My FEJ story
04-04-2014, 09:54 AM
#53
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04-04-2014, 09:55 AM
#54
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04-04-2014, 09:56 AM
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Erik,
I think you have proved a couple of things.
It doesn't really matter if you have an early kit, strengthened or not, they still are not air worthy. A lot of guys here think that the "early" kits are ok. You even modified it to make it stronger and it still failed. Im curious where it failed?
You also did exactly what every other guy has done that crashed, assumed that it would not happen to them, and flew the jet anyway and it crashed. No one knows where they will fail, the tail or the wings or the fuse. They are all garbage. I see guys still doing this every day, even at major events. 1 flight, 10 flights or 30, they still fall out of the air. Seems like a huge safety matter.
You also didn't mention a word to anyone on here til you received your new jet that was built and overseen by Nir at the factory. Not a single warning to anybody from anyone that the F16 "early" kit was a problem? Now since you were silent, which is what they want guys to be, you have a new jet. You don't really come off as the kind of guy who would remain silent, especially not to warn fellow modelers. how many silent guys are there???? Geeze!
What happened to your turbines and electronics?
How exactly is your new jet any different? it still looks like the same crap they been doing since the start.
These guys have a lot to do before they start telling everyone the problem is fixed and mass producing more bombs. They need a whole division devoted to testing and R&D. actual limit testing to destruction. what are the limits?
There are guys receiving new stabs and parts that are supposed to "fix" the problem. Really? How would anyone bolt on a new stab and stick 6K worth of turbine and electronics in and think they are ok? Then the wings fold, fuse flex, flutter, etc.
So many have come here before you expecting different results and have all been given the same.
Sigh
Scott
I think you have proved a couple of things.
It doesn't really matter if you have an early kit, strengthened or not, they still are not air worthy. A lot of guys here think that the "early" kits are ok. You even modified it to make it stronger and it still failed. Im curious where it failed?
You also did exactly what every other guy has done that crashed, assumed that it would not happen to them, and flew the jet anyway and it crashed. No one knows where they will fail, the tail or the wings or the fuse. They are all garbage. I see guys still doing this every day, even at major events. 1 flight, 10 flights or 30, they still fall out of the air. Seems like a huge safety matter.
You also didn't mention a word to anyone on here til you received your new jet that was built and overseen by Nir at the factory. Not a single warning to anybody from anyone that the F16 "early" kit was a problem? Now since you were silent, which is what they want guys to be, you have a new jet. You don't really come off as the kind of guy who would remain silent, especially not to warn fellow modelers. how many silent guys are there???? Geeze!
What happened to your turbines and electronics?
How exactly is your new jet any different? it still looks like the same crap they been doing since the start.
These guys have a lot to do before they start telling everyone the problem is fixed and mass producing more bombs. They need a whole division devoted to testing and R&D. actual limit testing to destruction. what are the limits?
There are guys receiving new stabs and parts that are supposed to "fix" the problem. Really? How would anyone bolt on a new stab and stick 6K worth of turbine and electronics in and think they are ok? Then the wings fold, fuse flex, flutter, etc.
So many have come here before you expecting different results and have all been given the same.
Sigh
Scott
04-04-2014, 10:55 AM
#56
Gents,
All fair points made. If they don't support customers,they deserve your wrath. I said I will be honest,so I will. My wing departed at the bottom of a gentle loop. They said the new wings were better,and physically showed me the difference on the demo models. They said that's how my replacement would be constructed. Nir says they followed through. My last engine was totaled in the crash. My electronics were repaired. They,and a used P-200 are going in this one. As far as restitution,they have to start somewhere. Maybe it's me. Time will tell.
Erik
All fair points made. If they don't support customers,they deserve your wrath. I said I will be honest,so I will. My wing departed at the bottom of a gentle loop. They said the new wings were better,and physically showed me the difference on the demo models. They said that's how my replacement would be constructed. Nir says they followed through. My last engine was totaled in the crash. My electronics were repaired. They,and a used P-200 are going in this one. As far as restitution,they have to start somewhere. Maybe it's me. Time will tell.
