Jeremy
Well put - without being too biased, I would put the glider wings well up
the pecking order as surely this is to get existing designs flying. The
glider wings have been in the offing for years, surely longer than the Mk?
Spitfire (as wonderful a plane as that seems to be).
I appreciate that if the cake is small it becomes more difficult to cut it
to everyones benefit. I am working on a School Budget at present with
falling numbers of pupils and potential redundancies!
The shame with the PFA is that the organisation seems to be having
recruitment/retention problems. Is there a story there?
Regards
Steve Pitt
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeremy Davey" <europaflyer_3@msn.com>
Sent: 08 February 2006 09:58
Subject: RE: Europa-List: John Tempest leaving the PFA
>
> Steve,
>
> Very many thanks for your kind wishes, and your core point is well
> understood. I can help a little on that...
>
> The focus of priorities in Engineering is quite clear, and actually has
been
> for some time. Flying planes come first - "keep them in the air". Next are
> projects at completion - "get them flying". Poor souls like me who are
years
> off flying are bottom of the stack - with exceptions made on a
case-by-case
> basis if work is being stopped by Engineering's lack of progress on an
item
> (as happened to me - I couldn't proceed with anything at one point as mods
> on everything were pending).
>
> What I don't think has been satisfactorily sorted is priority given to new
> types. I fully accept that these are an investment in the PFA's future -
but
> at present I don't think we can afford that luxury. I'm interested in
> feedback from folks on the level of priority we should give those (so fire
> away!). Bear in mind, of course, that glider wings for Europas probably
fall
> into this category... and I know I'm not the only person who wants those
(in
> fact there are 2 EC members out of 18 who do!).
>
> Regards,
> Jeremy
>
> Jeremy Davey
> Europa Monowheel 537M G-EZZA
> Europa Club Vice-Chairman, Webmaster, PFA NC Representative
> PFA EC Member
> "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it
is
> possible you haven't grasped the severity of the situation."
> Tail done
> Standard XS wings with mods underway
> CM installed in fuse (with airbrakes fittings)
> 1430 build hours to date, build currently stalled due to house moves and
> lack of workshop
> Intended fit:
> Rotax 914 turbo, Airmaster CS fully-feathering prop
> Lots of lights, buttons, switches, gizmos, and alarms
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
> [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Steven Pitt
> Sent: 08 February 2006 08:29
> To: europa-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Re: Europa-List: John Tempest leaving the PFA
>
> --> <steven.pitt2@ntlworld.com>
>
> Jeremy
> This is not an attempt to vent frustrations at you or anyone else but as I
> approach my kit completion I hope that the Engineering Offices efforts are
> being concentrated on existing builders with kits about to fly rather than
> new 'commercial' kits that are still coming off the drawing board.
> I am not in the know but my impression is that much valuable time has been
> spent testing new 'sexy' aircraft rather than looking after the fleet.
> I wish you both well in your endeavours be it house hunting, aircraft
> building or married life.
> Regards
> Steve Pitt
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jeremy Davey" <europaflyer_3@msn.com>
> To: <europa-list@matronics.com>
> Sent: 07 February 2006 15:17
> Subject: Europa-List: John Tempest leaving the PFA
>
>
<europaflyer_3@msn.com>
> >
> > (Apologies to the non-UK folks for whom this will be of only marginal
> > interest at best.)
> >
> > PFA HQ have issued the following statement:
> >
> > "Our Deputy chief Engineer John Tempest has reluctantly decided to move
on
> > after 10 years of dedicated work for PFA. John has been head hunted by
De
> > Havilland Support (DHS) for some time and has now made a final decision
to
> > take the opportunity to develop his career with DHS. We wish him well in
> > that move.
> >
> > To maintain our capability John will remain as a consultant to PFA.
> >
> > As members know we are currently interviewing candidates for a Head of
> > Engineering and a new design Engineer. With John's imminent departure
we
> > have now expanded this programme to include a replacement for John.
> >
> > Clearly this situation will reduce in the short term our capability and
> > service levels will potentially suffer. Be assured all efforts will be
> made
> > to mitigate this problem. During this difficult period members are asked
> to
> > assist by reducing their demands as much as possible."
> >
> > I'd just a like to add a few personal notes, as I know this will give
rise
> > to great concern in a group such as the Europa community that has a lot
of
> > flying aircraft, many more approaching first flight, and a high rate of
> > modifications.
> >
> > First of all, this is an excellent opportunity for John, who has given
the
> > PFA 10 years of service, and it is quite understandable that he wants to
> > progress his career. He leaves us with my best wishes.
> >
> > Secondly, obviously this is not a good time to lose an Engineer. We were
> > already recruiting a fourth Engineering head, and replacing the Head of
> > Engineering. We're down to 1 man (Francis) compared to 3 a year ago, and
> > compared to a budgeted headcount of 4. It doesn't take Burt Rutan to
work
> > out that this situation brings 'challenges'.
> >
> > Obviously I'll be doing my best, along with the rest of the Engineering
> > committee at the PFA, and the EC, to resolve this as quickly as
possible.
> > We'll also be using this as an opportunity to re-think the way
Engineering
> > works (clouds and silver linings and all that). Liza and I are 'heads
> down'
> > house-hunting at present, and that process will hopefully be followed by
a
> > house move, so can I just say that I'd really appreciate it if folks
> didn't
> > 'vent' their frustrations at me at this time.
> >
> > Thanks and regards,
> > Jeremy
> >
> > Jeremy Davey
> > Europa Monowheel 537M G-EZZA
> > Europa Club Vice-Chairman, Webmaster, PFA NC Representative
> > PFA EC Member
> > "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it
> is
> > possible you haven't grasped the severity of the situation."
> > Tail done
> > Standard XS wings with mods underway
> > CM installed in fuse (with airbrakes fittings)
> > 1430 build hours to date, build currently stalled due to house moves and
> > lack of workshop
> > Intended fit:
> > Rotax 914 turbo, Airmaster CS fully-feathering prop
> > Lots of lights, buttons, switches, gizmos, and alarms
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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