Blanik update

The worldwide campaign to get the Blanik flying again has been noted by the factory. A few days ago we received an update describing their progress toward developing a suitable means of inspecting the wing spar. Good for them.

Their plan of having an inspection ready for certification by "early 2011" seems to be falling behind, however. This is bad news because even if a factory approved inspection were released today, it would have to be sequentially masticated by two torpid bureaucracies, EASA and FAA, before we could fly. Our chances for this summer are anybody's guess.

As pilots, we can't do too much about the schedule. I can think of only two things.

If your name isn't already on this list:

2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 23, 48, 57, 140, 182, 295, 386, 499, 504, 517, 610, 612, 887, 1280, 1281

then put it there.

The other thing you might consider doing is to write a letter to our pusillanimous, apathetic, hypocritical, useless Blanik dealer and tell him what you think of his level of customer support and how much you are looking forward to doing business with him in the future.

Don't forget to be polite.