Okay, after the incredible 1.5 years I am finished with the empennage kit. The whole time I've been debating whether I should continue or quit, and if I continue whether to do quick or slow build. While building the tailcone, I figured quick build that is - I hate having to stop the progress because I need to find someone to help me buck rivets.
I've been watching the lead time on quick builds rise steadily from 6 months to 12+, but was still holding off ordering the next kit, thinking I would do it after I get comfortable with fiberglass work. Well, the fiberglass work on the tailcone took me just a few days to complete. Now, my parts are done and I'm eager to continue.
Except there's a problem. I did place an order for QB kits, but was told that the lead time now is 18+ months, and Vans even returned my deposit and said they would collect it when they can assign the delivery date. This was almost a month ago, still waiting for that date. With the lead times as they were published I realized I would skip the summer of 2022 and resume in the spring of 2023, but now it doesn't seem I would be doing anything before 2024. That's a lot of waiting.
In the meantime, if anyone in the Seattle area is available to stop by and have a look at what I've done - I will greatly appreciate it! Please send me a PM. Maybe the empennage I've built is actually unairworthy scrap, and I need to build another under Synergy Air guidance?
By the way, does anyone know if I can pay Synergy Air (or Vans) to inspect a completed project and give recommendations for repair / replacement if any is needed?
I've been watching the lead time on quick builds rise steadily from 6 months to 12+, but was still holding off ordering the next kit, thinking I would do it after I get comfortable with fiberglass work. Well, the fiberglass work on the tailcone took me just a few days to complete. Now, my parts are done and I'm eager to continue.
Except there's a problem. I did place an order for QB kits, but was told that the lead time now is 18+ months, and Vans even returned my deposit and said they would collect it when they can assign the delivery date. This was almost a month ago, still waiting for that date. With the lead times as they were published I realized I would skip the summer of 2022 and resume in the spring of 2023, but now it doesn't seem I would be doing anything before 2024. That's a lot of waiting.
In the meantime, if anyone in the Seattle area is available to stop by and have a look at what I've done - I will greatly appreciate it! Please send me a PM. Maybe the empennage I've built is actually unairworthy scrap, and I need to build another under Synergy Air guidance?
By the way, does anyone know if I can pay Synergy Air (or Vans) to inspect a completed project and give recommendations for repair / replacement if any is needed?