"Jim Logajan" wrote in message
.. .
"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net wrote:
Jim Logajan wrote:
Denny wrote:
The best way to bring in the new pilots, etc., is to have an LSA,
certified and ready to go, for $45K out the door... At that price
break there will be a fresh market...

Technically, LSA can include the heavier powered parachutes and you
can already buy them "ready-to-fly" for under US$45k:
http://www.steelbreeze.ca/pricing_CDN.htm

But no doubt you mean traditional fixed-wing aircraft - which gets
tougher. Here are a couple of the lowest cost ready-to-fly models I
know of at US $65k:
http://www.skykits.com/KitsandpricingUS.060107.htm
(Main web page http://www.skykits.com/ )


I does reduce the cost when you steal the design.

You're right - except for the different wings (the Savannah has 3
variations available and the wing is longer than the 701), different
fuselage (the Savannah cabin is slightly larger, skins are corrugated, and
the two planes have different lengths and heights), and different
empennage
(Savannah has a conventional horizontal stabilizer and conventional
2-piece
vertical tail while the 701 has an inverted horizontal stabilizer and a
single piece full-flying vertical tail/rudder), they are EXACTLY THE SAME!

Seriously though - which parts are you saying they stole? The high-wing
STOL concept itself? Use of pulled rivets? Or the ugly boxy shape?

Here is my understanding:
A South American country (Columbia?) wanted to buy completed 701s to use as
military trainers. Heintz didn't want the headache of building the planes
and exporting. Heintz licensed the design to a company in that Country, but
forgot to limit the terms of the license. Basically, Heintz screwed up big
time by not limiting the terms of the license, or prohibiting its resale.
The license changed hands several times, and finally ended up with ICP.
After evaluating the design, ICP decided they could do better, and designed
the Savannah. Comparing the 701 to the Savannah is a lot like comparing the
Ford Model T to the Ford Model A.