Erik
04-04-2014, 11:46 AM
#58
Gents,
I was picking my daughter up from school when typing my last response, so I had to cut it short.
Scott,
You are 100% correct, in that I am not one to remain silent. I chose to wait until I had all the facts. Certainly, my jumping on the flamewagon would've deteriorated any dialogue I had going with them about a replacement. I chose to wait and see what their response would be, and then I chose to share it here.
A few years ago, I had a high end arf scale jet, from a well known and respected manufacturer, come apart spectacularly at one of our events, after a gentle roll. A friend, spotting for another friend said, "Erik just blew up!" They were joking about making teeshirts saying " I was there when Erik blew up." It turns out that there was no glue on the bottom of the main bulkheads that house the wing spar recepticles. I took pics of the offending parts, clearly showing no glue in this critical area, emailed them to the company, and they sent me a replacement. Those joints were covered with carbon cloth, so there was no way of knowing the actual glue joint was non existent. This same company has had numerous failures lately, but there's no witch hunt, because they are "blessed", and they've been quietly replacing clearly defective products.
The point is, I can't judge any company based on what others say, because I don't know the whole story, from either side. I certainly was more cautious, and we took steps to reinforce the last one, and yes, I had the same result. In my case, I bought the airplane for less than half price from the estate sale, and got a great deal on a used engine, so I elected to press on. FEJ knows that I was not the original purchaser of the airframe, yet they still elected to support the product in my case. I don't know how others have reacted or responded to them, so I can't, and won't make a judgement on other's outcomes. I can just share mine, and I promise to be truthful, no matter what the outcome is.
On a different note, I am grateful for the civility everyone has displayed in this thread. I will not get into a flamewar, and if it devolves to that, I will just disengage. Regards,
Erik
I was picking my daughter up from school when typing my last response, so I had to cut it short.
Scott,
You are 100% correct, in that I am not one to remain silent. I chose to wait until I had all the facts. Certainly, my jumping on the flamewagon would've deteriorated any dialogue I had going with them about a replacement. I chose to wait and see what their response would be, and then I chose to share it here.
A few years ago, I had a high end arf scale jet, from a well known and respected manufacturer, come apart spectacularly at one of our events, after a gentle roll. A friend, spotting for another friend said, "Erik just blew up!" They were joking about making teeshirts saying " I was there when Erik blew up." It turns out that there was no glue on the bottom of the main bulkheads that house the wing spar recepticles. I took pics of the offending parts, clearly showing no glue in this critical area, emailed them to the company, and they sent me a replacement. Those joints were covered with carbon cloth, so there was no way of knowing the actual glue joint was non existent. This same company has had numerous failures lately, but there's no witch hunt, because they are "blessed", and they've been quietly replacing clearly defective products.
The point is, I can't judge any company based on what others say, because I don't know the whole story, from either side. I certainly was more cautious, and we took steps to reinforce the last one, and yes, I had the same result. In my case, I bought the airplane for less than half price from the estate sale, and got a great deal on a used engine, so I elected to press on. FEJ knows that I was not the original purchaser of the airframe, yet they still elected to support the product in my case. I don't know how others have reacted or responded to them, so I can't, and won't make a judgement on other's outcomes. I can just share mine, and I promise to be truthful, no matter what the outcome is.
On a different note, I am grateful for the civility everyone has displayed in this thread. I will not get into a flamewar, and if it devolves to that, I will just disengage. Regards,
Erik
04-04-2014, 12:00 PM
#60
I just asked for some parts replaced, Nir said he would ask but nothing has ever come of it. I did get the typical fej comment from him as well, the "well I have the same thing and mine is fine" Pretty much gave up right then. Good luck with your jet, im glad they finally did right by someone.
