Contact info for Aeromot - Jan 2009

Having said this, I'd like to thank and commend Chuck for his =20
continued attentive and informed service, in his supplying Ximango =20
parts as quickly as possible. I know Ximango/Aeromot will continue to =20=
back him up.

=====================================================

Date:         Thu, 8 Jan 2009 07:53:23 -0500
Reply-To:     "Ximango Owners Group (XOG)" <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       "Ximango Owners Group (XOG)" <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Bruce Schimmel <bruce@SCHIMMEL.COM>
Subject:      contact info for Aeromot/Ximango?
Comments: cc: cviana@aeromot.com.br
In-Reply-To:  <c04.52b4b821.3696a900@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v753.1)
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Dear Claudio (and Chuck, would you pass this along to him),

It's wonderful to hear about your company's exciting plans for new =20
models and new projects in China.

It is wonderful to hear from Ximango/Aeromot  at all.

Please forgive my American frankness. However, from the point of view =20=

of owners, last year's "surprise" AD (where owners had no opportunity =20=

to comment),  and the disappearance of Ximango's service and =20
technical support from the Internet was, yes,  a cause for concern. =20
And so a hearty "thank you" for your renewed commitment.

As a practical matter, to provide owners with authorized technical =20
support and access to parts, may I suggest:

1. please publish - here and on the web - a fax number, phone number =20
and email address of an authorized factory representative. Who should =20=

my mechanic call, and expect to get authoritative guidance

2. please publish (again), on the web, the service bulletins and =20
current operations and technical catalogues

3. please provide a list of suggested vendors for parts that Ximango/=20
Aeromot outsources and may not wish to route through Brazil and/or =20
China.

Having said this, I'd like to thank and commend Chuck for his =20
continued attentive and informed service, in his supplying Ximango =20
parts as quickly as possible. I know Ximango/Aeromot will continue to =20=

back him up.

Finally, I see I am still sending XOG correspondence to you and some =20
other Ximango folks. You previously asked to be put on the listserv, =20
but I don't know if you are receiving this. May I ask you to confirm =20
or supply updated email addresses, should you still which to be on =20
the XOG listserv.

Looking forward to hearing from you (hopefully, directly) soon. (My =20
contact info is below.)

Sincerely, Bruce

Bruce SCHIMMEL
www.schimmel.com
215 923 7978 /  cell: 302 228 8684
220 Locust St, 24e / Phila PA 19106
Philadelphia City Paper http://citypaper.net/canon

On Jan 7, 2009, at 7:55 PM, Chuck Cheeseman wrote:

Owners,

This from Claudio Viana, President of Aeromot:

Chuck Cheeseman, President
Ximango USA

________________________________________________________________________=20=

______
_

DPR-008/09, January 7, 2009

Gents,

I heard that there are  rumors in the Ximango Owners Group that =20
AEROMOT is
going out of business, or is  stopping production of Ximangos, or is =20
being sold
to the Chinese...  I  realize that we are partly responsible for this =20=

untrue
interpretation of what  has really going on, and, as President of =20
AEROMOT,
would like to give you the  facts.

As you probably know, the American dollar has been consistently  =20
devaluating
before other currencies in the last 4 or 5 years. This has been  =20
particularly
true in relation to the Brazilian Real: 3 or 4 years ago we had a  =20
rate of
exchange of 1 US$ =3D 3,80 Reals, and about 1 year ago it was floating =20=

in  the
neighborhood of 1 USD =3D 1,70 Reals. This means that, to get the same =20=

income  in
Reals that we had before, we would have to more than double our =20
prices in US
dollars. And, to make things worse, European manufacturers of engine, =20=

propeller,
  canopy, etc. kept increasing their prices in Euros.

As a result of the  inevitable price increase, we had a worldwide =20
decrease in
demand; Brazilian Real  is one or the currencies that strengthened more
because of a steep growing  economy, very high superavit in foreign =20
commercial
trade, etc.

So, we  started pursuing other market areas, including China. To make =20=

a long
story  short, I went there 3 times, they came to our factory and flew =20=

our
aircraft 4  times, with the result that we finally signed a contract =20
with a major
aircraft  manufacturer in China - they build there 2 models of MIG's, =20=

several
transport  aircraft, and even jet engines!  -   by which a Joint =20
Venture was
established to manufacture the AMT-300 model for the Chinese market =20
and some
surrounding countries exclusively.

