Last week I posted to the RV-10 list, information which Brent Regan had shared regarding the purported status of Direct2.  For background, there are now 688 RV-10 kits purchased.  62 aircraft are flying with another 100 finishing in the next twelve months.  I was for lack of a better term, involved in encouraging VAN builders of the RV-10 to consider use of Lancair avionics panels and more specifically Chelton Sport equipment in their systems.  I have had no dealings with Kirk, company or friends.

I had previously & successfully directed Kitplanes magazine to do an earlier story on panel design using Jim Hergert and N6XE as an example of quality design, form and function.  Many RV-10 builders took my encouragement for N6XE and Lancair Avionics then they independently engaged in deposits of Chelton systems through established dealers.  Jim’s panel has always been my benchmark.  Today it is estimated that over 80 RV-10 builders are calculating their carnage from the distribution debacle.  Through back channels and innuendo, it appears that one particular dealer may  be caught in the crossfire for over 30 yet undelivered systems.  There are apparently many dealers involved. I am now supposed to be sorry for sharing what I believed at the time to be accurate, and valuable information to the kit building community.  This is real money folks and all kit builders are involved in the outcome.

As I step over the scores of bodies of kit builders caught in this financial web, several questions have surfaced from those builders.  How did either Grant or Chelton ever reach the decision to insert an intermediary between the established dealers and the manufacturer?  Does Kirk or company have any direct or indirect current or future financial involvement with Pinpoint?  Does Chelton have a financial interest with Pinpoint?

Tim Olson, N104CD (RV-10 kit #170) made a well documented course change from Grand Rapids to Chelton in the design of his flying RV-10 aircraft which can be reviewed in its chronologically listed progress at www.myrv10.com

He fortunately now has a complete and functioning three screen Chelton with Pinpoint solution.  Tim preferred that all of the discussion take place on a back channel and not on a public forum such as this or the RV10 matronics list.  To that end he has developed a website for discussion and tracking towards a final solution.  Should any of you find value, here is the site.  http://www.cheltonefispilots.com/

I have been told to crawl back in my hole and duck.  May 2007 hold greater promise for kit builders than the previous week of 2006.

John Cox

RV-10 builder #600 and continued strong proponent of both Lancair Kits and Chelton products.