Trusted vendors
Safety-Trim Intelligent Servo Controller, TCW Tech
http://www.tcwtech.com/Safety-Trim-Page.htm
Glasair Aviation USA, LLC
http://www.glasairaviation.com
Friendly - knowledgeable - dedicated: three characteristics that describe the folks at Glasair Aviation.
When I flew my GlaStar to Glasair one day with a question about locating the cage number on my aircraft, I was invited to speak with Pat, who was the technician that welded the cage for my GlaStar years ago. Without a moment’s hesitation he walked out to my ‘Star and pointed out its cage number, then took time to answer my many questions about the evolution of the GlaStar cage. Pat’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the brand is typical of what I’ve experienced with everyone I’ve met at Glasair Aviation.
Zach Chase, FiberTech Composites, Inc.
http://www.fibertechcomposites.com
Zach Chase offered invaluable builder assistance to Dennis Douglas in the completion of N9103D. Zach’s unmatched quality workmanship greatly reduced the overall build time, helping Dennis get into the air sooner and with a better airplane. Years later, Zach continues to contribute to 03D’s well-being by providing thoughtful answers to my many questions.
Bill Morelli, Up North Aviation
http://www.upnorthaviation.com
When I bought N9103D in 2011, its flighty Blue Mountain glass panel was its only weakness. After two years of plight-in-flight intermittent operation of the digital equipment, it was time to bury the Blue Mountain and install reliable analog gauges. Thus began my Internet search for a panel maker who could transform my design ideas into reality. After interviewing several panel fabricators, it was clear that Bill Morelli of Up North Aviation was best equipped to meet my needs—and for a reasonable price.
As the project progressed, Bill was forthcoming with suggestions for design improvements and was patient with my seemingly never-ending refinements. He worked hard to achieve a close fit between instruments and panel by trial-and-error tweaking of compound curves. Proof of Bill's expertise was evident when the instruments fit perfectly into the new panel. I am delighted with the quality and value of Bill Morelli's work, and recommend him to others without reservation.
Scott Smith, SkySmith Insurance
http://skysmith.com
In 2004 the annual insurance premium for my Navion was $3,500, which was the cost of admission to aircraft ownership in those days. But thanks to Scott Smith’s assistance and a new aircraft, annual premiums are well below $1,100/year.
Stein Bruch, SteinAir, Inc.
http://www.steinair.com
In April 2013 I looked to Stein Bruch to provide me with parts and tools for installing a new instrument panel in N9103D. Over several telephone conversations, including a call on a beautiful Saturday morning when Stein should have been out flying instead of answering arcane questions about avionics, he provided me with technical advice that was instrumental in installation of my panel.
Aero Sport Power
http://www.aerosportpower.com
Johnson Propeller Service
https://jhonsonpropeller.com
In 2007 the prop on my vintage Navion needed an overhaul, so I took it to Johnson & Sons Propeller in Shafter, CA. That’s when Cliff Johnson Sr., informed me that the prop's beautifully polished blades would have to go, because in AC 20-37E the FAA says that the polishing of blades is “almost always not acceptable.”
I need not have worried. When the overhaul was finished, the newly painted black blades with yellow tips looked smashing, and contrasted nicely with the Navion’s polished aluminum skin. Cliff did a superb job overhauling the prop, and for a more-than-fair price.
Resources
Primer for the LASAR electronic ignition system
http://www.aviationpros.com/article/10389154/primer-for-the-lasar-electronic-ignition-system
Advisory publications for the GlaStar and Sportsman aircraft
http://glasairaviation.com/sportsmanadvisories.html
Glastar & Sportsman Association Flyer Index (1994 to present)
http://www.glastarnet.org/index.php?pid=177
The Safety of Experimental Amateur-Built Aircraft
General Aviation Safety: Safety Study on Experimental Amateur-Built Aircraft
HomeBuiltAirplanes.com
http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/
Glass Panel Upkeep
http://www.avweb.com/news/features/Glass-Panel-Upkeep220678-1.html