!!!-I apologize in advance).  Unlike the muffler,we realize the the 
gear will be seen all the time. Honestly, I am sorting through all this to 
see if we want to do it at all. Knowing there is a large faction of 
pattern flyers that value appearance above performance a sTHE dominating 
criteria kind of disturbs me, as I am not of that mold. I even have local 
friends that are this way. But there is hope-we have sold alot of 
mufflers-barren as they are, and I have zero qualms about people buying 
the other guy's product based solely on cosmetics-and that is what it is. 
Anyone looking at the product based on price, weight and performance would 
not make such a choice. 

We realize the gear must look  decent, the muffler's appearance is a 
choice we made based on our priorities, knowing there was to be some 
personal rejection, and that is okay.  On landing gear...no matter what, 
feel free to paint them!

Signed

AeroSlave Dude 
At my real job...I better do some real work!

Gray Fowler
Senior Principal Chemical Engineer
Radomes and Specialty Apertures
Technical Staff Composites Engineering
Raytheon



John Pavlick <jpavlick at idseng.com> 
Sent by: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
01/16/2009 11:26 AM
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Re: [NSRCA-discussion] BOLLY out of business







Gray,
 I will tell you this:
I use your pipes primarily due to the weight and performance advantages. 
However, I know of a few instances where I've recommended them to others, 
only to have the guy tell me that it was so ugly (the pipe) when he got it 
that he decided to sell it and use something else. I guess it's a matter 
of personal preference but that's something to keep in mind.
 
John Pavlick

--- On Fri, 1/16/09, Gray E Fowler <gfowler at raytheon.com> wrote:
From: Gray E Fowler <gfowler at raytheon.com>
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] BOLLY out of business
To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Date: Friday, January 16, 2009, 4:57 PM


If "swept" gear are preferred for the appearance, and impact form fit and 
function, that is, there is a performace trade off to look cool, then all 
who prioitize in such a manner will be unhappy  with a gear set if we make 
it.  My priorties going forward will be: 

1. Performance =stiffness, weight, twist- balanced by 
2. Cost= material used, labor and cycle time 
3. Cosmetics= need to look good BUT it is #3 

If Cost were no issue We could make a gorgeous set of ultimate performing 
gear, but cost is a large issue and if AeroSlave does not follow through 
it will be because of cost. We must be able to cover  our non reccurring 
costs of engineering and especially molds which are very expensive. I am 
always a bit hesitant with the pattern crowd and the need for the plane's 
components to be prettier than the pilot or even his wife! I understand 
paint finish and such but making a landing gear perfectly gorgeous when 
scutinized up close may add $25 per set. Some will say this is a 
requirement, some will not. This is what I am trying to figure out at the 
moment. Lance and I have a big handle on the technical aspects, but things 
like sweep, finish etc can kill this (from a business apsect) before we 
get off the ground. Swept gear will require more molds =$$$. Almost 
everyone cuts a single gear into a left and a right.     

I do find all this input interesting, but Lance and I will have to figure 
out how to proceed. This feedback about stiffness, bouncing, toe in etc is 
great. We have prototypes performing very well, but now we need to 
productionize the design. 




Gray Fowler
Senior Principal Chemical Engineer
Radomes and Specialty Apertures
Technical Staff Composites Engineering
Raytheon 



"Keith Black" <tkeithblack at gmail.com> 
Sent by: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org 
01/15/2009 09:45 PM 

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Re: [NSRCA-discussion] BOLLY out of business








Gray, the toe in twist issue on the ES gear was definitely an issue I ran 
into, at least with the taller electric version. Also, on crosswind 
landings if I didn’t straighten it out just right before touching down it 
would start doing a sideways hoping action with the forward leg acting 
like a spring. I think you may have seen this in Lubbock. This is the only 
set of gear I’ve ever experienced this with. More ridged gear don’t seem 
prone to this behavior. 
  
As to straight vs. swept, straight may be easier to fabricate as a first 
attempt to get something to market and would provide interchangeability. 
On the other hand, if you dork one half of your gear you still have to buy 
a whole new set and there’s not much you can do with the other half, 
unless you have a habit of dorking gear.  The swept look is most 
definitely nicer. I’d go with what you think will sell the best, based on 
sex appeal, and will be structurally sound. I wouldn’t worry about giving 
the multiple gear dorkers the ability to use either half on either side. 
Besides, multiple gear dorkers will help keep you in business. J 
  
Keith 
  
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org 
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Gray E 
Fowler
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:57 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] BOLLY out of business 
  

Anthony 

What did you think about the ES gear twist? That is the wheel going toe 
in- toe out hitting small bumps. ES had nothing but zero degree fibers. 
That is the one design issue I am conteplating at the moment. 

Also considering that all new planes are widebody that is what needs to be 
addressed..BUT having a 1 continuous gear will be more weight. I am 
thinking it is better to split the gear for a weight savings.  If we make 
two pieces, and either piece can be a left or a right, then a broken gear 
is only on one side. Any advantage to that?




Gray Fowler
Senior Principal Chemical Engineer
Radomes and Specialty Apertures
Technical Staff Composites Engineering
Raytheon 

Anthony Romano <anthonyr105 at hotmail.com> 
Sent by: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org 
01/15/2009 04:18 PM 


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Re: [NSRCA-discussion] BOLLY out of business

  









Graph Tech is not for us. I am sure their stuff is well suited for the 
IMAC style planes that they are designed for but too heavy and way too 
stiff for our use. 
I went through their website and picked a gear based on dimension of the 
ES. 2+ ounces heavier and twice as thick with zero flex. Broke the gear 
out of my Black Magic many times when hitting small holes in the runway. 
Rick donated his ES gear and life has been much better. 

Anthony




From: jlachow at hotmail.com
To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:59:26 -0500
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] BOLLY out of business

Anyone have any luck with the Graph Tech RC stuff?  Only experience was 
with some smaller electrics that worked just fine. They have carbon pants 
and spinners, as well. 




From: tony at radiosouthrc.com
To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:00:23 -0500
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] BOLLY out of business


Thanks, Jim.  Those are $112.00 I think… about double that of the Bolly…. 
Not sure how that will go….. but if there are no other choices… 
 
 
Tony Stillman, President 
Radio South, Inc. 
139 Altama Connector, Box 322 
Brunswick, GA  31525 
1-800-962-7802 
www.radiosouthrc.com 




From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org 
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Woodward, 
Jim (US SSA)
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 2:52 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] BOLLY out of business 
 
Tony, 
 
Luiz at Net Box Hobby carrys the CA carbon gear. 
 
Thanks, 
Jim 
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org 
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Tony
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 2:36 PM
To: 'General pattern discussion'
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] BOLLY out of business 
 
I just received conformation that BOLLY has gone out of business. 
Unfortunately, this is a major supplier of CF landing gear and wheel 
pants.  I have been awaiting a shipment of several items, and now it does 
not look like that will happen.  I am working now to determine if there 
are any gear/wheel pants available.   
 
The really bad thing is that I am not sure what options we have left, 
other than going with a kit/arf manufacturer’s gear.  Ed Skorpa dropped 
his gear last year… 
 
 
 
Tony Stillman, President 
Radio South, Inc. 
139 Altama Connector, Box 322 
Brunswick, GA  31525 
1-800-962-7802 
www.radiosouthrc.com 
  
  



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