The name of the Joint Venture is  Guizhou-GAIC-AEROMOT Aircraft Co. =20
Ltd., the
Chinese partner has 75% of the  shares, and AEROMOT 25% - a minimum
requirement imposed by the Chinese  Government in Joint Ventures =20
considered strategic,
to guarantee a continuous  technical support, as well as possible =20
cooperation
in the development of other  General Aviation aircraft - 4 seater, 6 =20
seater,
etc.

Twenty five Chinese  technicians and engineers have just finished =20
training at
AEROMOT - see attached  photo of a group at the Lamination =20
Department, and we
are finishing manufacture  of moulds and special tools to manufacture =20=

the
AMT-300 there, except for the  metal parts (over 1,000 items), which =20
we'll
continue providing for them. We  expect to start production there in =20
the second
quarter of next year.

The  second area we are exploring is the use of the Ximango as a =20
patrol and
surveillance aircraft; the Brazilian State Polices which are using =20
them found
the Ximango a very good, reliable and efficient aircraft, capable of
accomplishing more than 80% of the missions formerly performed by =20
helicopters -  at
less than one tenth of the cost! The same for protection of =20
environmental
areas, ecological sites, etc.

A natural next step was to install FLIR in  some Ximangos, what led =20
us to
certify with Brazilian FAA, ANAC (which, by the  way, uses the same =20
requirements
as the American FAA), in the Restricted  Category, versions of the =20
AMT-200S
and of AMT-300, called AMT-200S"O" and  AMT-300"O", respectively ("O" =20=

for
Observation), with an increased MTOW of 1,050  kg, an additional =20
electrical system
for the FLIR or other similar sensors  (including a second alternator =20=

and
second battery), and a retraction mechanism  to accommodate in the =20
fuselage the
FLIR head on take-off and landing. A scheme  of the system and a =20
couple of photos
in flight are attached herewith.

As  a natural development of this system, we used a downlink to transmit
images in  real time to ground stations - police usually prefers a =20
mobile one to
move  wherever it is convenient. We used a Mercedes Sprinter van =20
where we
installed a  generator, antenna and 2 stations for observers to =20
accompany the
missions and,  if necessary, instruct the operator on board about =20
sites of
interest. Attaching  also the concept and some pictures of the van.

And last but not least,  this inexpensive but very efficient system =20
caught
the interest of a country in  the Middle East where I have been with =20
our system
engineer 3 times in the last 3  months, and hopefully will sign a =20
contract
very soon for the implementation of a  system as described above, =20
with a very
high degree of sophistication and  powerful equipment, using our =20
wonderful
platform (AMT-200S"O"), Fixed and Mobile  Stations, and FLIR/down-=20
link system of
American origin. Through existing fiber  optics network and then by =20
dedicated
Internet link, the information obtained can  be transmitted in a =20
fraction of
seconds to any place in the world.

Well,  my friends, it took me longer than I wanted - forgive me for =20
your time
and  thanks to all of you for your patience - but I made a point of
clarifying a  matter that went to the wrong direction because of lack =20=

of communication
- our  fault. However, please be assured that we'll correct that by
re-establishing our  website - we neglected that in part because =20
Ximango US, Ximango UK
and other  Distributors around the world had their own very good =20
websites. We
had to devote  all our resources to develop and certify - an =20
expensive and
time-consuming  proposition - new uses for our baby, the Ximango; as =20
you know,
innovation is the  name of the game. Some of our projects are rather =20
classified,
so we cannot talk  much about them, but at the core of each one of =20
them there
is our Ximango as a  wonderful and reliable platform - and the =20
Ximango will
continue to be our baby.  The dollar value is improving, so I feel =20
we'll be
able to offer you through  Ximango US always the best, at reasonable =20
prices. And
please write to me anytime  you feel like doing it - your ideas, =20
suggestions
and complaints will always be  welcome.

And Bruce, don't worry - we'll continue producing, supporting  and =20
improving
the Ximango.

Best regards to all, and HAPPY NEW  YEAR!