04-04-2014, 12:18 PM
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Quite sure everyone who's ever lost one of these jets by this particular vendor has been very business like and cordial when initially communicating with them about the issue(s). It's only after they realized they were getting the run-around or... just getting jet blast blown up their arse, that communications deteriorated and resignation followed.
Seems like actually getting a replacement from them is right up there with a Cinderella story, you know the kind where it always happens to someone else. Couple by accident stumbles across a barrel full of uncirculated gold coins under a tree on their property, 17 year old high school boy has sex with his 28 year old female teacher, The Nick Nack Paddy Wack neck, back and foot massage parlor next door which has been in business for five years gets caught providing sex to customers and "we" didn't find out about it until after it was raided, the guy's jet fails in mid-flight and the company replaces it with a newer improved one, free of charge, etc. etc. You know... always someone else's Cinderella story.
Seems like actually getting a replacement from them is right up there with a Cinderella story, you know the kind where it always happens to someone else. Couple by accident stumbles across a barrel full of uncirculated gold coins under a tree on their property, 17 year old high school boy has sex with his 28 year old female teacher, The Nick Nack Paddy Wack neck, back and foot massage parlor next door which has been in business for five years gets caught providing sex to customers and "we" didn't find out about it until after it was raided, the guy's jet fails in mid-flight and the company replaces it with a newer improved one, free of charge, etc. etc. You know... always someone else's Cinderella story.
Last edited by SushiHunter; 04-04-2014 at 12:50 PM.
04-04-2014, 01:34 PM
#63
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Seems like actually getting a replacement from them is right up there with a Cinderella story, you know the kind where it always happens to someone else. Couple by accident stumbles across a barrel full of uncirculated gold coins under a tree on their property, 17 year old high school boy has sex with his 28 year old female teacher, The Nick Nack Paddy Wack neck, back and foot massage parlor next door which has been in business for five years gets caught providing sex to customers and "we" didn't find out about it until after it was raided, the guy's jet fails in mid-flight and the company replaces it with a newer improved one, free of charge, etc. etc. You know... always someone else's Cinderella story.
Your a idiot.................
Your a idiot.................
04-04-2014, 01:45 PM
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Seems like actually getting a replacement from them is right up there with a Cinderella story, you know the kind where it always happens to someone else. Couple by accident stumbles across a barrel full of uncirculated gold coins under a tree on their property, 17 year old high school boy has sex with his 28 year old female teacher, The Nick Nack Paddy Wack neck, back and foot massage parlor next door which has been in business for five years gets caught providing sex to customers and "we" didn't find out about it until after it was raided, the guy's jet fails in mid-flight and the company replaces it with a newer improved one, free of charge, etc. etc. You know... always someone else's Cinderella story.
Your a idiot.................
Your a idiot.................
04-04-2014, 01:57 PM
#65
OK people listen up! I have one thing useful to add to this conversation:
When you want to say "YOU ARE," its "YOU'RE". "YOUR" is the possessive case of "YOU", NOT a contraction.
Sorry to pick on Lil Hoss - he's not the only one... GET IT RIGHT!
Y'all (southern contraction for YOU ALL) be careful out there... Watch out for falling FEJ's!
Bob
When you want to say "YOU ARE," its "YOU'RE". "YOUR" is the possessive case of "YOU", NOT a contraction.
Sorry to pick on Lil Hoss - he's not the only one... GET IT RIGHT!
Y'all (southern contraction for YOU ALL) be careful out there... Watch out for falling FEJ's!
Bob
04-04-2014, 02:06 PM
#66
Erik, I find it disappointing that you remained silent until FEJ gave you what you wanted. I too, could have done the same thing, but that also would have meant another modeler losing his plane or a bystander being hurt. As much as some of you rant on about this just being a hobby, it's one that can have serious consequences if someone is hurt or killed. Being silent wasn't worth the risk just for another airframe.
Last edited by dubd; 04-04-2014 at 02:41 PM.
