Earthstar Forums

Hi Everybody,

As most of you heard, HKS announced discontinuing the HKS700E and
HKS700T engines due to lack of economic recovery, and a severe
shortage of electric power in Japan because of the Tsunami ,and
shutting down of good nuclear plants out of political fear. This has
been very hard on HKS. Their main business is making aluminum
castings for Toyota and others, and it is severely limiting their production.

However, Mark Beierle told me this weekend that, due to customer
response considering this decision, they are now reconsidering going
back into production. They might even get the HKS800I going and offer
the HKS700E with fuel injection instead of carburetors.

A couple of weeks ago, I already sent HKS an email telling about my
Odyssey building project and how their decision is affecting me and
others around me. The email address is:

aircraft-engine@hks-power.co.jp

You can find this at their web site:

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/hks_aviation/index.html

I encourage everybody to do the same, because the more feedback they
get, the more they will be encouraged. Be polite and complimentary,
and tell them how much you like their engine and how it gives an
efficient smooth solution in a power range where only gus guzzling
(twice the amount), air polluting, stinking 2 stroke engines are
available. Tell them your situation and how their decision affects you.

Thank you.

Regards,
John Fletcher
416-283-3874

Dear HKS,

Genki desu ka? Please do continue making the HKS engines

i was just talking to my father over a walk last night after, and your superlative engines became a part of the story. was wondering about the reason of discontinuation until John's email below; thought HKS may be building an aero steam engine for light aviation :-), last time one was made it made it to the cover of Time magazine in 1933.

Sayonara,
Chou-san
ps:an NEC head of engineering gave me that monicker long ago, old team mates still use it

Good Idea John! Here is a copy of the letter I sent.
Fred

To: Whom it may concern

I just heard the news that HKS corporation has announced that the aviation engines will be discontinued.
This news has hit me hard. I have been saving and dreaming of having your turbo version on my plane.
I know that you are in Japan and perhaps do not have a real feel for the reputation of your aircraft engines here in Canada and the USA.
I am part of the light aircraft community for some years now and I can tell you that I have a very good feel for what is what.
There are a number of small engine manufacturers currently, but there are only two real players. Number one is Rotax and number two right now is HKS!
Why would you cease production now that you have this market share? The sales numbers may not tell you this yet, but I assure you Rotax are VERY concerned about your product and its quick acceptance. I would also say that people here consider your engines more reliable than Rotax now! You have done a tremendous thing for public relations when you said to simply send the whole engine in for a no cost exchange when you had the valve guide problems I believe.
The other thing that makes your engines so desirable over Rotax is Less weight, greater fuel economy and more reliability due to less moving parts.
I urge you in the strongest terms. Do not throw this winner away as you are on the brink of huge returns!
You may not be Coke right now, but you are definitely Pepsi.
If you quite now there is only one choice and that is Rotax.
I am sure that the happiest news Rotax has ever received is that their biggest threat in the aviation engine industry has thrown in the towel.

Sincerely Yours

Fred Gayford

ThunderGull JT2 pilot

Good job. We appreciate the follow up.

Skot

yes, yes, thanks John; aww Fred, ...Coke, Pepsi; now my granny she kept water buffaloes, rich milk; rode one as a kid, memorable ride :-)

Fred,


I have some good news for you. I have a new HKS 700T that can be yours.


Gary

Thanks Gary, I am still a long way off coming up with the money at this point.
Fred