As I shared my "grumbling" on Uavionics products I thought it only fair
to share their response. It follows. Below that is my reply back to Shane.
Larry Flesner
+++++++++++++++++++++
Larry,
Thanks for contacting uAvionix. I can't help but this we've made each
others acquaintance from my iFly GPS days. I'm very sorry you feel this
way, but we ran the Experimental product for nearly 2 years and 3 months
past the 2020 Mandate. Unfortunately, we had numerous pilots buying the
EXP version and installing on a Certified aircraft, and this is not
compliant as they are not the same.
We did spend over 7 figures to certify the skyBeacon product and again
on the tailBeacon. Once we received the certification we shifted to
manufacture them all the same, minus the software, so the overall cost
was significantly higher for us, but we did continue to sell them for 3
months beyond the mandate at the reduced margin. We even advised
resellers to stock up as it would be consolidated. The FAA was seeing
EXP units installed on Certified aircraft and this is a problem for us
at the FAA level. In an effort to reduce pilot confusion, we
consolidated the EXP versions in March of 2020, as most Experimental
owners were choosing to install echoUAT, which is only $1399 for ADS-B
Out and In. The demand for the experimental skyBeacon and tailBeacon
was very low compared to echoUAT and our TSO products so in order to
streamline productions to keep products in stock and reduce confusion we
consolidated the EXP models of tB and sB.
We very much value our Experimental community and still build the most
affordable ADS-B In/Out device on the market for them, the EchoUAT.
Then the new tailBeaconX EXP is a Mode S transponder with ADS-B Out and
it's only $2499, about a third of what Garmin charges for a Diversity
ADS-B Transponder that is Aireon compatible.
Again, I'm very sorry that you feel this way. This was a mandated
product and we were seeing lots of confusion on TSO and EXP installs, so
we ran the EXP well past the Mandate and then consolidated them. We
actually provide free units to many beta testers for validation and
testing data during the cert process, so we really do not rely on our
Experimental retail customers for such. Some might think of it as
really more of an introductory price or early bird special. We do
greatly appreciate our Experimental community of fellow pilots.
Sorry for your frustration,
*
*
*Shane Woodson | **Director of Sales*
*O: *(844)827-2372 x209 * E: *sh...@uavionix.com <mailto:sh...@uavionix.com>
*uAvionix.com <http://uavionix.com/>
*
*+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
Shane,
Thanks for your in depth explanation on Uavionics products. I'm sure
there's more to the story than my financial frustration. I'll pass along
your reply to all that I "grumbled" to. As to the misunderstanding
between products, (i.e. experimental / certified) I don't think it was
as much confusion as people trying to beat the system. That fault
should go to the buyer not the seller.
Speaking of IFLY, I'm still a happy customer with them and promote it to
all that will listen.
Now flying identified by Uavionics...............
Larry Flesner
_______________________________________________
Search the KRnet Archives at https://www.mail-archive.com/krnet@list.krnet.org/.
Please see LIST RULES and KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html.
see http://list.krnet.org/mailman/listinfo/krnet_list.krnet.org to change
options.
To UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@list.krnet.org
