Earthstar Forums

Hi Mark,


I watched your flights at OSH 2013 with amazement. I am finishing up a current project (5th homebuilt plane) and definitely plan on starting on an electric powered flying machine this summer. For obvious reasons, principally your experience and success with electrics, I plan on building a Gull. I have many questions of which I don't find answers on the Yahoo Group or your website so I thought I'd ask them all at once and try and not waste your valuable time. No doubt there are other inquiring minds with the same curiosities. So, here goes.


-How does one order a Gull kit? I see your website which doesn't address cost or shipping and it references me to the DCC Corporation. What is the relationship between the two companies?


-Is there an off the shelf electrical "firewall aft" kit? Will there be? Engine mount? Might it include compatible batteries, motor controller, wiring, instruments... what is the plan? Will we be ordering Zero Motorcycle parts through you? What do you foresee? I sure would like to have one source, and an educated source at that.


-What is the latest in batteries? I was slightly disappointed when Martin K. said that the batteries were backordered almost a year. Sounds like that may be fixed? I read elsewhere that the cost of batteries has taken a drastic drop in costs; true?


-Where do you stand ref. the letter on Rainbow Aviation's website from the FAA stating that the weight of the batteries should be included in the empty weight of the airplane?? Of course that would be a killer when it comes to the 254 lb. max weight for an ultralight, I would think? Any movement on making electric power legal in LSAs?-


-What will we see at OSH 2014?? New and improved?


Thanks in advance,
Kevin

Hi Kevin
The battery's are removable, so it is not required to include there weight in the empty weight.
Call me at 805 438 5235
Happy Flying
Mark Beierle

Thanks Mark, I will call you tomorrow.
Kevin

Kevin,

Did you get any details on kit cost, crating and shipping? It would be nice to have the info on the website.


Thanks,
Clay Stuart

Hi Clay and others,


I did contact Mark as he suggested.


First of all Mark was very easy to talk to and even answered the phone. Of course he is a wealth of information if one knows what to ask.


Mark suggested that I order what turned out to be the Earthstar info pack and DVD for $20. In the end that was a wealth of information. I did not previously know that such a packet existed. It is not advertised on their website. The info pack has one sheet in particular that tells what most of us want to know to include all the costs and options available. I had not seen this anywhere else.


The Earthstar website is antiquated and grossly needs updating. The entire price lists and options available should be on the website as well as some updated pics. That is just how we shop and dream these days and make decisions. I still don't know the relationship between Mark in California and DCC Corporation in New Jersey but it apparently isn't too important as the kits can be ordered via phone through Mark.


Martin's recent post as to the costs of an EGull seem just about right, somewhere between $32 and $40K depending on the options. That would be around $16K for the airframe and $16K for the engine package to include the batteries of course. Mark did say that in the future firewall aft electric kits will be made available. Apparently in the near future Zero Motorcycle's batteries and motors will be readily available. He also said that he or his folks do most of the shipping. I live in Texas and he said he would deliver to here. I have though recently had airplanes delivered here by a company named Partain Trading Company that exclusively moves airplanes and they too would do it at a fair price, probably @ $1000 from CA to TX. I didn't ask what Mark's cost would be but I am sure he would be reasonable.


I want an Egull and will likely eventually acquire one either building one from a kit or having Mark and company fabricate it for me. My gut feeling is that Earthstar has a lot more potential than is currently being portrayed via their website. For some reason they seem to be operating quietly below the radar and are comfortable there.


Best Wishes,
Kevin

Thanks, Kevin. I found the DVD to be an eye-opener; the clips of barrel
rolls, short take-offs and landings, and even using a Gull like a go-cart
in the snow (no traction problems!) gave me a lot more confidence that Mark
knows what he is doing. The website is in sorry shape, for sure, but that
worked in my favor, not having to compete with a bunch of impulse-buyers
for a place in the queue. But what clinched it for me was a visit to the
Earthstar factory, on a hilltop above Santa Margarita. At the end of a dirt
road, very basic, no fancy (expensive) machine tools, and a very small
crew. I got a ride in Mark's Odyssey, and test-sat a customer's Gull2000.
And Mark is a really friendly, open and down-to-earth (no pun!) guy, with a
passion to help people have fun flying, not maximize his profits.

As far as I know, Mark tried to increase production a while back by
partnering with an Israeli company, but due to unrealistic expectations /
lack of aviation know-how, and poor timing, the deal never materialized.

Ref. the video I was most impressed with the ground handling and the way the entire machine handled the worst of the uneven and bumpy terrain with no issues at all. The bouncing around and overall ground handling spoke volumes for the robust design. Also of course the mild aerobatics spoke well for the engineering of the rest of the airframe as well..


Mark also invited me for a visit to see the factory and take a test ride in the Odyssey. I too feel that he genuinely wants to provide a flying machine in which the guy on the street can fly safely for fun, and has.


I wonder how many machines he is producing?? I can't get a feel for how big an operation this is.


Kevin

Kevin -
I see you are from Texas, what town? I am from Gainesville, about an hour N of Dallas...


Bruce

Bruce,


I live on Pecan Plantation Airpark 12 miles south of Granbury and about 45 minutes south of Ft. Worth. Do you now have a Gull?


Kevin

Sadly, no Gull. I have a C-172 to keep me current and in the air, am learning how to fly a Powered Paraglider, but am working on a back burner E-gull project. Keep getting sidetracked with honey-dos, work projects, or running out of money. I have spent a lot of time hanging out with Mark, and am convinced that it’s the best thing going for E-flight conversion…



If you are ever up this way give me a call, can go bop around in the Cessna, eat lunch, and talk Gulls…



Regards

Bruce Markle

(9740) 612-3030