Rogerson Kratos huge repair costs
Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 264
Likes: 55
From: Hedge
Dont hold me to it, but I have been told (from a very respectable FAA repair shop) that all USA OEM's are 'obliged' to release technical service data on any component installed onto a FAA Type Certified aircraft, upon request of the registered owner.
It may be BS, but worth a thought......
And with all due respect to RAC, you are taking the p**s.
$15k before you even know what the problem is?!!
If you are at HAI next week, I will be more than happy to come by your booth and chat over a beer. Im sure a few more blokes here will tag along as well.
With your rates you should be able to buy a few
Best regards,
Salusa
It may be BS, but worth a thought......
And with all due respect to RAC, you are taking the p**s.
$15k before you even know what the problem is?!!
If you are at HAI next week, I will be more than happy to come by your booth and chat over a beer. Im sure a few more blokes here will tag along as well.
With your rates you should be able to buy a few
Best regards,
Salusa
Guest
Posts: n/a
Not forgetting Cessna, for them to change the DVD player as the Citation X comes with two standard Zone 1 (USA) DVD's to change it to a multizone DVD it costs USD $25000.
Or copy the movies you have already bought onto another disc so there is no restrictions on them
All the information and software to do it no cost is readily available on the net
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Lost in thought
Someone once told me "there is no such thing as a good avionics supplier. You just have to pick between the best of the bad ones." I'm sure that applies to a lot of things.
But after 25 years in the avionics design business, I can tell you the cost of things is never what you think it should be. And typically people direct there ire at the wrong folks. Especially when it comes to custom-specified avionics that is type certified with the aircraft, it is often more an issue of the relationship with the helicopter manufacturer, and the arrangement under which it was developed.
It's not the same thing when it's a Garmin radio, or a Honeywell radar with thousands in the field. Then it's their design, their control of product warranty and improvements, their TSO, and their support.
When you design specialized equipment to an aircraft manufacturer's spec for a production volume of 10 or 15 aircraft a year.... When the equipment is so custom to that aircraft that it doesn't go any other place.... When the aircraft manufacturer doesn't bother to pony up or otherwise establish agreements to help maintain spares inventory or repair facilities... Then the avionics manufacturer often gets left holding the "public relations" bag when the end user comes looking for repairs or replacements. And the aircraft manufacturer's are often all too happy to let the blame slide there. When they have to literally re-start up the production line to build a spare card for this low-volume model. Then you can imagine what it does to the cost. Go ask an MD-900 owner how long it takes or what it costs to repair an IIDS from cmc electronics. Is that cmc's fault or MD's?
Avnx EO
But after 25 years in the avionics design business, I can tell you the cost of things is never what you think it should be. And typically people direct there ire at the wrong folks. Especially when it comes to custom-specified avionics that is type certified with the aircraft, it is often more an issue of the relationship with the helicopter manufacturer, and the arrangement under which it was developed.
It's not the same thing when it's a Garmin radio, or a Honeywell radar with thousands in the field. Then it's their design, their control of product warranty and improvements, their TSO, and their support.
When you design specialized equipment to an aircraft manufacturer's spec for a production volume of 10 or 15 aircraft a year.... When the equipment is so custom to that aircraft that it doesn't go any other place.... When the aircraft manufacturer doesn't bother to pony up or otherwise establish agreements to help maintain spares inventory or repair facilities... Then the avionics manufacturer often gets left holding the "public relations" bag when the end user comes looking for repairs or replacements. And the aircraft manufacturer's are often all too happy to let the blame slide there. When they have to literally re-start up the production line to build a spare card for this low-volume model. Then you can imagine what it does to the cost. Go ask an MD-900 owner how long it takes or what it costs to repair an IIDS from cmc electronics. Is that cmc's fault or MD's?
Avnx EO
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, CA
Rogerson Kratos displays in S76
So Nick, my responsibilities include getting feedback from customers and operators.
And like you, a lot of S76 operators like the Kratos displays.
As you know, some of the displays we are talking about here have been successfully flying for more than 10 years. Now, Sikorsky and Kratos recently joined together in a program to keep displays flying at least another 10 years with updated LCD’s. Go figure.
As for repair costs, ask your buddies at HSI. You, and the operators will be pleased.
See you all at the HAI show.
And like you, a lot of S76 operators like the Kratos displays.
As you know, some of the displays we are talking about here have been successfully flying for more than 10 years. Now, Sikorsky and Kratos recently joined together in a program to keep displays flying at least another 10 years with updated LCD’s. Go figure.
As for repair costs, ask your buddies at HSI. You, and the operators will be pleased.
See you all at the HAI show.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,688
Likes: 254
From: Australia
Is anyone game to call in to the Rogerson Kratos stand at the HAI Heli-Expo and ask the Chairman Michael Rogerson whether Rogerson Kratos can become more competitive in relation to their repair costs?
Remember, Aesir said:
I have been asked to loan my helicopter for display at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon in Australia. At the moment it has a hole in the dashboard. I would like to get that fixed.
Remember, Aesir said:
Hmm.. doesn´t seem like "bashing" to me! Just fix the mans display for reasonable price.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
A hole in the dash
The ties that bind Dick! I look across the yawning financial chasm that separates us & I realise that a black hole in the panel looks & feels the same no matter where you are in the pecking order.
I know a pilot so disheartened by a missing gauge that he fitted a photograph of same over the gap till the item was repaired. The devil in me has some humdinger suggestions for wording on a placard you could use to fill the void but my characteristic restraint is winning out.
Hope the chopper God's smile on ya & circumstances see your bird with a fully populated suite of displays come Avalon.
I know a pilot so disheartened by a missing gauge that he fitted a photograph of same over the gap till the item was repaired. The devil in me has some humdinger suggestions for wording on a placard you could use to fill the void but my characteristic restraint is winning out.
Hope the chopper God's smile on ya & circumstances see your bird with a fully populated suite of displays come Avalon.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 71
From: Wanaka, NZ
Brian is right, don't think ESSO were very happy with their RK IIDS, which is the main reason why the 3 S76C+ Macau helicopters were ordered with steam gauges rather than RK.
Dick, hope you get that panel hole filled before our American friends release David Hicks from Guantanimo Bay resort!
Dick, hope you get that panel hole filled before our American friends release David Hicks from Guantanimo Bay resort!
