Six Chuter West LLC

Subscribe to this newsletter by going to www.sixchuterwest.com

and filling out the “new request” form on the front page.

SIX CHUTER NEWS NOVEMBER 2009

• FINAL NOTICE!!  ELSA Airworthiness Certificate Expiration Date
• On the 20^th Anniversary of Six Chuter Inc. An Interview with Dan Bailey, President
• Product News
• OK Who Do We Contact?-Information on the Organization and How to Contact Us
• Stay In The Loop-Stay In Contact
• Other Resources

ALERT:  CHECK THE AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATES ON YOUR ELSA.  IF YOU HAVE ONE THAT ALLOWED FOR TRAINING IN THE ELSA YOU WILL LIKELY SHOW AN EXPIRATION DATE OF JANUARY 2010 ON THAT CERTIFICATE.  IF YOU LET THAT EXPIRE THERE IS NO PROCEDURE FOR REISSUING AFTER THE DEADLINE.  Here’s a link to an FAA letter emphasizing that if you had training op limits and don’t get a new airworthiness Certificate and op limits before they expire in January.
http://www.aerosports.org/forms/how-to-n-number-an-aircraft/faa-says-change-or-else

A note from Six Chuter Associate Clyde Poser: By the end of next week I should have my new DAR authorization and I will be able to re-issue A/W certificates and ops limits removing the training limitation. You can mail the required documents to me and I will mail them back. I will be charging $20 for this service for my time and the return postage, since I will be sending it back registered for less possibility of loss. Or you can come to my house to get it done for $10. This is much easier than going to the FAA office with its hassle of security.  Of course the FAA is free.

The documents required will be:
1. 8130-6 just like the one you did the first time.
2. letter addressed to Spokane FSDO requesting re-issue to remove the training limitation.
3. Your aircraft logbook so I can certify the change.
4. Your old airworthiness certificate and operating limitations

RULE AVIATION http://www.ruleaviation.com/ Clyde Poser Phone:  253-447-4398 Tech support: tech@rainierultralightengines.com

On The Six Chuter 20^th Anniversary

An Interview with Dan Bailey, President Six Chuter Inc. 

 Dan Tell us about how Six Chuter got started

 In 1991 there were six previous employees laid off from another PPC manufacturing company that banded together to start the new company.  Hence the name Six Chuter Inc.  It was an eclectic group to say the least with a mix of previous office personnel and manufacturing experience.  Three of us had worked together before at an RV manufacturing company in Yakima, but for the most part our PPC experience was limited to the few weeks or at most months we had worked together at the previous company.  Still our enthusiasm was high given that we believed that there was a business climate for that product in front of us, we just had to develop a market that created the demand for our supply side capabilities. 

 As with any new business the first year was slow even though we did capture some folks from our previous employer’s network to help get us started.  But that didn’t prevent the first defections that would come that very first summer when three of the original six left the company to find full time “paying” jobs.  It was tough and there were many times we considered closing shop, but somehow the remaining three of us survived that winter and made it into 1992.  Even still, new sales were sporadic at best, but between those and parts sales we somehow survived until July of that year when we received an order for three units from a gentleman in Ohio.  I can’t say for sure what really caused a difference but from that point on our sales began to increase and we never had to look back again. 

Tell us about the “evolution” of the sport, from your perspective

From the first days of my involvement there were times when I wasn’t sure exactly where we belonged or even if we did belong in any segment of aviation.  Certainly the hierarchy of general aviation didn’t want anything to do with us; and the ultra light world which at that time was a pretty strong entity in its own right, only seemed to allow us privilege of participation if and when we paid for advertising in a magazine or booth space at an air show.  Even then we were held in pretty low accord.  By the middle to end of the 1990′s the PPC manufacturers had grown to three or four companies and I can’t say we were ever on the same page or that there was any real unity between us. But in 1997 we had a very crucial meeting in Chicago that in my mind shaped our entire destiny.  As a group we basically laid out the ground work for rule change and acceptance for PPC’s that would finally come to fruition in 2004.   

I know that there is a huge faction of pilots that take exception to these new rules, but I honestly believe that our sport would not have survived given the direction it was going by 2004.  So for me our total existence depended on some of us realizing that acceptance required change.  That change would move us closer to GA rules as opposed to demanding a separate set of rules just for our type product.   

In one sense the latter did happen with our acceptance into the FAR’s, but within the context of working with the FAA to insure our manufacturers, instructors and pilots were actually credentialed.  Even dating back to the inception of the Basic Flight Instructor rules of the 1990′s, most people don’t understand that because of better instruction, there were fewer accidents and deaths.  We now have the best trained pilots ever which is evident to me in fewer parts sales due to accidents. Certainly there has been an evolution in the design of PPC’s over the last twenty years and I don’t want to discount the importance of that.  But to me the real evolution has occurred with our acceptance as an aircraft.  As we move forward all of those ideas that we considered in 1991 that might ultimately move more potential pilots towards our sport can now happen in this new environment that accepts our pilots, our instructors and our product without limiting our market.  In my mind that is evolution.  

Talk to us about your design philosophy.  What makes Six Chuter distinctive?

