A Marske Two Place Trainer

As a result of the parachute debate and deficiencies in the 2-33, I propose designing and building a new trainer.

This is your chance to get involved!

See our web site for more details:
http://www.continuo.com/marske/index.htm

This glider will be BRS equipped, have excellent visibility, be light weight, offer side by side seating and be easily winch towed.

We will need a lot of financial help with this venture. Our initial plan is to ask for contributions to the design and list the donors on our web site.

The second phase will be to build a 1/4 scale Model and fly it.

The last phase will be to build a prototype.

We are hoping that this new ship will be able to be used as a trainer under the new sport classification from the FAA.

Ideas, money and time are welcome!

Financial contributors of more than $50 to the new Two Place ship will receive a signed three view copy of the design.

Comments please!

Building the prototype is the last phase only in failed programs. I'd suggest a slightly different project sequence:

1. Do the basic design layout, including aircraft performance and cost estimates for all aspects including design, development, testing, and series production. Make sure that the design is conservative enough to accomodate things like span extensions, cockpit expansion, and self-launch options.

2. Listen more than you talk. Do at least two rounds each of surveys and focus groups. Between and after the rounds, do some tweaking to the design in response to the feedback. Do baseline testing of your survey and focus population so that you can show that they are representative of target customers and users.

3. Write a business proposal that uses your design, survey, and focus information to demonstrate the commercial viability of the project. The proposal should show that the benefits outweigh the costs, risks, and liabilities.

4. Shop your business proposal around to likely sources of venture capital. Take Nevil Shute Norway's advice and approach affluent people who have just made a ton of money in speculative ventures such as land development or the pre-crash Internet economy. Also approach rich aircraft enthusiasts who want to be considered 'insiders.'

5. Invest the venture capital that you collect in a mix of CDs and conservative mutual funds. Draw on this capital as needed to support the program.

6. Build no fewer than two prototype aircraft. You'll need the second one in case the first is damaged, and to keep testing under way while one aircraft is being toured, modified, upgraded, or repaired.

7. Conduct a flight test program that validates the aircraft structure, handling, and performance. Even if you're just planning to go for the new Sport category, model the program on FAR part 23/JAR 22 certification standards. Do a simple dirt-mound crash test of the fuselage tub, and a basic whiffle-tree or sandbag static test of the wing structure. You'll need these test results both as a sales tool and to demonstrate due diligence in court.

8. Get video of everything. Your family will want to know where you were for five or eight years.

9. Conduct a nationwide (and perhaps worldwide) tour of the prototype to show it off and demonstrate its fine qualities. Start taking deposits and orders for delivery positions.

10. Establish a worldwide sales and service network. Print T-shirts and ball caps. Have your guys at every major fly-in event. Be agreeable and diplomatic, and be very careful about what you say and especially what you write. Remember that 'it's a small world' is more than just a parade of dancing figurines - it's words to succeed or fail by in aviation.

11. Acquire the real estate, facilities, tooling, materials, and personnel necesary to meet the anticipated and forseeable demand. Take legal precautions to protect them from litigation.

12. Manufacture aircraft at a rate commensurate with anticipated and forseeable demand.

13. Start over at Step 1 for variant aircraft or the new and improved model.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Bob K.