Cl=E1udio B. Viana

President -  AEROMOT


**************New year...new news.  Be the first to know what is making
headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=3Demlcntaolcom00000026)
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 8 Jan 2009 08:18:23 -0500
Reply-To:     "Ximango Owners Group (XOG)" <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       "Ximango Owners Group (XOG)" <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Manny Sousa <mannysfl@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: contact info for Aeromot/Ximango?
In-Reply-To:  <9E2B0D7F-FF4D-44D2-A6DB-ADBF30928947@schimmel.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Good on you, Bruce...Manny


-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Schimmel <bruce@SCHIMMEL.COM>
To: XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
Sent: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 7:53 am
Subject: contact info for Aeromot/Ximango?


Dear Claudio (and Chuck, would you pass this along to him),=C2=A0
=C2=A0
It's wonderful to hear about your company's exciting plans for new models an=
d new projects in China.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
It is wonderful to hear from Ximango/Aeromot at all.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Please forgive my American frankness. However, from the point of view of own=
ers, last year's "surprise" AD (where owners had no opportunity to comment),=
 and the disappearance of Ximango's service and technical support from the I=
nternet was, yes, a cause for concern. And so a hearty "thank you" for your=20=
renewed commitment.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
As a practical matter, to provide owners with authorized technical support a=
nd access to parts, may I suggest:=C2=A0
=C2=A0
1. please publish - here and on the web - a fax number, phone number and ema=
il address of an authorized factory representative. Who should my mechanic c=
all, and expect to get authoritative guidance=C2=A0
=C2=A0
2. please publish (again), on the web, the service bulletins and current ope=
rations and technical catalogues=C2=A0
=C2=A0
3. please provide a list of suggested vendors for parts that Ximango/Aeromot=
 outsources and may not wish to route through Brazil and/or China.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Having said this, I'd like to thank and commend Chuck for his continued atte=
ntive and informed service, in his supplying Ximango parts as quickly as pos=
sible
. I know Ximango/Aeromot will continue to back him up.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Finally, I see I am still sending XOG correspondence to you and some other X=
imango folks. You previously asked to be put on the listserv, but I don't kn=
ow if you are receiving this. May I ask you to confirm or supply updated ema=
il addresses, should you still which to be on the XOG listserv.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Looking forward to hearing from you (hopefully, directly) soon. (My contact=20=
info is below.)=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Sincerely, Bruce=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Bruce SCHIMMEL=C2=A0
www.schimmel.com=C2=A0
215 923 7978 / cell: 302 228 8684=C2=A0
220 Locust St, 24e / Phila PA 19106=C2=A0
Philadelphia City Paper http://citypaper.net/canon=C2=A0
=C2=A0
On Jan 7, 2009, at 7:55 PM, Chuck Cheeseman wrote:=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Owners,=C2=A0
=C2=A0
This from Claudio Viana, President of Aeromot:=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Chuck Cheeseman, President=C2=A0
Ximango USA=C2=A0
=C2=A0
____________________________________________________________________________=
__=C2=A0
_=C2=A0
=C2=A0
DPR-008/09, January 7, 2009=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Gents,=C2=A0
=C2=A0
I heard that there are rumors in the Ximango Owners Group that AEROMOT is=
=C2=A0
going out of business, or is stopping production of Ximangos, or is being so=
ld=C2=A0
to the Chinese... I realize that we are partly responsible for this untrue=
=C2=A0
interpretation of what has really going on, and, as President of AEROMOT,=
=C2=A0
would like to give you the facts.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
As you probably know, the American dollar has been consistently devaluating=
=C2=A0
before other currencies in the last 4 or 5 years. This has been part
icularly=C2=A0
true in relation to the Brazilian Real: 3 or 4 years ago we had a rate of=
=C2=A0
exchange of 1 US$ =3D 3,80 Reals, and about 1 year ago it was floating in th=
e=C2=A0
neighborhood of 1 USD =3D 1,70 Reals. This means that, to get the same incom=
e in=C2=A0
Reals that we had before, we would have to more than double our prices in US=
=C2=A0
dollars. And, to make things worse, European manufacturers of engine, propel=
ler,=C2=A0
=C2=A0canopy, etc. kept increasing their prices in Euros.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
As a result of the inevitable price increase, we had a worldwide decrease in=
=C2=A0
demand; Brazilian Real is one or the currencies that strengthened more=C2=
=A0
because of a steep growing economy, very high superavit in foreign commercia=
l=C2=A0
trade, etc.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
So, we started pursuing other market areas, including China. To make a long=
=C2=A0
story short, I went there 3 times, they came to our factory and flew our=C2=
=A0
aircraft 4 times, with the result that we finally signed a contract with a m=
ajor=C2=A0
aircraft manufacturer in China - they build there 2 models of MIG's, several=
=C2=A0
transport aircraft, and even jet engines! - by which a Joint Venture was=C2=
=A0
established to manufacture the AMT-300 model for the Chinese market and some=
=C2=A0
surrounding countries exclusively.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
The name of the Joint Venture is Guizhou-GAIC-AEROMOT Aircraft Co. Ltd., the=
=C2=A0
Chinese partner has 75% of the shares, and AEROMOT 25% - a minimum=C2=A0
