Aerotech R/C Models is BACK!

[SleepyC]

Hey guys, I am excited to break the following information here on the Giants.
Matt is a great guy, a huge supporter of FG and a field reporter for us.
I could not be happier for him and all the guys involved in this venture.

So with out further ado, I am going to let Matt "Smokin" Mikesh tell the news...


A New Beginning for AEROTECH R/C MODELS!!!!

Aerotech R/C Models has changed hands! Fellow FG’er Matt “smokin” Mikesh along with partners Paul Gassman and Ken Perron have purchased Aerotech and are bringing the dawn of a new Aerotech day to the R/C world in the near future! This exciting venture has been in the works for many months and has finally transpired. As of Wednesday April 29th, the company has officially been acquired in full and the new owners are working diligently to be able to bring these kits to market by early summer.

The Aerotech R/C Models Mission Statement is pretty simple….
“Aerotech R/C Models WILL manufacture, deliver and support world class airframes with world class service!”

About the owners….

Matt Mikesh is the owner of Clinton Motor Works, a small car dealership and service center. In the ever changing automotive industry, Matt’s shop has remained successful by remembering that it is necessary to do things right the first time and make it easy for the customer to do business there. Matt has been an active member of the FG community for the past couple of years and travels to as many shows and events as humanly possible. Matt will bring Aerotech to the public instead of waiting for the public to come to him!

Paul Gassman is the owner of Collis Tool Corp, a generations old tool and dye company. Paul started with this company in high school and worked his way up for decades and is now the President and CEO. Paul’s expertise in fabrication and tooling will prove to be essential in the ever changing world of Model Aviation. Paul is known to all as the guy that can fabricate just about anything! His company’s success has been based on delivering a quality product in a timely fashion and continuing to back that product with industry topping customer service!

Ken Perron is the Maintenance Manager for the local Nestle Purina factory. Ken has been in industrial equipment maintenance for a few decades and is as proficient as it gets in the Quality Control department. Ken also offers a significant fabrication and manufacturing resume that will bolster the quality and capability of the company. Ken’s son James is a CAD engineer that will play an integral part in keeping up with the changing airframe environment.

These three guys fully understand that the key to success in this venture lies not only in delivering a tremendous product, but in the supporting and servicing of the customer that is buying that product. Because of this, they realized that it would be necessary to involve someone that has a tremendous amount of practical application knowledge in the building of these kits. Mr. Robert Joyner of Competition Airframes has agreed to be the face of the company’s technical support division. Robert spent many years with the previous owner building and modifying the Aerotech airframes and has been an integral part in the success of these kits. Rob will be manning the support threads on FG and will gladly assist with building tips and suggestions to make the assembly of these great kits easier for even the most novice of builders. Anyone that knows Rob knows that he is a wealth of building knowledge and that he will bend over backwards to help whenever possible.

About the product….

The Aerotech airframes have always been great flying models that have been proven time and time again in both competition and leisure applications. The new owners are now making these kits better, lighter, and more complete than ever before. The kits are all laser cut with the tightest tolerances and easiest construction available. The balsa included in these kits will only come from the best sources and will all be AAA Hand-Select. The kits will now be offered standard with carbon wing and stab tubes and with a carbon wheel pant option. They will still include a scale type instrument panel. The kits will now include an all American made hardware package consisting of all necessary items to complete the building process. The new owners realize that many “nuts and bolts” packages included in kits are tossed aside and replaced by the customer with a better quality American product. Therefore, that is what Aerotech is now including! Each of the vendors Aerotech will be doing business with are located here in the US.

Along with the great number of previously existing Aerotech airplanes there are several new state of the art designs that will be released shortly. Aerotech has the only kit form Slick 540 on the market right now and has also just introduced the new Extra 330SC. These planes will come in a variety of sizes and will reflect an all laser cut, interlocking construction that is light and strong. Along with the very successful Yak54 that Aerotech has had in production for quite some time, the new owners are re-releasing the Yak55 and the Sukhoi SU26. Both of these planes come in several sizes and will be available upon the grand opening. The newly redesigned Edge 540 will be in great demand as soon as “X-Rated” John Nelon’s is debuted at the Joe Nall next week. Robert Joyner’s 44% Giles 202 is in production as well and definitely needs to be checked out at Triple Tree! Many of these Giles will undoubtedly be popping up on the IMAC scene. With a line-up that includes airframes from the Golden Era’s Chipmunk all the way to the most up to date, state of the art Extras, and sizes from 50cc to 200cc, the new Aerotech believes it has one of the most complete stables of airplanes on the market today.

