We contracted with Robert Weaver to deliver an Air tractor 502B from America to South Africa. His initial appearance of efficiency waned very quickly, and we were progressively sucked into more than a months delay. His excuses are legendary, and the best one, directly to me after yet another weeks delay, was that he was going through a very difficult divorce. Well, he is not even married !!
The aircraft never left America, and he still owes us money. If you are thinking of using him, read about his MO, going back 10 years and think again. I wish I had...hindsight is twenty twenty.
Below is a factual account of how he operates !!
Proflight l Sky Ferry - Timeline of events
9th September 2014
Proflight made contact with Sky Ferry (Robert Weaver), to get our Air Tractor (AT502B) ferried from Olney, Texas – Lanseria, South Africa.
10th September 2014
A contact was signed between Proflight and Sky Ferry.
In the contact, it was stated that the expected ferry timeline would be 6 days (subject to any weather delays).
A southerly routing was agreed for the ferry.
11th September 2014
We received the co-signed contact back from Robert Weaver (Director of Sky Ferry).
Proof of payment was made to Sky Ferry for the full amount.
11th – 16th September 2014
Various emails backwards between sky ferry, tom and Jeff McClatchy at Air Tractor regarding the route, fuel, HF radio etc
16th September 2014
We were informed that Thomas Handzlik was going to be ferrying the aircraft. We received all his pilot information.
18th September 2014 - Email from Robert to Terry at Proflight
“Toms flying up today to view the aircraft. Departure set of the 23rd September. All systems go.
Jeff as I previously mentioned you should get the HF for Friday or Saturday, Monday absolute latest.
Rob Weaver”
23rd September 2014 - Follow up email from Rob to Terry
“Morning Terry/Graham,
Hope your well. Tom got to the factory yesterday and has taken acceptance of the aircraft. The HF radio which I put on two day service was supposed to arrive yesterday but it will not arrive until noon today in TX. Tom will depart to Bangor later but that might not be until about one or 2 PM local time.”
I will be indisposed for the next three or four hours but you can track the progress of the flight on FlightAware.
Rob Weaver”
24th September 2014 - Payment issues from Robert to Tom
“Hi Guys,
The HF arrived yesterday at 14:00 local. My bank did make a error on a payment we sent to Tom Thursday. It was rectified yesterday and should show as credited on tins account very soon today. However I don't anticipate a departure until tomorrow by Tom.
Tom imperative your in the air Thursday so Maine aero can rig up the HF with Antenna they have on Friday as they are closed at the weekends.
I apologise for the minor delay”
25th September 2014 - Email to Proflight
“Tom will be on the way today. Everything sorted ref banking. Jeff, Tom will give you a routing amendment copy for customs. Tom no tail block on the flight plans please as we'il want to track you.
Rob Weaver”
26th – 29th September 2014
There are a number of emails backwards and forwards between Tom, Robert and Jeff. After a number of further delays the HF was planned to be installed on the 29th September 2014.
30th September 2014
Aircraft left air tractor factory enroute to have the HF radio fitted.
1st – 2nd October 2014
Correspondence between Rob and Tom regarding the routing, HF and departure date
In addition, we were asked to send the physical address for certain equipment to be shipped.
3rd October 2014
We were informed that Tom had walked off the job. When we spoke to Rob, he informed us that the pilot was still there and ready to fly.
“Hi Terry, rob here just after midnight here in Austria. I've just spoken with Tom and he most certainly has not walked out of anything. In order to avoid part shipping costs we have been placing those parts in the tailboom and also fixing some last-minute avionic issues in relation to the HF radio and some minor boom issues. We are all working around the clock to get this moving however I will call you as promised tomorrow morning.
I apologise for delays to date, there are some things which have had to be applied and done.
All at expense to me and not you guys.
I'm encircling a departure schedule from Tom
Tomorrow, the local A&P/IA has been working hard to fix some last min aircraft issues.
I've not left this with anyone else but me and Andy in the firm to deal with, I know it might not sound
Much ..... But thank you for your patience.
Rob Weaver”
4th October 2014
There are a number of emailes between Terry and Rob stating:
- Rob isnt answering his calls.
- Rob insisting that he is taking responsibility for the delays.
- Tom is still on the job and that the ferry would commence over the weekend.
6th October 2014
Email from Rob stating the following:
- He has now fired Tom.
- He was busy boarding the flight to do the ferry himself.
- He agreed to knock off funds from the quotation and would be repaying Proflight accordingly.
“Hi Graham, I've just got home and will be packing/planning to come and get the aircraft ASAP. I've sacked Tom (he was a employee until now) ia'l expand further but he's sending funds back to me today. I will advise the route I fly. I'm also knocking off some costs for all this inconvenience. Again Ia'l expand further tomorrow.”
7th October 2014
A number of emails from Rob in which he confirms his planned ferry route, departure date for Thursday the 9th October 2014.
8th October 2014
Email from Rob regarding the ferry departure date.
“Ken. As per my official instructions, please remove the aircraft from the hangar and tie it down outside. Thank you for the competitive fuel price and spay dissemble. In positioning from Paris shortly. Rob Weaver”
Terry’s response – “Thanks for the update Rob!!”
Rob’s response – “I won't let you down, Rob Weaver”
9th October 2014
As it had been previously agreed, Graham sent an email to Rob that he was on track to leave that day. His response:“Plan is to arrive tomorrow morning into kdfw then car over to the field to be in KCAK for tomorrow night.”
Again, we had now missed another hard date!
10th October 2014
We get the news from Rob that he wasn’t going to be flying but instead had contracted with Paul Simmions to do the flight!!!!! As you can imagine, this is completely unacceptable and against the agreement that was made.
“Good Afternoon Graham & Terry,
I had to re schedule the trip with Paul Simmons as my standby ticket today was full plus additionally I am concerned with the North Atlantic weather that with recent seperation proceedings that I'd be unable to complete the trip in time hence why I'm paying another one of my FL based pilots to get it underway.
With Thomas letting me down and other things I have to manage I can't commit 100% of my time to this at the moment. I've covered a lot of costs out my own pocket including the de- rigging as a form if compensation and paul is positioning to the field now, you'll be able to track him on flight aware.
Paul Simmons
FAA CPL / IR / ME / CFI / CFII /MEI
11 PIC Oceanic crossings
FAA class 1 medical , 2000 TT
Significant pt6 & tail time.
We are honouring the commitment promised, albeit with delays. I can't give a exact arrival date, that's not possible but from departure we should be able to adhere to the predicted contractual estimated time.”
11th – 15th October 2014
- A number of emails backwards and forwards between Proflight and Rob
- Rob again promises that the aircraft is ready to fly and that Paul is qualified on the aircraft.
During a conversation with Terry and Rob on Sunday the 12th October 2014, Rob undertakes / commits to saying that “if the aircraft doesn’t depart by Monday night, then he would return the money back to Proflight for the ferry”
Terry spent the entire evening, tracking down the aircraft, speaking to Ken at Southern Star Aviation and trying to get to the bottom of the situation.
As it transpired, the following points need to be made.
- Paul wasn’t qualified to fly the aircraft
- He hadn’t been paid from a previous job and had in effect left the aircraft over the weekend!
- Rob had no idea that this had even taken place, as he was still telling us on the 15th that the reason for the further delays we due to weather and not that the pilot had gone!