Hello David:

While I am flattered that you think people actually listen to, and follow my advice (please tell this to my children), I honestly doubt that an avionics shop clear on the other side of the country is any significant competition. You would have to be very bad at what you do for potential customers to travel 3000 miles to avoid trading with you.

My stated opinion of Kirk is my honest opinion, formed over many years of experience. Also, Kirk contributed significant time and resources to developing the Lancair specific installation. IMHO he deserves to be recognized for his efforts.

As you may be aware, I am not an employee of CFS or Lancair. My company, Regan Designs, works with CFS on a contract basis but we receive no financial consideration from Lancair or CFS from the sales of EFIS systems.

In my world, respect is earned and reputations are hard won. Kirk's reputation is the result of a long standing commitment to quality, value and service. If you adhere to the same high standards then you too will be respected and successful. I do not know you and have no opinion as to the quality of your work. If asked about your company I would have no recommendation, good or bad. My advice to anyone considering avionics purchases in today's dynamic market is this; Do your homework, Get in-flight demonstrations, Talk to past customers. They can start at your website, www.avionikits.com and work their way up from there.

My advice to you is that reputations, good or bad, can only be built, they cannot be defended. Remember also, as Samuel Clemens said "Bad news is half way around the world before the truth gets it's coat on."

Regards
Brent Regan

Avionics Systems wrote:

Dear Mr. Regan,

 

In this morning's Lancair list posting, you stated that "IMHO, Kirk at Lancair Avionics is the go-to guy for Lancair installations so contact him regarding availability and pricing."  As a Chelton Flight Systems dealer and builder of many Lancair panels I take exception to the comment.

 

If the average Lancair builder had made that statement I would not have a problem with it.  However, when you say it that is an endoresement from the man who designed the system, and is regarded as more than a "humble opinion" by readers of the list, many of whom are past, present, and hopefully future customers of ours. 

 

I have seen Lancair's work and have spoken to Kirk.  They do indeed produce an excellent product and Kirk is well regarded for his knowledge and experience.  However my shop has built and installed many Lancair panels and electrical systems, and we are currently working on several IVP projects with Chelton EFIS, including turboprop, and a few 360s too.  There is also at least one other shop that is also a Chelton dealer that also has a lot of Lancair experience and does an excellent job. 

 

We make our living designing and building instrument panels and electrical systems for kitplanes, and there is a limited market for our product.  Lancairs comprise a very large percentage of our business so when you, the designer of the product,  endorse a specific Chelton dealer to those Lancair builders,  it makes our job that much more difficult. 

 

I respect the work you have done to make the Chelton EFIS into the excellent product it is.  However please remember that the Lancair builders highly regard your opinion and your endoresement of a specific company or dealer can adversely affect others who are also capable of delivering an excellent product.

 

Regards,

 

David Buckwalter

Avionics Systems, LLC.