The new Aerotech R/C Models owners are hoping to meet as many people as possible at the 3D Flight Line and their booth at the Joe Nall next week. Please stop by and feel free to ask any questions about the company and their products. Just look for the Team Aerotech shirts and reach out for a hand shake!

Matt, Paul, Ken and Rob would like to thank the FG community for the opportunity to bring these airplanes to new heights and to regain the position in the R/C world that these tremendous airplanes deserve. Once again, Aerotech is not only dedicated to producing the best kits on the market, but to supporting those kits with the world class customer service that will leave the customer telling only success stories!

[BOSSIER_ROB]

That's awesome news! Great bunch of guys bringing a great airframe line up back, AND adding some new ones. I wish the best for you guys and hopefully will be a customer in the future. I always liked that big edge and now it's lighter/better. Hell yeah! After getting my slick arf flying right, I had often wished that someone had a kit out to be able to build it the way you like it and now someone is making one. Nice move on that one. I'd like to see one. I may have to have one. I have no doubt that you guys have the right knowledge, attitudes, and ability to make this company successful and look forward to seeing all the cool new stuff. Good luck and see you guys at the Nall!

[Unbalanced]

Sweet. I'd like to replace the "ahem" questionable quality cowl that came in my 35% Edge kit.

I have no doubts Matt will do a fine job running things.

[pepatrick]

I wonder if they will have a better relationship with customs... LOL!!!

[HUNTERNFLA]

CONGRATS GUYS we will all look forward to seeing youre company grow in the years to come

[SleepyC]

Hey guys just to be clear and get this out of the way. Matt and crew are well aware of the PAST reputation of the last owner. These are completely new owners with no affiliation with the old management.

Matt spoke to me about this whole project several months ago, and he has the right attitude, and the right plan.
The new team of guys who own Aerotech understand that having a great product is only part of the equation, and that customer service is the the rest.

I am stoked for these guys and wish them all the best.

[Chris Puckett]

Awesome news. I caught wind of this deal a few months ago and waited for this posting. I can now say with pride that I own a couple of Aerotech 40% Yaks. I got some things in the shop now that need finished up but will be building a few more Aerotech kits in the future. I will be happy to spend my money with this team.

[Mithrandir]

My little word of advice....

... do for your kits what Dave Johnson does for DA Engines.....

That looks like a pretty good formula for success in my mind!!!

Oh Yeah.... how about a 40% Yak 55 that doesn't cost $3000.00?????

Good Luck Guys!!!

[sweetpea]

Great news!

I'm very proud of my 42% Aerotech Extra 300. It flies superb. Could there be a 40% Su-26 in my future>>>>>

[heath bomb]

Heck yeah I might finally be able to get some help on my 35% edge build. Thanks Matt and everyone else for taking this on. Best of luck and can't wait to do business with you all in the near future. Is the website going to stay the same or is it going to be different as well?

[sweetpea]

Thanks Sleepy for deleting the duplicate.

I've got a V1 35% Edge I built myself. I could offer some help if you are stuck on something but I think your best bet is to contact Competition Airframes as he has built several of the Edges.

[heath bomb]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sweetpea
	Thanks Sleepy for deleting the duplicate. I've got a V1 35% Edge I built myself. I could offer some help if you are stuck on something but I think your best bet is to contact Competition Airframes as he has built several of the Edges.

The only real problem I am having is with the cowl. I bought it off a buddy and he made it a two piece spilt cowl and I can't figure out the best way to attach it. I think mine is a V1 as well. It's a few years old from what I have been told. I'll PM you later so we don't turn this great news into a build thread. Thanks again Smokin and crew