As a Bulldog owner for almost 8years may I share my own views regarding the recent changes to the TCH / TRA etc. I think we are all realistic enough to agree that there is no such thing in this life as a 'free lunch'. I think that is regardless of whether you are a provider of a service or a customer. In the current economic climate there has never been a higher drain on personal finances nor a greater need to provide value for money and accountability as a business.
As Penny Washers eludes to the funding of DHSL by BAe Systems has recently come to an end and should DHSL be blamed for this 'new' situation. My take on this is different. Surely, this will not have been news to DHSL that funding was on finite time frame? In fact was it not DHSL that were getting a free ride courtesy of BAe Systems and not Flylogical?. If, armed with the knowledge, that the BAe funding was coming to an end what other methods of funding that business were explored and developed?. We are ALL living and many of us operating businesses in very challenging economic times but the answer to solving business problems is not to unilaterally put up prices and expect not to be challenged or expect that your customers are not going to expect value and accountability.
Personally, I am disappointed that DHSL have adopted this particular strategy and I fear have disenfranchised many in the Bulldog community in the process. I am not expecting a free ride. However, if I am suddenly and unilaterally expected to pay almost £1,000 a year then I am expecting value and accountability for that money. (If my licensed engineer presented a bill for £800 +VAT for labour I would expect probably around 20hrs of tangible work for that) Is my service provider giving me value for money?. Are they proactive?. Do they listen and act upon what I want as a customer?. The spar mod is one of the most pressing issues for most Bulldog owners - it's been discussed for all the time I have owned my aircraft but 8years later where is it?. Also, who is fighting our corner in terms of availability of economic parts?. More recently it has been discussed that pricing on fatigue meter servicing has significantly increased. Have DHSL done anything to help their customers on this?.
The need for DHSL to be economically viable is I think understood by most Bulldog owners. However, if they are being expected to pay for that then be prepared to add value and accountability for the service you provide. Within the Bulldog community there are people with a breadth of business skills that I am sure could have helped DHSL to develop other revenue schemes and help them to shape the service for owners. We should all be working towards the same objectives and not against each other as appears to be the case currently. As I have found in business you seldom win a war with a customer - the occasional battle perhaps but not a War.