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"First Come! — First Served!"
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"First Come! — First Served!" 2024 Copyright by Kolibri. All Rights Reserved. On a small deserted Pacific island languished about forty men from an Oregon ship lost at sea. They had floated in by groups, some as long as seven weeks ago, and others just last week. One of the men was the ship's XO, who was well versed in the ineptitude of the Captain, who caused his ship's sinking. (The Captain, rescued by another boat, answered radio calls to his vessel, denying that his own ship had sunk while claiming that his arrival had only been delayed due to illness and COVID supply chain disruptions.) The stranded men had enough island materials to build a raft, but for just one person. Who should venture out and try to be saved? The XO chose to remain behind to better help the others. So, they chose Ergu, the strongest swimmer since he was the newest strandee from last week and thus still the most fit. Ergu hadn't the knowledge of raft-building or the ocean currents or where the shipping lanes were. He hadn't even a compass, but Ergu was the strongest swimmer of them all. The single-place raft was built and Ergu was taught much by the others, especially by the XO who spent many patient hours in tutoring. Ergu was well supplied with compass, signal mirror, water, rations, and material for shade. The other men had been collecting such things for a long time, and gladly donated it to their common cause for once Ergu was rescued he'd return for them. Ergu was pushed out to sea by the group on their well-provisioned raft they had built for him, and he paddled hard for the shipping lanes. It took effort, but without drama or danger, about two weeks later Ergu was spotted by a cargo ship, and rescued in the same good health he'd cast out to sea. His raft and tutoring had well served him. No more island for Ergu! Wanting to be returned to civilization (and home) as soon as possible, Ergu decided to keep quiet about the stranded men because he knew the cargo ship captain (if informed) would turn course and sail there. Ergu could not brook those several weeks of delay to his return home, so he said nothing. He rejected any moral obligation to help his island mates...even though they had built him their raft and saved his life. "They made it this long, so they can hold out until somebody else finds them! I did all the ocean paddling, and I got myself rescued, so it's first come—first served!" The cargo ship docked at its familiar port, and Ergu moved to quietly slink away despite a growing stream of the curious. Nobody had ever been rescued at sea before, and people wondered what ship he was from. Ergu remained vague as he tried to flee the dock and jump in a waiting Uber. The cargo ship crane began lowering his wooden raft, which captured attention of the crowd. As they clamored around to grasp the raft overhead and guide it down, Ergu tried to shoo them off with "Back away—I've got this!" Noticed by all, including Ergu for the first time, were some words carved in a raft plank on the bottom. The raft was gently placed on the dock, and then turned upside down by the crowd for eager inspection. (What was so oddly written on the bottom?) Carefully and very legibly carved in the wood by the XO's worn hand were the names and sailing dates of all the men stranded off the sunk Oregon ship, the approximate coordinates of the small unknown island, and the date they launched Ergu out to sea for what they'd trusted would be their own rescue because of his. Many of the stranded men were known by the crowd, but not known to be lost at sea because of their Captain's fictitious "We're only delayed!" story continually broadcast over the radio. At once, a plane was dispatched to drop supplies to the betrayed men on the desolate island, and a message telling them that their plight was now known at last—their rescue currently under way. Ergu did manage to slip away and catch his Uber in the confusion, and thought it wise to not return to that Port. Some forty rescued men would soon be arriving, their faces he could not bear to see after they'd learned he had placed himself over those who had who sacrificed to save him. He could easily imagine the harangue of the XO: "First come—first served, eh?" As the Scripture sayeth, "So the last shall be first, and the first, last." It occurred to Ergu much later that some wins are actually losses. One can betray his brothers for his own rescue, but what traitor was ever worthy of rescue at all? To come in "first" by betrayal is to assure finishing in last place. Integrity is loyalty to those not present. Ergu had weeks on the raft to embed that moral deeply within his soul, but the sentiment evaporated once aboard the cargo ship and savoring his first hot meal. Now, it was too late. The hidden message on the raft was out. The island men were soon to be rescued. Honor is surrounded by rocky shoals, nearly impossible to scale once slipped off. Ergu would have many years to ponder that, while he missed the scruffy camaraderie of those forgotten souls, who once considered him their brother and waved "Good sailing! Godspeed!" as he set forth on the life raft they'd built just for him. They threw all their coins in one fountain, but the fountain would fail them. "Remember us!" they had implored as the salt water first lapped over the crude planks while he took his place aboard. He would indeed remember them, although against his will and at the most inconvenient times. The forgotten and stranded and exploited can be stubborn that way. |
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| Fri Apr 05, 2024 2:35 am |
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The first refund of an M2 deposit that I've ever heard of was paid this week to a May 2023 Montana customer. He received his US$60,000 back only after vigorously pursuing the matter through the Montana and Oregon Consumer Protection agencies of the respective state Departments of Justice, as well as the Better Business Bureau.
