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  #11  
Old 06-10-2006, 06:49 PM
fodrv7's Avatar
fodrv7 fodrv7 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Torquay, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 826
Default Factory Visit by FOD

My wife Edita, who I met in Hong Kong whilst driving B777s for Cathay, is from the Philippines and we visited the QB factory whilst holidaying in Manila last October.

The factory used to be near Angeles City, north of Manila, but a few years ago was bought by Steve Nelson and moved to Laguna, one hour south of Manila.
Steve, a delightful American, is a LAME (Licensed Aircraft Mechanical Engineer) and maintains the US Ambassador?s King Air. With time on his hands he runs the factory with his Filipino partner Albert Rano.
At the time of our visit they were in the process of building a mezzanine floor and things were a bit chaotic.
What was impressive was the standards and skills of the workers. Steve trains all the workers and as an insight into the standards the ?riveters? polish their rivet sets three or four rimes a day. I also noticed a pile of scrap and Steve explained that, if the last rivet in a skin is below standard the whole skin is replaced.
The factory Wing Jigs are adaptable to suit all RV wings.
Each year half a dozen of the most experienced workers are sort by airlines like Singapore as maintenance staff and Steve encourages them to take the offer so that they and their families may escape from the subsistence life in the Philippines. Consequently, all us QB blokes can enjoy the warm fuzzing feeling that we are doing a bit for those less fortunate than ourselves.
Steve also showed me a ?Super QB? RV10 which only requires instruments and paint- from memory. He was still working on how to market it.
All in all it was a very pleasant experience and worth the effort of finding the factory in a country with roads overcrowded with Jeepnies and Honda 50cc tricycles and no street signs.
Anyone who wants detailed directions to the factory might email me: rvseven@bigpond.net.au.
Pete.
Nelson SteveQB Factory
work +63 49 837 2837
mobile +63 0916 721 0303
work metalcrafters@digitelone.com

Factory KM38, National Hwy
Brgy, Macabling Sta Rosa Laguna
Philippines



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  #12  
Old 07-27-2006, 05:04 PM
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jlfernan jlfernan is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Port Orange, Fl
Posts: 476
Default

I just received my wings and fuse(see seperate posting) and I have to say I'm impressed. The work those folks do is impeccable. There is not a single ding, dent, or scratch to be found. Makes my workmanship on the tail look pathetic. I know it's a quite a bit more money, but for those of you who are short on time and want quality work, you can't beat it. Plus they sent me a free hat!!
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Spruce Creek, FL
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  #13  
Old 07-27-2006, 10:57 PM
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osxuser osxuser is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena CA
Posts: 2,484
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TShort
So what is the deal with the RV-10 "full build"?
I didn't know that was an option. Looks like they build the tail kit / cone there?

See bottom of page:
http://www.bonanzametalcrafters.com/prodserv.htm

Thomas
-8 wings
Not positive, but from the priming difference on the cone, and the fact that all the blue plasitic is off it, I'd guess that they just attach the one that you build to the fuse.
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  #14  
Old 07-28-2006, 02:28 PM
mcsteatlh mcsteatlh is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kingwood
Posts: 80
Default Talked to them last night.

The factory has set up a seperate company.
They have received permission from Vans. (That is what they said)
They buy the kits from Vans.
Build them to sell firewall back only.
Inside primed or painted per buyers preference.


$82,000 US not including shipping

$6000 + or - shipping to FL or TX

I would consider this myself because I'm not known for my patience.

I'm being sent the info I need to sell as a broker.

mcStealth
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  #15  
Old 07-28-2006, 03:09 PM
fpeebles fpeebles is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Krum, Texas North of Dallas
Posts: 45
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mcsteatlh
The factory has set up a seperate company.
They have received permission from Vans. (That is what they said)
They buy the kits from Vans.
Build them to sell firewall back only.
Inside primed or painted per buyers preference.


$82,000 US not including shipping

$6000 + or - shipping to FL or TX

I would consider this myself because I'm not known for my patience.

I'm being sent the info I need to sell as a broker.

mcStealth
What will the FAA say about this? Obviously not meet the 51% rule but if I understand that rule is that we have to demonstrate the ability to complete any of the given tasks (i.e. Riveting, control system assembly, electrical, mechanical, etc..) Dunno but this is very interesting. Has anybody asked Van's about this?
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"Hmm to build a 12 first or a jump straight to the 10? ARGHHHHH"
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  #16  
Old 07-30-2006, 05:38 PM
Mustang Mustang is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Posts: 133
Default Wait a minute Guys

Before everyone gets all warm and fuzzy about the workmanship out of the Phillipines, hold up a minute.

Yes, these guys can drive a rivet, and pretty well consistently too. But they really don't know what an airplane is supposed to look like.

If they did know, then why did my wing trailing edges have ski jumps on the upper trailing edges? Like right ahead of the ailerons and flaps. And why did the very same thing show up on my friends QB wings? Why does Vans have a specific tool made to address this problem for QB wing buyers to repair the same defect? No, the quality control may be in place to ensure standard riveting practices, but the quality control to put out an aviation grade finished product is NOT there.

I spent about two weeks getting my fuel tanks to fit the wings without ripples and waves over the main spar. I spent another week or so getting the special tool and repairing my trailing edges so that they conformed to the airfoil profile as published. Then I passed the tool on to my friend.

So, if you are able, go to Vans, and inspect your wings BEFORE taking delivery so that you can get the quality assurance that you paid for.

Cheers, Pete
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  #17  
Old 07-30-2006, 05:52 PM
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fodrv7 fodrv7 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Torquay, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 826
Default Feedback

Pete,
I am sure Steve would be interested in some feedback regarding your problems. He is very focused on the quality of his product.
Nelson SteveQB Factory Philippines.
work +63 49 837 2837
mobile +63 0916 721 0303
work metalcrafters@digitelone.com

It might also benifit future users.

Pete.
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  #18  
Old 07-30-2006, 06:53 PM
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Mel Mel is online now
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,769
Default

I have to agree about the inconsistencies of the QB kits. I see a wide range of workmanship. Have any of you taken a good look at Martin Sutters -7A? The QB portion of the kit is terrible. It's really a shame to se a meticulous builder like Martin saddled with such sad kit.
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EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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  #19  
Old 07-30-2006, 08:25 PM
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hevansrv7a hevansrv7a is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 1,587
Default My QB was (mostly) excellent

But, I'm told it was built in the Czech Republic.
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H. Evan's RV-7A N17HH 240+ hours
"
We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill. We can be free! We can learn to fly!" -J.L. Seagull
Paid $25.00 "dues" net of PayPal cost for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 (December).
This airplane is for sale: see website. my website

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  #20  
Old 07-30-2006, 08:54 PM
fpeebles fpeebles is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Krum, Texas North of Dallas
Posts: 45
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mel
I have to agree about the inconsistencies of the QB kits. I see a wide range of workmanship. Have any of you taken a good look at Martin Sutters -7A? The QB portion of the kit is terrible. It's really a shame to se a meticulous builder like Martin saddled with such sad kit.
Now this is starting to get scary. I'm planning on ordering a QB kit but if the workmanship is not up to par.... What has Van's said about this?
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"Hmm to build a 12 first or a jump straight to the 10? ARGHHHHH"
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