Finalizing Panel: All thoughts welcome - Page 5

Aiki_Aviator · #41 02-22-2013, 06:51 AM

I will hopefully talk to them in the next 8 hours or so. But here is a link to my Kitlog with part email trail.

http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...g=165599&row=1

BTW, also offered to help with pictures of the panel if they wanted and CAD images I have used for the creation for use by others....

Lets hope sense prevails.

Richard Connell · #42 02-22-2013, 02:23 PM

Great, thanks for helping out trying to resolve it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aiki_Aviator

We are looking at maintaining the existing regime and/or proposing another methodology to ensure safe skies for everyone. Our primary issue is that the old TSO'd gear is actually LESS safe than the existing equipment. Hopefully we can address this successfully and make sure that the future of aviation is safer, not less so due to bureaucracy...

Yes it beggars belief that they somehow think a couple of grand worth of vacuum pumps and boat anchor instruments are safer, but I guess that just makes me worried that safety actually isnt their motivation.

The nav part is already covered by IFR TSO GPS requirements - and im not aware of non-cerftified nav radios being used.
I can just buy the argument for a TSO'd encoder/tranponder combo for Alt info in CTA. (and its cheap anyway)
But after that I dont see the rationale for the changes.

Hopefully it gets clarified or resolved positively quickly! Best of luck with that process, lots of us are watching closely. I wouldnd mind keeping up to date with progress.

Cheers

Aiki_Aviator · #43 02-23-2013, 05:22 AM

Hi All,

Well I am happy to report, I am again a happy customer. I gave Front Panel Express (FPE) a call and had a long "deep and meaningful" with Scott, the Operations Manager and we got to a final resoulution. This resolution, I must say, was better than I had actually asked and hoped for. Thanks Scott.

The full story and outcome are as follows:

Yes, FPE did do a quote for me with shipping at $40.
This quote was based on a back-to-back quote received from USPS
When FrontPanel went to ship, USPS basically said they would not take the shipment. Too long...
FPE then looked around for a method that would allow shipping and what would be the best price they could get.
Best price FPE received from UPS and others was $355.
FPE advised me that this was the shipping cost that they had received, and would be happy to cancel the order if I required it.

Now, from my discussion with Scott, this is where there was a little misunderstanding. It appears that FPE was still trying to come to the best arrangement given the fact that they were basically stiffed by USPS.

It seems that the email wording did not quite convey the intent of the discussion FPE wanted to have regarding the outcome and delivery of the panel.

The end result of the discussion was that FPE was happy to send the panel to me for the original order price. Scott was most concerned about the situation and my experience with them and went out of his way to accomodate my needs.

As such I would like to add my name to the chorus of those who have received excellent service from FPE.

All in all, I received a good quality service, albeit a few bumps along the way.

I have also suggested to Scott that if they are able, maybe they can collect and incorporate a dxf/CNC file library of Avionics instrumentation from all those who create panels. This should grow at quite a great rate and would be highly beneficial for all of the aviation community. If there is support for this option, please drop FPE an email and let them know.

If anyone wants to discuss this further please just PM me.

Thanks everyone for thier comments. And if anyone has some better postage options that FPE could use for shipping OS, especially Oz, then please drop them a line and let them know. We in Oz pay dearly for shipping and any help is welcomed.

Now I just can't wait till it arrives........

Brantel · #44 02-23-2013, 08:36 AM

Glad you got that all worked out.

It serves as a reminder to us all, a phone call can resolve a bunch of issues that only get bigger and bigger trying to solve them via email.

I had great luck and a great experience with FPE. The only downside to using them for me is the small list of colors available in their powder coat option...

F1R · #45 02-23-2013, 10:10 AM

A wire EDM cut can be as narrow as .010" to .020"

Why not cut it just right of the RH AFS hole if it reduces shipping to $40. ?

A carefully planned doubler behind could make the cut a non issue.

AMac · #46 02-24-2013, 03:20 AM

As someone who buys quite a lot of gear from the States, postage is an absolute rort. It is a way for suppliers to pad their prices (with a couple of exceptions). Vans are very good, Spruce excellent. Gulf Coast a joke and don't start me on those clowns from FedEx

Have you heard of sending people a tracking number? And really, not sending to a P.O. Box? 21st century boys & girls.......

Aiki_Aviator · #47 03-05-2013, 01:39 PM

The panel has now arrive from OS, and it looks GREAT!!!

I have over mapped it with the original one from VANS and it will fit nicely.

My only concern is where I hav put all of the lower switch gear. It is very tight. But this is my doing not FPE.

Critiquing my own work are as follows:
1) Black Anodizing was a good choice
2) Yellow great colour
3) Grey as a back-up a good color
4) Orange better than expected, good colour
5) Red NOT as obvious,
6) positioning of the switch layout (left to right), and instrumentation position was excellent.

Details here:
Panel Page on my Kitlog

Thanks to Scott, Adrian and Chad from Front Panel Express. Great product.

Full Panel:

Left Side:

Emergency Switch Gear:

Snowflake · #48 03-05-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMac

And really, not sending to a P.O. Box? 21st century boys & girls.......

While I agree with everything you've said, someone with a P.O. Box shouldn't be harping on someone to get into the 21st Century...

AMac · #49 03-11-2013, 06:09 AM

Snowflake, I don't get the point you are making? The main reason I have a P.O. Box is identity theft. I don't want anything with my name on it sitting in my mailbox or left on my front verandah.

The other reason is I'm not home much. I don't know how it works in Canada but Fedex deliver between 8 and 5. If you're not home they leave a card in the mail box. I've then got to drive out to their depot and pick the item up between 6 and 8pm. If the clowns would deliver the item to the box, I pick it up at my convenience. But no, Fedex knows best :-(

Twice, an item has been addressesd to my P.O. Box, they state that they donot deliver to the box in a phone call from them and the item sent back to the States a day or two later. I'm unable to have my cell on in the environment I work in. I didn't receive a tracking number from either the sender or Fedex in either case.

UPS deliver to a P.O. Box, US post does too. Fedex, 21st century? I think not. Postage, especially international is a scam.

rleffler · #50 03-11-2013, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMac

Snowflake, I don't get the point you are making? The main reason I have a P.O. Box is identity theft. I don't want anything with my name on it sitting in my mailbox or left on my front verandah.

The other reason is I'm not home much. I don't know how it works in Canada but Fedex deliver between 8 and 5. If you're not home they leave a card in the mail box. I've then got to drive out to their depot and pick the item up between 6 and 8pm. If the clowns would deliver the item to the box, I pick it up at my convenience. But no, Fedex knows best :-(

Twice, an item has been addressesd to my P.O. Box, they state that they donot deliver to the box in a phone call from them and the item sent back to the States a day or two later. I'm unable to have my cell on in the environment I work in. I didn't receive a tracking number from either the sender or Fedex in either case.

UPS deliver to a P.O. Box, US post does too. Fedex, 21st century? I think not. Postage, especially international is a scam.

Off Topic, but......

Fedex will deliver to their Kinkos/Fedex Office stores. I'm fortunate enough to have one close to the house and it's open to 11pm. Nice for expensive avionics you don't want sitting on the porch or having to go to a Fedex terminal. The other benefit is that you don't pay the residential surchage either for delivery.