Jeremy
The PFA seems to be in very capable hands!
I don't suffer from insomnia so I will pass on your very kind offer.
Regards
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeremy Davey" <europaflyer_3@msn.com>
Sent: 08 February 2006 15:36
Subject: RE: Europa-List: John Tempest leaving the PFA
>
> Steve,
>
> You raise an interesting point asking if we're having staff retention
> problems, and yes, the same thought occurred to me.
>
> Now, I'm willing to be shot down in flames if I'm proved wrong, but I
don't
> think we do. JT stuck around for 10 years, and is leaving for good career
> reasons (DHSL have been trying to drag him away for a year, and it had
> reached the "shit or get off the pot" stage). Andrew Moore (IMHO) wasn't
> really an ideal fit to the PFA needs as it turned out, and made a
lifestyle
> decision to go to Australia (a bit drastic if all he wanted to do was
escape
> the PFA!). The third missing head is a new post.
>
> So no, I don't think it's about retention issues, it's just unfortunate
that
> we lose the HoE and a good engineer at the same time as we're trying to
> recruit a new one.
>
> As for recruitment problems - we've had lots of candidates for all roles
of
> all levels of suitability, but I'm sure you'll not have a problem with the
> team doing the selection being very fussy. Other alternatives to help us
> cope with the ever changing workload are under consideration too, and I
> think that's a good thing - I'm just sorry I can't tell you about them at
> the present time. Bear in mind we also have to plan for the impending
advent
> of EASA in our world over the next 3 years or so - and when implemented
the
> regulatory landscape looks like it will be very different. That's all I'll
> say on that subject unless you advise me you are suffering from insomnia,
in
> which case I'll send you the relevant consultation documents to read :-)
>
> Thanks for the feedback on the glider wings - I have to be careful as I
> can't let me personal wishes interfere!
>
> Regards,
> Jeremy
>
> Jeremy Davey
> Europa Monowheel 537M G-EZZA
> Europa Club Vice-Chairman, Webmaster, PFA NC Representative
> PFA EC Member
> "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it
is
> possible you haven't grasped the severity of the situation."
> Tail done
> Standard XS wings with mods underway
> CM installed in fuse (with airbrakes fittings)
> 1430 build hours to date, build currently stalled due to house moves and
> lack of workshop
> Intended fit:
> Rotax 914 turbo, Airmaster CS fully-feathering prop
> Lots of lights, buttons, switches, gizmos, and alarms
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
> [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Steven Pitt
> Sent: 08 February 2006 14:01
> To: europa-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Re: Europa-List: John Tempest leaving the PFA
>
> --> <steven.pitt2@ntlworld.com>
>
> Jeremy
> Well put - without being too biased, I would put the glider wings well up
> the pecking order as surely this is to get existing designs flying. The
> glider wings have been in the offing for years, surely longer than the Mk?
> Spitfire (as wonderful a plane as that seems to be).
> I appreciate that if the cake is small it becomes more difficult to cut it
> to everyones benefit. I am working on a School Budget at present with
> falling numbers of pupils and potential redundancies!
> The shame with the PFA is that the organisation seems to be having
> recruitment/retention problems. Is there a story there?
> Regards
> Steve Pitt
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jeremy Davey" <europaflyer_3@msn.com>
> To: <europa-list@matronics.com>
> Sent: 08 February 2006 09:58
> Subject: RE: Europa-List: John Tempest leaving the PFA
>
>
<europaflyer_3@msn.com>
> >
> > Steve,
> >
> > Very many thanks for your kind wishes, and your core point is well
> > understood. I can help a little on that...
> >
> > The focus of priorities in Engineering is quite clear, and actually has
> been
> > for some time. Flying planes come first - "keep them in the air". Next
are
> > projects at completion - "get them flying". Poor souls like me who are
> years
> > off flying are bottom of the stack - with exceptions made on a
> case-by-case
> > basis if work is being stopped by Engineering's lack of progress on an
> item
> > (as happened to me - I couldn't proceed with anything at one point as
mods
> > on everything were pending).
> >
> > What I don't think has been satisfactorily sorted is priority given to
new
> > types. I fully accept that these are an investment in the PFA's future -
> but
> > at present I don't think we can afford that luxury. I'm interested in
> > feedback from folks on the level of priority we should give those (so
fire
> > away!). Bear in mind, of course, that glider wings for Europas probably
> fall
> > into this category... and I know I'm not the only person who wants those
> (in
> > fact there are 2 EC members out of 18 who do!).
> >
> > Regards,
> > Jeremy
> >
> > Jeremy Davey
> > Europa Monowheel 537M G-EZZA
> > Europa Club Vice-Chairman, Webmaster, PFA NC Representative
> > PFA EC Member
> > "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then it
> is
> > possible you haven't grasped the severity of the situation."
