Hey everyone. A friend had an Eclipse ordered from Planes Plus. He was told the quality of something(I think the fuse) had been poor and they had returned a number of them. Today he was told they weren't going to sell this plane anymore due to this quality problem.

Am not trying to point fingers at either PP or CA.

Does anyone know the specifics? Am just curious if they will be available anywhere else or if the problem will be corrected.

Thanx in advance

ed

Yep, this is true. I spoke to PP today and they said they sent the batch of damage Eclipses back to CA. Apparently CA did not share the same opinion that there were quality issues with the planes and wanted to ship them back to PP. PP refused and will not be selling any Eclipse.

I have mixed emotions about the whole situation. First I am glad PP stood behind the quality decision. I have heard different stories about what was wrong, but the most consistent story was that the fuses were damaged during shipping - warp-age, cracks, whatever. The bottom line was that I was given the impression that it was truly an issue with the packaging and how it was shipped.

I recall that when this first happened there were several post about issue. I all but decided against getting an Eclipse due to this issue (was it an issue with their epoxy, or was it truly a shipping issue). IMO - this is an unproven kit and a unproven new pattern kit maker. CA has several all wood kits but the Eclipse was their first shot at a glass fuse pattern plane.

Then CA stepped up and responded on RCU that they were going to stand behind the quality so I gave them the benefit of the doubt and got on the waiting list.

Now I believe we will never know what the complete story is or was. I know I do not have enough confidence in CA to spend my $$'s with all these unknowns - unless they can ship it to me to evaluate first.

I believe it is unfortunate for all parties involved. I believe it is damaging to CA to introduce a new pattern plane and have not be able to get them out (I believe there are only a handful of them in the air right now in the States). And it is unfortunate for all of us on the waiting list.

Time to spend some time figuring out what waiting list to get on now.........lesson learned is to have your winter project in your hands by July.

Congrats this weekend, Dave. Man, did you notice the point spread from 7-2 was only 40 points!!!! Any of the slight mistakes that may have happened could have won 2 place and 2 mistakes would have won. That is great competition.

Joe had one ordered also, reason for this post.

He is trying to figure out what route he wants to go also.

Ed

Is this just a temporary situation or is this for good that Don won't be handling the Eclipse? Also is he still going to sell CA's other planes like the Extra's? Don is a stand up guy and he won't fool around with constant quality issues. For that I applaud him. I know that he will be introducing a new pattern ARF soon from a different manufacturer.
Mike

Guys..

I have 1 Fantasy ARC (the AA version of the Eclipse) left if you're interested still.. contact me directly..

[email protected]

hi guys
i have an eclipse from ca model the plane quality is exellent and fly very well ,
iff you want i can send some pictures

marcelo

I have one, flies great look like s---!. Honeycomb paint around canopy dosn't match and a lot of imperfections and blemishes. The canopy installation with 3 screws, a disaster. I had to change it to a quick release type latch. Send email to the maker and ask to buy new top hatch with no respond.

Isaac

Hello everyone,

I was waiting for the plane to available again so I could buy it.
But now I’m totally confused.
And also Mr. mups53 you said that there will be another ARF
pattern plane available at PP……… what is the name of that plane or
the company name.

thanks,

I think that Don is trying to have this airplane imported again after all issues will get resolved, if they can get resolved.
I know that don is in business to sell airplanes, but never that he will sell a product that he will not own himself, and the quality will not be compromise. He will only sell airplanes that deserve his costumers, top quality.

Sorry I don't have very much info on Don's new ARF. Don says it's alot like the Focus and priced similar. Mike