www.brantly.info

Dear Mr. Spiker,

I will try to address each of your questions below as specifically as possible. However, in general let me say that Brantly has surrendered its PC to the FAA and the Brantly office in the US is administrative only with one clerical employee. The operation in China is focusing on the V750 UAV which is a conversion of a B2B into an unmanned ship.

The decision to close Brantly in the US and put the focus on UAV’s is purely a business decision made by the Board of Directors and Company Management. The business plan does include a US Brantly International in the future (approximately 24-36 months). A stand alone company dedicated to B2B support cannot sustain itself, but together with UAV production and the revenue generated there, the resources would then be available to build and sustain a US facility along with new upgrades desperately needed for the B2B.

I realize this is not necessarily the response you are looking for but it is the current status of Brantly International. Please see my response below to your individual questions.

[RS] What is the status of Brantly in China? Are they still getting setup to build new ships and/or parts?
[TTA] Qingdao Haili Helicopter in China is focused entirely on converting existing B2B’s to the V750 and putting a new V750 into production.

[RS] Will this happen at all in the next few years, where helicopters and/or parts will be made again?
[TTA] It is the goal of the Board to have a US Brantly International Production Facility in the next 2-3 years focused on the V750 production, support of the B2B and possible upgraded versions of the B2B for production.

[RS] What about parts availability for us here in the States? We know Gary and Harold have some, but this is increasingly becoming a problem to find needed parts. Blades, shafts, bearings, dampers, clutches, etc.
[TTA] Without a Production Certificate Brantly cannot supply parts or components.

[RS] Will there be a solution for the Formsprag clutch overhauls? Either allowing an A&P to inspect and/or overhaul, or getting Formsprag to start doing them again.
[TTA] I will discuss this with engineering in China.

[RS] We heard talk a few years ago about the possibility of a new Superior engine for the Brantly, possibly up around 205 HP. Is there any truth to this? What a huge difference another 20-25 HP would make.
[TTA] Certification cost in todays economic climate does not make this a viable program today.

[RS] Is the Brantly helicopter going to go by the wayside, leaving all of us owners with orphan, unsupported helicopters?
[TTA] It is the goals of the Board to re-start Brantly International when it would be possible for the company to profitably sustain itself. Again, additional products such as the V750 will help this happen.

[RS] Can you tell us if the latest service bulletin (SB 111) will be turned into an AD by the FAA?
[TTA] I have not been informed by the FAA if this will take place or not.