04-04-2014, 02:30 PM
#67
Erik, I do find it disingenuous that you remained silent until FEJ gave you what you wanted. I too, could have done the same thing, but that also would have meant another modeler losing his plane or a bystander being hurt. As much as some of you rant on about this just being a hobby, it's one that can have serious consequences if someone is hurt or killed. Being silent wasn't worth the risk just for another airframe. You and other FEJ owners were pretty harsh to me during time as well. It must be easier to wipe the egg from your face when FEJ gives you a replacement plane.
I was never harsh with you reference your loss. I was harsh with you when you said my Firebird paint scheme looked cheesy. Please search your memory. I would never have written anything to minimalize or denigrate your loss. You are simply wrong.
As far as being disingenuous, that is your opinion, and you are entitled to it. I'm not sure that immediately reporting my airframe loss, in the middle of an anti FEJ frenzy, would've significantly contributed to the safety of our hobby. If I thought that was the case, I would've been shouting it in every venue available to me.
Respectfully,
Erik
04-04-2014, 09:36 PM
#73
Not saying that this is what happened, but...
Eric, I sounds a lot like you have agreed to help do some damage control. FEJ gives you a new airframe (the only free airframe we have heard of), and you in return document how greatly they have improved. FEJ then makes a lot of effort to produce a one-off kit that actually is somewhat decent. Maybe they get help from someone who actually knows a little about rc aircraft design so that the jet might hold up for a few more flights that normal.
Then they find someone who will do a build thread as well as a flight report. And, if this one-off, specially produced jet does not disintegrate, then they have gained a little bit of trust again.
Again, not saying that your friendship and meetings with them has led to this approach, but reading between the lines, it could be true.
If true, you are doing this hobby a great disfavor. We don't need more FEJ airframes on the market. The prudent thing for you to do is to just build your free jet, fly it and keep as quiet about it as you did with the crashed version. FEJ have had enough chances and opportunities to show an improvement and enough time has passed to find out that they completely disregard their customers. They don't deserve to be in business.
Eric, I sounds a lot like you have agreed to help do some damage control. FEJ gives you a new airframe (the only free airframe we have heard of), and you in return document how greatly they have improved. FEJ then makes a lot of effort to produce a one-off kit that actually is somewhat decent. Maybe they get help from someone who actually knows a little about rc aircraft design so that the jet might hold up for a few more flights that normal.
Then they find someone who will do a build thread as well as a flight report. And, if this one-off, specially produced jet does not disintegrate, then they have gained a little bit of trust again.
Again, not saying that your friendship and meetings with them has led to this approach, but reading between the lines, it could be true.
If true, you are doing this hobby a great disfavor. We don't need more FEJ airframes on the market. The prudent thing for you to do is to just build your free jet, fly it and keep as quiet about it as you did with the crashed version. FEJ have had enough chances and opportunities to show an improvement and enough time has passed to find out that they completely disregard their customers. They don't deserve to be in business.
04-04-2014, 10:10 PM
#74
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This is true... my decision to go with fej was based on this poll... Heck I even started it, should have looked at who posted, but that was the original rcu site not sure if you could view the voters in that old site.
04-04-2014, 10:30 PM
#75
OK people listen up! I have one thing useful to add to this conversation:
When you want to say "YOU ARE," its "YOU'RE". "YOUR" is the possessive case of "YOU", NOT a contraction.
Sorry to pick on Lil Hoss - he's not the only one... GET IT RIGHT!
Y'all (southern contraction for YOU ALL) be careful out there... Watch out for falling FEJ's!
Bob
When you want to say "YOU ARE," its "YOU'RE". "YOUR" is the possessive case of "YOU", NOT a contraction.
Sorry to pick on Lil Hoss - he's not the only one... GET IT RIGHT!
Y'all (southern contraction for YOU ALL) be careful out there... Watch out for falling FEJ's!
Bob