requirement imposed by the Chinese Government in Joint Ventures considered s=
trat
egic,=C2=A0
to guarantee a continuous technical support, as well as possible cooperation=
=C2=A0
in the development of other General Aviation aircraft - 4 seater, 6 seater,=
=C2=A0
etc.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Twenty five Chinese technicians and engineers have just finished training at=
=C2=A0
AEROMOT - see attached photo of a group at the Lamination Department, and we=
=C2=A0
are finishing manufacture of moulds and special tools to manufacture the=C2=
=A0
AMT-300 there, except for the metal parts (over 1,000 items), which we'll=
=C2=A0
continue providing for them. We expect to start production there in the seco=
nd=C2=A0
quarter of next year.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
The second area we are exploring is the use of the Ximango as a patrol and=
=C2=A0
surveillance aircraft; the Brazilian State Polices which are using them foun=
d=C2=A0
the Ximango a very good, reliable and efficient aircraft, capable of=C2=A0
accomplishing more than 80% of the missions formerly performed by helicopter=
s - at=C2=A0
less than one tenth of the cost! The same for protection of environmental=
=C2=A0
areas, ecological sites, etc.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
A natural next step was to install FLIR in some Ximangos, what led us to=C2=
=A0
certify with Brazilian FAA, ANAC (which, by the way, uses the same requireme=
nts=C2=A0
as the American FAA), in the Restricted Category, versions of the AMT-200S=
=C2=A0
and of AMT-300, called AMT-200S"O" and AMT-300"O", respectively ("O" for=C2=
=A0
Observation), with an increased MTOW of 1,050 kg, an additional electrical s=
ystem=C2=A0
for the FLIR or other similar sensors (including a second alternator and
=C2=A0
second battery), and a retraction mechanism to accommodate in the fuselage t=
he=C2=A0
FLIR head on take-off and landing. A scheme of the system and a couple of ph=
otos=C2=A0
in flight are attached herewith.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
As a natural development of this system, we used a downlink to transmit=C2=
=A0
images in real time to ground stations - police usually prefers a mobile one=
 to=C2=A0
move wherever it is convenient. We used a Mercedes Sprinter van where we=C2=
=A0
installed a generator, antenna and 2 stations for observers to accompany the=
=C2=A0
missions and, if necessary, instruct the operator on board about sites of=
=C2=A0
interest. Attaching also the concept and some pictures of the van.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
And last but not least, this inexpensive but very efficient system caught=
=C2=A0
the interest of a country in the Middle East where I have been with our syst=
em=C2=A0
engineer 3 times in the last 3 months, and hopefully will sign a contract=
=C2=A0
very soon for the implementation of a system as described above, with a very=
=C2=A0
high degree of sophistication and powerful equipment, using our wonderful=
=C2=A0
platform (AMT-200S"O"), Fixed and Mobile Stations, and FLIR/down-link system=
 of=C2=A0
American origin. Through existing fiber optics network and then by dedicated=
=C2=A0
Internet link, the information obtained can be transmitted in a fraction of=
=C2=A0
seconds to any place in the world.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Well, my friends, it took me longer than I wanted - forgive me for your time=
=C2=A0
and thanks to all of you for your patience - but I m
ade a point of=C2=A0
clarifying a matter that went to the wrong direction because of lack of comm=
unication=C2=A0
- our fault. However, please be assured that we'll correct that by=C2=A0
re-establishing our website - we neglected that in part because Ximango US,=20=
Ximango UK=C2=A0
and other Distributors around the world had their own very good websites. We=
=C2=A0
had to devote all our resources to develop and certify - an expensive and=
=C2=A0
time-consuming proposition - new uses for our baby, the Ximango; as you know=
,=C2=A0
innovation is the name of the game. Some of our projects are rather classifi=
ed,=C2=A0
so we cannot talk much about them, but at the core of each one of them there=
=C2=A0
is our Ximango as a wonderful and reliable platform - and the Ximango will=
=C2=A0
continue to be our baby. The dollar value is improving, so I feel we'll be=
=C2=A0
able to offer you through Ximango US always the best, at reasonable prices.=20=
And=C2=A0
please write to me anytime you feel like doing it - your ideas, suggestions=
=C2=A0
and complaints will always be welcome.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
And Bruce, don't worry - we'll continue producing, supporting and improving=
=C2=A0
the Ximango.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Best regards to all, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Cl=C3=A1udio B. Viana=C2=A0
=C2=A0
President - AEROMOT=C2=A0
=C2=A0
**************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making=C2=
=A0
headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=3Demlcntaolcom00000026)=C2=A0
=========================================================================
Date:         Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:05:26 -0500
Reply-To:     "Ximango Owners Group (XOG)" <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       "Ximango Owners Group (XOG)" <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Ron Snedecor <RMSNEDECOR@CS.COM>
Subject:      Re: contact info for Aeromot/Ximango?
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I would just like to support Bruce's comments.  It's heartening to hear t=
hat Aeromot still exists and that they have plans for the future.  Please=
 keep us updated.  I would especially like to support his suggestions to =
publish points of contact with Aeromot (particularly repair guidance), re=
turn service bulletins, current ops, and technical data to an Aeromot web=
site and provide a list of suggested vendors for parts.=20=20