Below is a screenshot of his withdrawn complaint in Oregon, due to SC's eventual payment. You can confirm such for yourself at https://justice.oregon.gov/consumerssearch/ (search for Sport Copter in Scappoose with ZIP code 97056). SC is allegedly now flush with new funds, so now would be a good time to press JV for any desired refund of your M2 deposit. I am owed an engine-less M2 (or the value thereof) since at least 2021 (if not 2020), but I will wait my turn until previous depositors have been paid. I wish us all Good Luck! You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post. _________________ Famous-Infamous for speaking the truth on "the other forum" from 2014-2019. |
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| Sat Apr 06, 2024 10:21 am |
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The above Montana customer had filed the below complaint about Sport Copter with the Better Business Bureau in March 2024.
https://www.bbb.org/us/or/scappoose/profile/helicopter/sport-international-1296-75000037/complaints You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post. _________________ Famous-Infamous for speaking the truth on "the other forum" from 2014-2019. |
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| Thu Apr 18, 2024 4:12 pm |
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 Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:30 pm Posts: 1232 Location: UP A GUMTREE Has thanked: 1904 times Been thanked: 1644 times
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SO GLAD the Montana Eric - got his refund ...Smart guy, KNOWS how to pull out the big guns
  to make "TROS"  !!Too bad poor Bill Totten - long time local chapter member - IS STILL WAITING for HIS refund - after he forked out for a Magni - to have something to fly before he got too old! ......w-a-i-t-i-n-g!!!   The poor Aussies & Kiwis - just get  !  _________________  |
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| Wed May 15, 2024 7:40 pm |
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I've heard of a few SC customers waiting years for their gyro who died before ever taking delivery.
I'm glad that Bill Totten bought a Magni to enjoy some gyro flying in his emeritus years. I hope he gets his $60,000 M2 refund, which was deserved long before the 2023 Montana customer's. IMO, Bill has been too nice to JV about this, and should have played hardball last year. Let's recap briefly those who are unfulfilled:
New Zealand SC distributor...skinned out of his M2 and $100,000. Over a dozen Kiwi and Aussie deposit customers...skinned out of their M2s and on average $50,000+. Former SC COO...skinned out of his M2 and $100,000+ work compensation. PRA Chapter 73 President...skinned out of his M2 and $60,000. So, who is the first person getting an M2, ever? Steve Wolfe, an Ohio M912 owner and friend of JV, who plunked down his deposit in only November 2020. https://www.rotaryforum.com/threads/spo ... st-1202842 To hell with, apparently, those in business with/for SC, or M2 customers from 2017-2019. _________________ Famous-Infamous for speaking the truth on "the other forum" from 2014-2019. |
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| Fri May 17, 2024 1:17 pm |
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Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:30 pm Posts: 1232 Location: UP A GUMTREE Has thanked: 1904 times Been thanked: 1644 times
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Steve Wolf I think is a "temporary "friend- of "TROS" - playing suck-up ...and standing over TROS - camped out for weeks there, every day HOUNDING & whip-cracking!
 To get his build done!Either way - it iS VERY SKETCHY FORM to jump some-one ahead of the other long-time depositors! I hope the others start making legal noises! _________________ |
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| Mon May 20, 2024 3:07 pm |
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From what I hear, one reason for Wolfe's build is to fly at upcoming gyro events as proof of M2 "production" to garner new deposit orders for SC. "One robin does not make a Spring."
The added weight and thrust of the Viking 195 with its thrustline offset will manifest in many teething issues to sort out. The torque roll tendency should be significant, and much more pronounced that the Rotax 915 gyros. I hope Wolfe racks up many solo hours in it before he takes on passengers, as his machine will be a handful. MOSAIC will not likely save the estimated 930 lb M2-195 from busting 1320 lb LSA with an adult pax and fuel. Apparently, the ASTM horsepower:weight formula will remain. _________________ Famous-Infamous for speaking the truth on "the other forum" from 2014-2019. |
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| Thu May 23, 2024 1:14 pm |
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The ASTM formula only applies to aircraft certified under S-LSA standards, but since JV has continuously said that he plans to certify a light sport M2, the issue is still relevant.
ASTM max empty weight formula is 1320 lb - (number of seats x 190 lb) - (maximum continuous hp / 2). The Rotax 915 M2 prototype weighed in at 875 lb empty (not the website's 830). Applying the ASTM formula: 1320 - (190 x 2) - (141 / 2) gives a max empty weight of 869.5 lb. Thus, 5.5 lb overweight per ASTM. Useful load is just 455 lbs, which is two FAA 190 lb occupants and 12.5 gal of fuel. Add 55 lbs for the Viking 195 for a new empty weight of 930 lbs. Applying the ASTM formula: 1320 - (190 x 2) - (195 / 2) gives a max empty weight of 842.5 lb. 87.5 lb overweight per ASTM. Unless Steve Wolfe is Private-Gyro rated and his M2-195 classified as a Private-class gyro, his estimated useful load is now only 390 lb, which is two FAA 190 lb occupants and 1.7 gal of fuel. I pointed this out to JV in 2020-2021 when we were looking for more power than the Rotax 915, but he waved off such concern with his belief that the coming LSA rule changes (now known as MOSAIC) would solve everything. I replied that such changes were years hence, and "The M2 when carrying an adult passenger has now weight busted out of the Sport-Gyro market. M2 owners would need to become Private-Gyro rated, and there aren't enough gyro DPEs for that." JV remained outwardly oblivious that the heavy M2 could not be flown by 98% of USA gyro pilots (who are not Private rated) when taking on a pax and x/c fuel. It was about then that I began to develop deep concerns for the project, especially when JV began to experiment with the embarrassing "Wing Step" canard as a Band-Aid for the nose-down moment at speed when 2-up. _________________ Famous-Infamous for speaking the truth on "the other forum" from 2014-2019. |
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| Fri May 24, 2024 1:50 pm |
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