Right to Repair - MT Props and L3 Stormscopes

[Aerodon]

'Right to Repair' is becoming an issue in Europe legislation and it is something we should start to support for our own benefit.  For example I have a Miele dishwasher, there is one central parts supplier and I can get a parts catalog and replacement parts at very reasonable prices (<$100 for a drain pump).  And they guarantee parts for 10 years after production stops.  In comparison my Samsung dryer made in China needs a new control board for $450 and a new machine is $850.  And I can't find a parts list that will be in line with my serial number.

L3 sold their stormscope line to Extant (short for Exorbitant) and flat repair has gone from $400 to $6000, and a new processor is now $19,000.

MT are not known for addressing quality issues very well, also they have mandatory 7 year overhaul period vs the other brands 10 year requirement in Canada because of the way their overhaul manuals are written.  I now know of two different MT prop strikes where the owners are being told it will cost more to overhaul with new blades than a new prop will (without even looking at the hub).  You'd think they would be able to look at the hub and determine if there are any reusable components before coming to that determination.  Maybe I'm being optimistic, any prop strike with any manufacturer is a write off?

Another 'pet hate - stay away from' supplier is Kannad.  Nice little ELT brick, known for failing the 'maximum current' test at recertification.  You'd think they would come up with a reasonable flat rate repair (even if it means replacing the whole board), or 'exchange deal' to deal with their inadequate design.  But no, a repair will probable cost as much as a new one.

I'm OK with flat rate repairs, but  they should be somewhere in line with the cost of the components and effort to repair.

 

Aerodon