Mike James
Posts: 2472
Joined: 1/19/2002
From: Anchorage,
AK, USA
Status: offline
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A 2-part message from Mike James, designer of the 1/3rd scale Berkut-Long EZ from Fusco Aircraft:
First, to the vast majority of Fusco customers, who have been patient with us on the Berkut-Long EZ project:
We can't thank you enough for your understanding, and you are certainly our favorite customers. The Berkut-Long EZ is an unconventional aircraft, both in real life, and as a modeling project. More details about the "issues" associated with this project will be brought to light, as you receive your kits, read the manual, view the online articles that will be published on the Fusco web site, etc.. The result of our having solved these problems is that you now have a very nice looking and flying model.
From a design point of view, several issues surfaced after we had announced the shipping date, and although they slowed us down, we have successfully solved all of them, resulting in a great looking, great flying model. From a manufacturing point of view, there were a series of bizarre problems that had nothing to do with us... from thunderstorms causing power outages and burning up a vacuum-forming machine, to contractors failing to produce custom parts on time, and even shipping problems, which has caused us to change freight companies three times during the process. We are learning more each day about ways to improve every aspect of the business, we continue on, solving each issue one at a time, and are delivering kits as promised. We hope that you'll report on the kits as you receive them, and we know you'll have a great time flying them. They're good looking, impressively big, and they fly great. Our favorite customers are those of you who are in direct contact with the company, and you are the ONLY ones who really know what is going on. Complaining on RCU, fabricating lies, making unsound accusations and implications are all the product of what I can only describe as feeble minds. It's kind of like ordering something from Sears, and then complaining to Chevrolet about it. The truth, and those answers, will not be found on RCU or anywhere else except Fusco Aircraft.
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Now, to the folks who are promoting all the negativity here:
You are not only "barking up the wrong tree", but you are wrong. I will also add that most of you who are attempting to do damage here are cowards. We know that there are several of you who will call Fusco Aircraft and/or one of the distributors and ask polite questions, seem understanding, etc., and then come here, thinking that you're anonymous, and post the garbage we've all read. Not even ONE of you has called Val'a Fusco and spoken to him the way you speak here. Is it your belief that this behavior will get you better service? Try posting a lie-filled list of accusations about one of your hometown companies in the local paper. Then go to that company, tell them who you are, and see what kind of reception you get. The important issue is that you're wrong, but my point specifically is that it's also immature, pretty dumb, and it helps absolutely no one. Some of you are portraying yourselves as "warning prospective buyers", and that's the most foul lie of all. You're simply spreading misinformation. Maybe this is the same syndrome as "road rage", where people think they're invincible behind the wheel. Do you think that posting this crap on RCU or elsewhere somehow makes you "unknown" to us? And, why would you do it anyway?
Val'a Fusco wants to deliver only the best to customers, including images. The original plan was for him to personally create a "show stopper" version of the kit, and post those photos first. Due to the delays and problems that go with that, he hasn't had the time. We began to see that images of the actual aircraft flying were important, even if it wasn't the "show stopper" finish we'd prefer. So...
We've shown photos of the plug and mold-making process. We've showed still photos of the aircraft. We've showed movies of one of the prototype aircraft in flight, (some shot in 25 mph winds!) and we're about to publish an extensive background article on the model. We're making and delivering kits. Still, the absurd behavior of a few truly ignorant individuals persists. One individual states that since the video was "obviously shot in Alaska", (where I currently live) that it somehow means something negative. (I kept the prototype and sent Val'a the plugs and molds.) Hey, I have over 1500 hours in the design and building of it... Am I not allowed to fly it or shoot video of it? Val'a even had one absurd call recently, accusing him of faking the movies of the model flying, by somehow altering video of a 1/5th scale Long EZ. I suppose that if you believe that aliens built the pyramids, this fits with your thinking, but really folks, wake up. Everything in life is not a conspiracy.
An example...
In the past few months, Val'a Fusco has sold and delivered over 200 of the smaller 1/5th scale Long EZ kits. I have yet to see even one post on RCU about that. So, are you shocked beyond belief that no one has yet reported on the large kit? It's dumb, plain and simple.
Another one...
NO ONE has "waited since December" for delivery. The earliest announced delivery date was mid February, so those who word their posts that way are inflating the late delivery by 2 1/2 months.
Another one...
A few people have noticed that Fusco Aircraft is incorporated in Reno, Nevada. It's true, and has never been a secret. Val'a is currently located in Tennessee, and there are distributors located around the country. So?
Another one...
There's a lot of conjecture about the serial numbers on your certificates. These numbers are for Val'a's internal reference on both inventory and supply, and have nothing to do with how many kits have been manufactured, or the order in which the kits are shipped. So, all references to that in the above posts are simply invented by people here on RCU, and have no basis in reality. The same is true for ANY "inside" information about the company. Those of you posting that stuff have no idea what you're talking about, and are inventing it all.
There is one problem with us, and one problem only. For a variety of non-evil reasons, we've experienced problems that have caused us shipping delays on this kit. If those of you who are still waiting can bear with a new company's growing pains, you'll be rewarded with a whole new series of really nice models, made in the USA, and sold at reasonable prices. You risk NOTHING, since you can get a refund if you prefer. If you choose instead to spread vicious lies, make false accusations, insult our integrity, and generally attempt to damage the company, then you're not a "customer"... You're "the enemy". Why would we, or any other company react otherwise?
Here's a little science experiment you can try...
Go down to your local hobby shop, and hang out there in the aisles, telling other customers (within earshot of the owner) that "their fuel is no good", "their engines are fakes...copies from Japan", "they don't really have kits in those boxes... They're all empty", etc.. Then, walk up to the owner and demand prompt and courteous service, and see what happens. When you get out of the hospital, you can report your findings here on RCU, in the "Crash" forum.
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Mike James
RC Design and Building - www.nextcraft.com
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Printable Version
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> ARF or RTF >> 1/3 Long-EZ ARF... Good deal? 
1/3 Long-EZ ARF... Good deal? - 
1/3 Long-EZ ARF... Good deal? - 
1/3 Long-EZ ARF... Good deal? - 
