Direct-To Avionics May Be A Goner

ANN has received a number of reports from industry sources indicating that Direct-To Avionics, a leading supplier of Avionics, especially EFIS systems, to the experimental aircraft community, may be shutting its doors. Direct-to-Avionics was created to, in part, act as an exclusive distributor for Chelton's Synthetic Vision EFIS Line to the experimental community. The company was founded by Kirk Hammersmith and Peter Stiles.

The company came to the industry's attention earlier in the year when Direct-To Avionics issued a recall on all Crossbow 425EX AHRS units. D2A officials then specified that unsuccessful long term efforts to reach a solution with supplier Crossbow Technologies, caused D2A to reach a decision in which they offered to pay for the replacement of all the units in question... out of their own pocket. It is unknown how many of those units were ultimately replaced.

According to a statement posted to the Lancair Mailing List, Chelton Flight Systems has confirmed D2A's shutdown but its taking strong steps to distance itself from any obligations it feels may be D2A's alone.

The Chelton statement reads, "By now you have probably heard that DIRECT 2 AVIONICS (“D2A”) had to close its business. Like you, we at Chelton Flight Systems were disappointed and concerned that D2A felt it had to take this action.

D2A was an authorized, independently-owned distributor for Chelton. Chelton has no ownership or other relationship with D2A. Chelton has received various inquiries from persons who have alleged that they were told by D2A that parts for which they claimed to have paid D2A were “back ordered.” Chelton currently has no purchase orders from D2A and there are no “back orders” to be filled. Chelton has also suspended taking any further purchase orders from D2A and has suspended D2A’s status as an authorized distributor.

Chelton regrets any inconvenience or financial loss the situation with D2A may have caused you."

D2A staffers have yet to make themselves available for comment. ANN will have more details as they become available.

FMI: www.direct2avionics.com, www.cheltonflightsystems.com