S-TEC 3100 autopilot upgrade redux

[Marauder]

Amelia, thank you for your insight.   I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.  David also shared that story with me and it is sad to learn about the passing of someone so respected and admired.   
Regarding the 3100, I can't speak for the past.  Simply because I was not here, I don't know enough about the history, and there are always multiple sides and perspectives to every story.   And at this point....I am all but guaranteed to step in "it" no matter what I say!
What I will do is pick up the baton and do my best to find a path forward.  My hope is that we find a suitable solution.  
Clear skies and tailwinds to your friend that has passed on.  
Zach

Zach - I was one of the original interested parties. You were left a bag of disappointment to sort through. Barry screwed up the situation and his boss’s failure to respond to numerous attempts to get the situation back on track left a really bad impression of Genesys.

We had 15 people committed but Barry screwed that up. He couldn’t even keep track of what he asked from us and worst yet, who the people who committed were. I think if Genesys wants to get this back on track with the Mooney community, there will need to be a clear commitment on Genesys’s side.

Garmin has already encroached on your installed base and people like me are waiting for my 60-2 to hiccup to create an excuse to drop a GFC 500 in.

Sorry for pounding on the new guy. If Barry or his boss worked for me when I was in sales, they wouldn’t see their next commission check.


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[Marauder]

And just to add to the conversation. I just saw carusoam’s post. He’s right. I am convinced there’s a large installed base of STEC autopilots in Mooney’s.

In one of my conversations with Barry, I asked him if he did any research to find the installation records for Mooney’s. I thought Genesys would have maintained records as part of the STC process of which planes had STEC autopilots installed in. If that wasn’t available, I suggested that he search out the warranty records. Also asked if he approached the authorized STEC avionics shops for customer records and provide them marketing materials to position the 3100 to Mooney customers who they knew had STEC autopilots.

After that conversation, I felt like I had attempted to sell a drowning sailor an anchor.

Good luck…


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[MatthiasArnold]

FYI - pointer to the 3100 discussion thread from year 2019  including some technical information and a PDF listing some features & requirements:

 

[Zach S.]

On 10/1/2021 at 12:05 AM, Marauder said:

Zach - I was one of the original interested parties. You were left a bag of disappointment to sort through. Barry screwed up the situation and his boss’s failure to respond to numerous attempts to get the situation back on track left a really bad impression of Genesys.

We had 15 people committed but Barry screwed that up. He couldn’t even keep track of what he asked from us and worst yet, who the people who committed were. I think if Genesys wants to get this back on track with the Mooney community, there will need to be a clear commitment on Genesys’s side.

Garmin has already encroached on your installed base and people like me are waiting for my 60-2 to hiccup to create an excuse to drop a GFC 500 in.

Sorry for pounding on the new guy. If Barry or his boss worked for me when I was in sales, they wouldn’t see their next commission check.


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I understand where you are coming from.   Seems like it was a pretty frustrating effort all around - for numerous reasons.   I appreciate the information and don't see it as "pounding on the new guy".   My information was posted on this forum after a discussion with MS member and I believe that I need to be a part of the conversation so that information is accurately conveyed and everyone is on the same page.  People are free to share their opinions and thoughts - moderating the conversation is not my place. 

Ultimately, our competitors are going to do what makes business sense to them and customers are going to purchase products that provide them with the functionality that they want at the value that they expect.  

I can only commit to re-examining the business case for our organization.   Ultimately, if sufficient customer interest remains and the project is technically feasible, then we move to the next phase.   Thus far:

• There is customer interest remaining, I've heard from several MS members that have attested to this.   The list is growing, but remains relatively short.  
• There are technical hurdles to overcome:
  • Large variety of Mooney airframes and associated performance characteristics that fall under the M20 series umbrella
  • G1000 interface challenges  

 Not to say that these can't be overcome, but it would be a mistake to pretend that there isn't a sizeable hill to climb.  

Zach

 

 

[Zach S.]

On 10/1/2021 at 6:05 AM, MatthiasArnold said:

FYI - pointer to the 3100 discussion thread from year 2019  including some technical information and a PDF listing some features & requirements:

 

Thank you, I'll read through the previous threads to get some more background.

Zach

[Zach S.]

Update:

I am gathering information on our legacy STC kits for the Mooney M20 series.  This takes some doing, but it will yield some backup data for the Genesys team to consider.

In parallel to that activity, I am asking anyone that is still interested to send me the following information via email:  zach.sands@genesys-aerosystems.com.   If you've already spoken with me and provided this information, there is no need to do it again.  

Yes, I realize that you've been down this path before and I apologize for any duplication of effort.   I am re-building the owner/operator list so that I can accurately gauge interest and evaluate the model breakdown.

Owner Name:

Model:

Serial Number (If willing to share):

Registration Number (If willing to share):

S-TEC system currently installed (if any): 

Primary Avionics System Installed:

Current Level of Interest (i.e. Low, Medium, High):

Comments/Questions/Concerns:

Thank you,

Zach

 

[Zach S.]

I've had a few owners/operators reach out with their information.   Thank you, please keep them coming.

Edited October 11, 2021 by Zach S.

[MatthiasArnold]

Hi Zach,
Any status update on this matter?
Best,
Matthias

[Zach S.]

15 hours ago, MatthiasArnold said:

Hi Zach,
Any status update on this matter?
Best,
Matthias

Hello Matthias, yes we've had some interest in this effort.   To-date, 7 owners/operators including yourself have reached out to me to express their interest in moving this project forward.   4 of those aircraft are G1000 equipped.   The newest contact reached out to me today actually.   Most are saying they have a medium/moderate level of interest.  

Please send others my way and I will gladly add them to the list.   

Thank you,

Zach

 

[Zach S.]

I am re-building the owner/operator list so that I can accurately gauge interest and evaluate the model breakdown.  Please send me the following if you have not already done so.   

Owner Name:

Model:

Serial Number (If willing to share):

Registration Number (If willing to share):

S-TEC system currently installed (if any): 

Primary Avionics System Installed:

Current Level of Interest (i.e. Low, Medium, High):

Comments/Questions/Concerns:

Thank you,

Zach

Zach.Sands@genesys-aerosystems.com