FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) Will They fly?
2) Where did the name STAVATTI™ come from?
3) Is it legal to manufacture defense systems?
4) Will Stavatti be permitted to export the SM-27?
5) How can Stavatti compete with established industry leaders?
6) Will Lockheed Martin burn our house down?
7) What about product liability?
8) Will the SM-27, SM-45 and SM-70 Series be Stavatti's only products?
9) Where will Stavatti be in 25 years?
FREQUENT ANSWERS
1) Will They fly?
Yes. The SM-27 MACHETE, SM-45 AVIARA and SM-70 SERIES aircraft will fly. All three aircraft will fly extraordinarily well. Aircraft design is a precise and accurate science, built upon laws of physics which are proven time and again. The Machete series have been engineered using established industry practices by aerospace engineers and physicists. Design tools, such as CFD and FEA simulation have been used to optimize the designs. Furthermore, prior to building prototype aircraft, all will have endured hundreds, if not thousands of hours of wind tunnel and CFD/FEA validation, proving that their final configurations will fly before tens of millions are spent in prototype construction and flight testing.
2) Where did the name STAVATTI™ come from?
Stavatti was named by its founder Christopher R. Beskar. The name was created entirely by Mr. Beskar. As a producer of high performance fighters and lightplanes, Mr. Beskar desired a name which was sporty, exotic and could be associated with a line of sophisticated, eloquent vehicles, not unlike the high performance Italian car manufactures Ferrari and Lamborghini. Like Haagen-Dazs® and Kodak®, the name Stavatti itself has no dictionary meaning or associated family heritage.
3) Is it legal to manufacture defense systems?
Yes. It is perfectly legal to manufacture defense systems in the United States. Stavatti must register its defense manufacturing activities with the US State Department-Office of Defense trade Controls annually. Stavatti is registered as a prime contractor and manufacture of US Munitions List Items including Military Aircraft, Naval Vehicles and Projectile Armament Greater Than 50 Caliber. To produce certain defense systems, such as Firearms and Destructive Devices (Howitzers, Missiles, etc.), Stavatti must also receive approval from the ATF. Currently Stavatti produces only aircraft, with all armament systems (such as SM-36 Vulcan cannons), being considered Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). Stavatti has and is continuing to obtain the facilities (such as safe-storage magazines) and proper ATF licensing to integrate aircraft armament systems with aircraft. Currently there are numerous Prime Contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, Alliant Techsystems and United Defense who produce defense systems. These are highly respected companies which enhance America’s standard of living while providing for the common defense. They are good neighbors. Stavatti has already joined them.
4) Will Stavatti be permitted to export the SM-27?
Yes. Prior to drafting any business plans Stavatti already gained prior approval to market the SM-27 Machete to all NATO nations and Australia from the US DoS-Office of Defense Trade Controls. The ODTC oversees all exports of military equipment including those sold through DCS and FMS. In addition to marketing approval, Stavatti must receive export licenses to sell military equipment abroad. As Stavatti has already gained marketing approval to US and NATO allies, export approval is extremely likely. Producing weapon systems for friendly allies, Stavatti will only sell to NATO nations and proven allies including Israel, Taiwan ROC, Japan and the Philippines. Stavatti will adhere to the ITAR at all times. There is no possibility that Stavatti will sell to potential threat states as the ODTC ensures that all sales are within the best interests of the US prior to granting export approval. Stavatti is not interested in selling aircraft to potential threat states and unlike Clinton administration policy, will never sell weapon systems or technology to the PRC. Stavatti operates under the same laws and guidelines as Boeing and Lockheed Martin. This export policy applies to all Stavatti aerospace products.
5) How can Stavatti compete with established industry leaders?
There are three remaining US Domestic prime contractors which are capable of producing modern fighter aircraft: Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Prior to the JSF, Boeing has never build a jet fighter or a manned supersonic aircraft. Lockheed Martin has only built one operational supersonic fighter, the F-104, which although found success on the international market, failed to realize major USAF service (Lockheed actually sold more of the ‘unsuccessful’ F-104 then all the anticipated sales of F-22s and subsonic F-117s combined). Northrop Grumman is known only for the production of small, light supersonic fighters (with the exception of its abandoned Grumman heritage) which found only limited service with the USAF. The aerospace industry has changed dramatically. Current major prime contractors consist only of Boeing and Lockheed Martin as Northrop Grumman has shifted from aerospace to information technology/electronic systems. Stavatti’s core domestic competitors, Boeing and Lockheed Martin are not known for being successful fighter manufactures and do not have a fighter heritage. Boeing fighter production lines, gained through the McDonnell Douglas merger, including the F-15 and F/A-18C, are closing. While the F/A-18E/F will remain in production, it is too expensive for export sales. As Boeing did not win the JSF competition, it will likely end fighter production after completion of F-15 and F/A-18 orders and build only airliners, competing with Airbus rather than Stavatti or Lockheed Martin. Aside from the P-38 and F-104 of decades past, Lockheed Martin has lost money on all recent fighter programs (including the F-22) but improved F-16 orders and their recent F/A-35 JSF contract win will increase their bottom line. Never-the-less, Lockheed Martin is shifting from aircraft, to contract/facilities management. It is very likely that Boeing and Lockheed Martin will not be major competitors to Stavatti within 25 years. Without the JSF win, Boeing is now concentrating on Unmanned Combat Aircraft and Airliner/Transport manufacturing. Lockheed is focusing on the F-22 and JSF, but procurement of JSF will never see the numbers as anticipated due to errors inherent to both the design and program. Lockheed Martin will shift from aerospace to other more successful programs. Lockheed Martin and Boeing will both serve as major F-26 Stalma Industry Team members (as they presently do) supplying systems including avionics, flight controls and ejection seats. Similarly, foreign competitors will likely not be able to match a sophisticated, sixth generation American design with expensive, less capable fighters. Based on our perception of the industry, our principal competitors are not domestic, but foreign, including Dassault, MiG, Sukhoi and the numerous aircraft manufacturers of the PRC.
