Seems like your two statements here might disagree with each other or at least ignore business norms, given that reportedly 75% of venture-backed startups fail.

Seems like your two statements here might disagree with each other or at least ignore business norms, given that reportedly 75% of venture-backed startups fail.

....and for the next project...

I was curious about this and asked around. What I was told (some of those were in the refining business) is that Jet-A has more... lubricity than automotive diesel. Theilert made a number of modifications to get their engines to run Jet-A and have a chance at TBO.

The takeaway was that a street diesel will burn Jet-A. No question. But without some additional lubricants, it won't run nearly as long as it would have running diesel fuel.

...he could add a second engine! The Velocity V-Twin XL is a gorgeous plane!

So in Peter's case we have what appears to be a dreamer with little aeronautical engineering knowledge, but some good woodshed fabricating and jerry-rigging skills. What if he, until recently, actually believed the numbers that he had posted? He wouldn't be a con artist if he really thought he might be able to deliver on or near those promises. Absurd you say? Maybe to you and me, but to someone without the technical knowledge of why it won't work we just see barriers put in place by big corporations that are too tied up in red tape to produce an out-of-the-box design that breaks those barriers. That may well be Peter. When the first flights came in he refunded deposits and took down the escrow. That doesn't sound like a con man to me, it sounds like a dreamer with a lot of integrity.

As to venture capital, where does the lender's responsibility come into play? Where is due diligence expected? If you don't know anything about aeronautics and are about to put a five figure deposit on some paper airplane, would you not research the claims and credentials of the builders? If it fails, who's fault is it that you lost your money? Heck, you can buy stocks that will go to zero. "All investments, especially venture capital, are speculative in nature and involve substantial risk of loss."

John

I agree. And I don’t think Peter is a con man. I sure have never said that and I don’t see people saying that, especially since he offered to pay back deposits. I think he has proven to be honest and a good guy. And I also agree that he did believe the original claims when he made them. He may have realized they are not achievable now but I don’t think he has admitted that.

Mike.

It’s not a lie if you believe it. George Costanza

It is not out there currently. He isn't taking any deposits and has removed all specs and performance claims from the website a while ago.

There's "live" and then there's "live." Apparently he's as good a webmaster as he is an aerospace engineer.

After watching this last video it is flying for sure but still does not seem to be flying right. The two times you can see his hands on the stick it seems like he is having to try really hard and apply lots of pressure to move the plane. His comments about the rudders are concerning as well. But he was still talking about getting out west so they can get production underway

I'm baffled by the idea that he's drooping the ailerons so that they're in the correct position during flight, and that the first bit of rudder pedal travel just takes the slack out of the system.

As the wings flex with supporting the weight of the aircraft, the ailerons move? Not shocked. Could be impacting the rudders as well.

As the wings flex with supporting the weight of the aircraft, the ailerons move? Not shocked. Could be impacting the rudders as well.

Why relocate to CA for mfg? I am having difficulty imagining Peter working with anyone (with experience/skills).