It is my assumption that the Garmin product is targeted to the entire retrofit market
and experimental market. It only
makes sense that they would have the G1000 (or variant) system be available to
all types of aircraft not just new production. This would certainly explain why they would
invest a lot of money in the product and not just target the experimental
world.
Bryan Burr
N132BB
D2 AV supporter, customer, friend, and
lover of the CFS.
-----Original
Message-----
From: Lancair Mailing List
[mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Brent
Regan
Sent: Saturday, December 23, 2006
3:12 PM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] D2 Update
I have reviewed the situation with
Kirk (D2) and Gordon (CFS). Here is what I have learned.
It is true that D2 has closed its doors. CFS has picked up new orders with
Lancair, Epic and D2's other dealers.
CFS has an agreement with Pinpoint Inertial to distribute their ADAHRS
/ GADAHRS.
CFS is NOT responsible for commitments made by any of their dealers. CFS's
official information release is copied below.
CFS is committed to supporting their products.
So what happened? In my opinion the tipping point came with the X-bow 42X
problem. D2 could have told their customers that the 425 problems were a X-bow
warranty issue but instead they took the high road and offered to replace the
425s with Pinpoints. One could imagine that this put a tremendous strain on
cash flow. Kirk thought it was a risk worth taking but did not foresee two
additional events. One was X-bow getting into the EFIS market (Advanced).
This begs the question: If X-bow can make an ADAHRS for their own EFIS, why
didn't they fix the 42Xs???
Second was Garmin's entry into the experimental market. This one is a real
mystery. As Hamid pointed out to me, why would Garmin's least profitable
division (avionics) enter the least profitable sector of that market
(experimental)? I am unaware of any other certified aviation company that has
made this retrograde market expansion. It is like being married to Cindy
Crawford and then having an affair with Janet Reno. If I were a Garmin
experimental customer I would be nervous that Garmin will wake up and gnaw
their arm off to get out of the market as fast as possible. Remember the
Starship?
In the end it was D2's commitment to it's customers that was their undoing.
D2's failure is a loss for everyone but their competitors. Ironically, D2's
failure is also bad news for X-bow as all the customers that are holding 425's
will be looking to X-bow to make them well.
The good news is that it seems all the products that were distributed by D2
will still be available to builders through other distributors.
I would also point out that the above is hearsay or the opinion of a confessed
idiot and should not be taken seriously.
The authorized information is copied below.
Wishing you and yours the Merriest Christmas possible and a safe New Year with
blue skies and cheap fuel.
Regards
Brent Regan
CHELTON FLIGHT SYSTEMS
AUTHORIZED INFORMATION RELEASE REGARDING
Direct 2 Avionics
<>
December
22, 2006
NOTE:
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS THE ONLY EXPLANATION THAT CHELTON HAS AUTHORIZED
RELATING TO DIRECT 2 AVIONICS SITUATION BY ANY EMPLOYEE OF CHELTON. THIS
EXPLANATION IS THE ONLY EXPLANATION YOU ARE AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE ABOUT DIRECT
2 AVIONICS, ITS OWNERS OR EMPLOYEES, AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH
CHELTON. ANY OTHER STATEMENT, SPECULATION, GOSSIP OR RUMOR REGARDING
DIRECT 2 AVONICS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
<>
STATEMENT:
To Whom It May Concern:
By now you have probably heard that DIRECT 2 AVIONICS (“D2A”) had
to close its business. Like you, we at Chelton Flight Systems were
disappointed and concerned that D2A felt it had to take this action.
D2A was
an authorized, independently-owned distributor for Chelton. Chelton
has no ownership or other relationship with D2A. Chelton has received
various inquiries from persons who have alleged that they were told by D2A that
parts for which they claimed to have paid D2A were “back
ordered.” Chelton currently has no purchase orders from D2A and
there are no “back orders” to be filled. Chelton has also
suspended taking any further purchase orders from D2A and has suspended
D2A’s status as an authorized distributor.
Chelton regrets any inconvenience or financial loss the situation with
D2A may have caused you.