Above a 2013 model 3,000 cc engine, built from FlyCorvair.com and SPA/Panther parts. This engine now has 130 flight hours on it. It is a solid performer, based on 27 years of development.
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Several things have been accomplished here:
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The catalog page has been fully updated with better photos, linked stories and pricing, including new items like the Group 1100 cam kit and the 2400-L Starter kits.
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We have an agreement with Dan and Rachel Weseman of SPA/Panther, where they will handle the sales and shipping of our catalog of parts. They are well known for their prompt, professional service and excellent communications. This agreement will allow me to focus on making parts and teaching builders, the two elements I do best.
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Above, a front quarter view of a 2015 engine: Notice how much more compact the 2400-L starter is on this engine than the our traditional lightweight stater in the top photo. The modern starter is 3 pounds lighter and uses less power. The engine at the top has since been upgraded with it’s own 2400-L starter.
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Questions:
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What motivated the change? Both Grace and I both are very fortunate to still have both our parents, and we regard it as our duty to care for them. In my family we have many kids, and we all contribute to my parents care. In Grace’s case, she is the only child, so she is the first line of support, and there are no ‘reserves.’ While we have been very grateful for the patience our builders have shown in the last 24 months, the situation required a realistic permanent solution to provide consistent service. Having Dan and Rachel take care of the sales and distribution of our parts is the solution that provides builder service while allowing us to meet our family commitments.
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Is this a merger of the Companies? No, FlyCorvair and SPA are still entirely separate companies, it is just a distribution agreement between trusted friends. We have long worked on complimentary parts and products, supported builders with common events like the Corvair Finishing School, and had adjoining booths at Oshkosh, but we are still, and will remain two different companies.
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How does this affect orders and shipping? Our inventory of parts has been moved to the SPA warehouse, and when items are ordered from our new page, they will be shipped from SPA. Rachel is known for her IT skills, and orders will receive automatic email confirmations, inventory control and sales support far beyond what I was capable of. We will jointly handle technical support with Dan’s assistance. SPA is a mid sized aircraft factory in it’s own right, with all the commiserate business hours and practices. Comparatively, I have always accurately told builders that my work was a regular ‘mom and pop’ operation. The new arrangement will allow full project support for builders because it combines the best of each of our assets with coordination of the parts flowing to builders as they need them.
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What about existing orders for FlyCorvair parts? These are my responsibility. Anyone looking at the new site will see a 10% price increase, which is part of how SPA is compensated for all the time and effort they will invest in this, but all existing orders will be filled at the previous cost. We have not had a price increase on most catalog items in more than 10 years. For this modest increase builders will get the very tangible improvement of greatly improved service. If you have an existing order, feel free to send us a note on the new website’s contact page, but be respectful of the idea that I am obligated to fill the existing orders that pre-date our agreement, Dan and Rachel are glad to assist these builders just as a courtesy.
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Does this change anything about the College schedule? No, it does not. We are now less than 60 days from the first College of 2016 and the start of the 50 day Western tour. The new arrangement allows us to do an excellent job of coordinating all of each builders need for every college from here forward. Between FlyCorvair and SPA, we have every single part any builder needs to convert, run and install his Corvair. We fine tuned and tested this support with our Corvair Finishing School #1, Video report. It worked great, every person attending had everything they needed in advance and all the engines were completed and test run.
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Above, a 3,000 cc Corvair at power, on our test stand. In the last quarter century, I have assisted hundreds of builders to understand build, run and fly their Corvair engine. It sounds like a large number, but it was done over many years, one builder at a time. While other companies came and went, I have stayed in it for the long haul. If you are new to Corvairs and question why I have a strong loyalty from our old builders, it was because I treated them as fellow individual homebuilders, not as a ‘customer base.’
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The Corvair engine isn’t for everyone, but if you get a good look at it’s qualities, and our system of information, parts and support with 27 unbroken years of work, and find it to match your goals in aviation, I will be glad to work with you.
Ron,
The new website and the arrangements for this took a number of months to put in place. During this time, I had many people ask how we were going to serve builders while I spent to 50 days of the western tour and Colleges #36,37,and 38 on the road without break. All I said at the time was that we were putting an idea together. Today we have the roll out of the system that will your to keep builders supplied with parts in a timely fashion, no matter where I am in the Country. -ww.
This should work out well for all involved. We can certainly appreciate caring for parents. That took some effort on our part but was never a question as to our response.
The links work and everything is easy to find.
HI William,
Just one suggestion. Can you put an option in the cart to remove the shipping charge because some people may want to come to Florida to pick up their parts in person. And also maybe put some kind of and update system in place to let the customers know when they will be able to pick up their parts? Thanks for all you and Grace do.
Michael,
Rachel has set up the shipping with a flat rate total on most items up to a couple hundred dollars, meaning if you buy $500 of stuff, the shipping is the same total $20 as it is on $100. Try loading the cart with some sample items to demonstrate this if you like. Over the last 15 years, Grace and I covered the shipping on most items, because trying to run a low cost operation which fit my ‘mom and pop’ approach. While people thought of this as quaint, I was told countless times that builders would really rather have a professional distribution system, like the one we have now. If you ever have a specific question on shipping charges, just send in a note on the contact page, it will get answered promptly and exactly. Thanks, ww.
WW, great idea and much needed. This will help everyone and give you guys the time you need to take care of your families.
Ron,
The new website and the arrangements for this took a number of months to put in place. During this time, I had many people ask how we were going to serve builders while I spent to 50 days of the western tour and Colleges #36,37,and 38 on the road without break. All I said at the time was that we were putting an idea together. Today we have the roll out of the system that will your to keep builders supplied with parts in a timely fashion, no matter where I am in the Country. -ww.
Very well done. Only problem: I want to buy more stuff !!
Jeff
This should work out well for all involved. We can certainly appreciate caring for parents. That took some effort on our part but was never a question as to our response.
The links work and everything is easy to find.
Harold and Edi
HI William,
Just one suggestion. Can you put an option in the cart to remove the shipping charge because some people may want to come to Florida to pick up their parts in person. And also maybe put some kind of and update system in place to let the customers know when they will be able to pick up their parts? Thanks for all you and Grace do.
David Swann
Just what the doctor ordered!
Wow, those flat rate shipping charges are flat-lining me!
Michael,
Rachel has set up the shipping with a flat rate total on most items up to a couple hundred dollars, meaning if you buy $500 of stuff, the shipping is the same total $20 as it is on $100. Try loading the cart with some sample items to demonstrate this if you like. Over the last 15 years, Grace and I covered the shipping on most items, because trying to run a low cost operation which fit my ‘mom and pop’ approach. While people thought of this as quaint, I was told countless times that builders would really rather have a professional distribution system, like the one we have now. If you ever have a specific question on shipping charges, just send in a note on the contact page, it will get answered promptly and exactly. Thanks, ww.
William, thank you, now it all makes sense.