> > Tail done
> > Standard XS wings with mods underway
> > CM installed in fuse (with airbrakes fittings)
> > 1430 build hours to date, build currently stalled due to house moves and
> > lack of workshop
> > Intended fit:
> > Rotax 914 turbo, Airmaster CS fully-feathering prop
> > Lots of lights, buttons, switches, gizmos, and alarms
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
> > [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Steven Pitt
> > Sent: 08 February 2006 08:29
> > To: europa-list@matronics.com
> > Subject: Re: Europa-List: John Tempest leaving the PFA
> >
> > --> <steven.pitt2@ntlworld.com>
> >
> > Jeremy
> > This is not an attempt to vent frustrations at you or anyone else but as
I
> > approach my kit completion I hope that the Engineering Offices efforts
are
> > being concentrated on existing builders with kits about to fly rather
than
> > new 'commercial' kits that are still coming off the drawing board.
> > I am not in the know but my impression is that much valuable time has
been
> > spent testing new 'sexy' aircraft rather than looking after the fleet.
> > I wish you both well in your endeavours be it house hunting, aircraft
> > building or married life.
> > Regards
> > Steve Pitt
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jeremy Davey" <europaflyer_3@msn.com>
> > To: <europa-list@matronics.com>
> > Sent: 07 February 2006 15:17
> > Subject: Europa-List: John Tempest leaving the PFA
> >
> >
> <europaflyer_3@msn.com>
> > >
> > > (Apologies to the non-UK folks for whom this will be of only marginal
> > > interest at best.)
> > >
> > > PFA HQ have issued the following statement:
> > >
> > > "Our Deputy chief Engineer John Tempest has reluctantly decided to
move
> on
> > > after 10 years of dedicated work for PFA. John has been head hunted by
> De
> > > Havilland Support (DHS) for some time and has now made a final
decision
> to
> > > take the opportunity to develop his career with DHS. We wish him well
in
> > > that move.
> > >
> > > To maintain our capability John will remain as a consultant to PFA.
> > >
> > > As members know we are currently interviewing candidates for a Head of
> > > Engineering and a new design Engineer. With John's imminent departure
> we
> > > have now expanded this programme to include a replacement for John.
> > >
> > > Clearly this situation will reduce in the short term our capability
and
> > > service levels will potentially suffer. Be assured all efforts will be
> > made
> > > to mitigate this problem. During this difficult period members are
asked
> > to
> > > assist by reducing their demands as much as possible."
> > >
> > > I'd just a like to add a few personal notes, as I know this will give
> rise
> > > to great concern in a group such as the Europa community that has a
lot
> of
> > > flying aircraft, many more approaching first flight, and a high rate
of
> > > modifications.
> > >
> > > First of all, this is an excellent opportunity for John, who has given
> the
> > > PFA 10 years of service, and it is quite understandable that he wants
to
> > > progress his career. He leaves us with my best wishes.
> > >
> > > Secondly, obviously this is not a good time to lose an Engineer. We
were
> > > already recruiting a fourth Engineering head, and replacing the Head
of
> > > Engineering. We're down to 1 man (Francis) compared to 3 a year ago,
and
> > > compared to a budgeted headcount of 4. It doesn't take Burt Rutan to
> work
> > > out that this situation brings 'challenges'.
> > >
> > > Obviously I'll be doing my best, along with the rest of the
Engineering
> > > committee at the PFA, and the EC, to resolve this as quickly as
> possible.
> > > We'll also be using this as an opportunity to re-think the way
> Engineering
> > > works (clouds and silver linings and all that). Liza and I are 'heads
> > down'
> > > house-hunting at present, and that process will hopefully be followed
by
> a
> > > house move, so can I just say that I'd really appreciate it if folks
> > didn't
> > > 'vent' their frustrations at me at this time.
> > >
> > > Thanks and regards,
> > > Jeremy
> > >
> > > Jeremy Davey
> > > Europa Monowheel 537M G-EZZA
> > > Europa Club Vice-Chairman, Webmaster, PFA NC Representative
> > > PFA EC Member
> > > "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, then
it
> > is
> > > possible you haven't grasped the severity of the situation."
> > > Tail done
> > > Standard XS wings with mods underway
> > > CM installed in fuse (with airbrakes fittings)
> > > 1430 build hours to date, build currently stalled due to house moves
and
> > > lack of workshop
> > > Intended fit:
> > > Rotax 914 turbo, Airmaster CS fully-feathering prop
> > > Lots of lights, buttons, switches, gizmos, and alarms
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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