Pretty simple.  Light is right.  I spent twenty plus years in RV manufacturing before getting involved in sport aviation manufacturing.  During that time we survived two different oil/gas embargo’s largely by building a quality product but for sure about utilizing designs that were efficient and light weight.  

Dan Bailey "Hands On with the Six Chuter Legend XL"

Over the years I have always felt the same about our product and to this day I believe that saving a pound in aircraft weight could save someone’s life or limb.  Less weight to me means better performance “when you need it most.”  I have never accepted that you should design a unit to survive a rollover.  As I’ve said for years, Boeing doesn’t build a 747 to rollover, neither will we.  So, when you look at the Legend design we offer now it is a culmination of design changes over 20 years that are directly pointed at providing a strong undercarriage in a lightweight overall airframe.  Could it be lighter?  Probably and I would likely move that direction except for perceived market ideologies that believe an extra tube here and there is actually safer. 

What is in store for Six Chuter models, for Six Chuter Inc. and for Dan Bailey?

 Since the new rule changes in 2004 coupled with the down market and cost of R & D, you will only see minor changes in the current product line in the coming 2010 model year.  We do plan to finalize our Rotax 912 unit this winter which will be added to the product line as the Legend Paragon.  In addition we will mothball the XT side by side model as most instructors prefer the tandem with dual controls. 

 Beyond that we will continue to finalize and clean up manuals and our manufacturing process.  The changes we made this year which basically downsized my participation in the manufacturing process have largely been proven successful although we’ve only had a limited number of units move through the system.  But, in the long run I think we have positioned ourselves network wide to handle the future nicely.  More sales are always good, but in reality this time has been used to restructure ourselves for the future.  I’m certainly not ready to retire but there is a reality to the process that dictates we prepare for that eventuality.  Until then getting everyone else up to speed makes sense and that’s what we’re doing. 2009 has been a tough year for everyone and virtually every business.  But, as in all the previous years we survived and in some ways grew stronger.  I look forward to 2010 and I’m hopeful that our economy will begin to turn around and with it ours and everyone else’s fortunes.  I think if you look at the numbers of new pilots and the numbers of potential new pilots, even in a down economy those numbers are pretty impressive in the markets that are active. The key as always will be to revitalize those dormant markets and get more folks interested in flying again. 

PRODUCT NEWS

• The Legend XL has recently been upgraded with a full dual control option.  This installation includes dual throttle, dual ground steering and dual canopy steering.  Also included is an instructor “magneto kill” switch that allows a rear seat instructor to shut down the engine. This aircraft has quickly gained popularity among the CFI crowd with four SLSA’s with dual controls delivered already this year.
• The Legend XL has added an upper C.G. brace.  The XL is one of the few new tandem PPCs on the market today without overhead frontal bars.  This more open air flying is popular with many pilots. The additional upper brace adds strength to the outrigger system. XLs with frontal bars now have a “side brace” that also improves the look and increases the strength of the system.  Either modification is available to current Legend Owners by calling Rolando Santiago, Parts and Tech Support, 360 904-8766
  

  New Upper Outrigger Brace on Legend XL

   

   

The 2010 Six Chuter Catalogue will be available this week.  You will be able to sign into http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=8 and fill out the information form to receive a free downloadable issue.

OK, SO WHO DO WE CONTACT?

You don’t need to understand all the reasoning and strategy for the Six Chuter transition.  So let’s keep it simple.  If you need ANYTHING from Six Chuter (parts, pricing, new order, technical support) West of longitude 98 call ROLANDO SANTIAGO 360 904-8766.  Anything East of 98 Degrees call JOE FENSTERMACHER (610) 273-0220  Business Opportunities and Dealer support, Doug Maas maas0755@comcast.net

STAY IN THE LOOP

You will find no other manufacturer who supports our prospective and current customers to the extent that Six Chuter Inc. does.  First…WE ANSWER THE PHONE! Next we manage extensive communication networks to insure that you get constant support.  Not just rhetoric, but the right kind of support to keep you flying….”safe and for a lifetime”.

Six Chuter Inc. Website: www.sixchuter.com

Six Chuter West Website: www.sixchuterwest.com

Six Chuter East Website: www.quakerstatepoweredparachutes.com

Six Chuter Owners: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sixchuterowners/

Six Chuter Representatives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SIXCHUTERDEALERS/

Western Powered Parachute Association LLC (Training): www.westernppa.org

Six Chuter Business Opportunities: Doug Maas maas0755@comcast.net

Sport Pilot Academy (Training Affiliate): www.sportpilotacademy.com  

Six Chuter Full Service Flight Centers:

OTHER RESOURCES

• Subscribe to the Powered Parachuter This is a new Pacific N.W. journal style publication that will keep you tuned into the sport and connect with others. The publication can be ordered in print form or a less expensive and very convenient monthly download. https://1spa.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp?view=1&i=13&navicat=13

• 2010 Western Powered Parachute Association Catalogue Available The updated catalogue of the Western Powered Parachute Association LLC is available as a free download.  Just go to http://sixchuterwest.com/?page_id=259 and fill out the download form.  The catalogue is packed with information about sport pilot and training resources.

Dan Bailey, President Six Chuter Inc. Since 1990