Ron Snedecor
824PS  AMT-300
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:14:20 EST
Reply-To:     "Ximango Owners Group (XOG)" <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       "Ximango Owners Group (XOG)" <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Chuck Cheeseman <XimangoUSA@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: contact info for Aeromot/Ximango?
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Ron,
 
Ximango USA is your first source for all of that - we try to keep up with 
what is happening at the factory and also to factor in our operating experience 
here in the USA.
 
We are working on the (English) Service Bulletin issue with the factory and 
will have an answer for the Owners soon.  The vendors question will be 
addressed on a new feature of the XimangoUSA website, called the "Owner's  Page."
 
PS - your pressure relief valve for SN 115 has shipped and should be at the 
FBO's shop at Payson.  Invoice to follow.
 
Regards,
 
Chuck
 
 
In a message dated 1/10/2009 10:06:06 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
RMSNEDECOR@CS.COM writes:

I would  just like to support Bruce's comments.  It's heartening to hear that
 Aeromot still exists and that they have plans for the future.  Please  keep
us updated.  I would especially like to support his suggestions to  publish
points of contact with Aeromot (particularly repair guidance), return  service
bulletins, current ops, and technical data to an Aeromot website and  provide a
list of suggested vendors for parts. 

Ron  Snedecor
824PS  AMT-300

**************New year...new news.  Be the first to know what is making
headlines. (http://news.aol.com?ncid=emlcntusnews00000002)
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:33:17 -0500
Reply-To:     "Ximango Owners Group (XOG)" <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       "Ximango Owners Group (XOG)" <XIMANGO@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Ron Snedecor <RMSNEDECOR@CS.COM>
Subject:      Re: contact info for Aeromot/Ximango?
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Chuck,

Thank you for your reply.  I'm very much looking forward to bringing back=
 the link for Ximango service bulletins and your owners page sounds great=
.  I have received the pressure relief valve.  If you haven't sent the in=
voice yet would you please send it to:

521 West Ninth Street
Upland, CA  91786

Thank you,
Ron Snedecor
AMT-300 #115