6) Will Lockheed Martin burn our house down?
No. Lockheed Martin and Boeing will not engage in underhanded, illegal devious things to cripple Stavatti. Lockheed Martin and Boeing do not sabotage their competition. The aerospace community is extremely unique. Generally, engineers who work for Lockheed Martin at some time worked for McDonnell Douglas, Grumman and Boeing as well. Like all physics-based businesses, aerospace represents a community of scientists and engineers working in an environment emphasizing the free flow of ideas. A synergistic industry, most aircraft manufacturers produce major components for one another. Northrop produces doors, aft body sections and tail components for Boeing as well as integrated wings for the Gulfstream GV. Boeing Produces the carbon fiber wings for the Northrop B-2 as well as the Lockheed Martin F-22. Lockheed Martin produces the aft fuselage of the Mitsubishi F-2 while most of the aerospace industry is working together to make the International Space Station (ISS) reality. Similarly, both Lockheed Martin and Boeing will supply major components for the SM-27 Machete. It is likewise anticipated that as Stavatti will have some of the greatest composites production equipment in the world, Stavatti will build major composite components for Boeing airliners in the future (a business plan in and of itself). While all aircraft manufactures do compete vigorously for contracts, in the end the entire aircraft industry is about partnerships. Stavatti has partnered with the best companies in the world and they will not jeopardize that to increase margins on business sectors they are exiting.
7) What about product liability?
Military aircraft which are sold to government branches including air forces, navies, etc. are not subject to product liability suits. The government which procured and operates military aircraft is responsible for all product liability. With regard to general aviation, in 1994 congress passed the General Aviation Revitalization Act which limits the degree to which product liability suits can affect general aviation lightplane manufacturers. Upon the passage of this law, Cessna reinitiated single engine lightplane production, claiming the only impetus for halting production in 1986 was product liability law. To protect Stavatti, however, product liability insurance will be purchased. Furthermore, Stavatti will maintain a product liability cash reserve by 2008-2010. Finally, there is a strong probability that rather than "sell" aircraft, Stavatti will lease all general aviation, sport and business aircraft to customers who pass an extremely rigorous qualification schedule. Provided the owner/operator is duly qualified, all non-military customers, under the terms of their lease, will be required to provide consistent accident, liability, health, term-life and additional insurance, lest their lease will be invalid. Product liability is not considered a risk in SM-27 Machete production, although it is a manageable risk in general aviation lightplane production.
8) Will the SM-27, SM-45 and SM-70 be Stavatti’s only products?
No. Although the SM-27 Machete, SM-45 Aviara and SM-70 Transport Series will be Stavatti’s core products for the first ten years of operations, Stavatti intends to begin introducing one new tactical fighter, one new strategic aircraft and one new general aviation aircraft every five years beginning in 2010. Ranging from major air defense fighters, strategic bombers, in-flight refueling tankers, theater transports to twin engine lightplanes, Stavatti will produce a full and complete line of military and general aviation aircraft. This plan is clearly indicated on the various tactical, strategic, sport and launch vehicle sections of this website where additional products, ranging from the SM-36 to the SM-54 UCAV are featured as 2nd Generation Core Products.
9) Where will Stavatti be in 25 years?
By 2025 Stavatti intends to serve as one of the largest domestic manufacturers of major military aircraft and the third largest domestic exporter of fighter aircraft to U.S. allied nations. Stavatti will be within the top 75 largest DoD prime contractors and the number three producer of manned aerospace vehicles.
Yes. Stavatti is FOR REAL. Stavatti is an actual aircraft manufacturer. Stavatti is a bona-fide aerospace defense contractor and ATF licensed firearms manufacturer. Individuals questioning these claims should visit the LICENSES page and view our Licenses & Registration section, where they can download PDF files of our business licenses and registration, a number of which Stavatti must maintain annually at an expense to our operation.
Occasionally Stavatti receives inquires from individuals who wonder if we are for real, as what we are doing appears rather incredible and "too-good-to-be-true." In response to that, we feel sad for the present state of America, both industrially, economically and culturally. To put what we are doing in context, one only needs to purchase a copy of Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II, published by Military Press as a reprint of the original Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1946/47. This book is owned by a large number of aircraft aficionados and is available at a strikingly reasonable price at a variety of booksellers. Within that book, one will discover that during and immediately following WWII America was populated by over 72 aircraft manufacturers, of which more than 21 qualify as military aircraft producers. Fast forwarding to 1990, the US was populated by more than 10 companies which produced military aircraft. Today, outside of Stavatti, there are really only three domestic military aircraft manufactures. This is sad. Yet despite this historical perspective, it is viewed by most as unbelievable that anyone would dare compete with Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
Establishing Stavatti has been a significant struggle. It has cost extraordinary amounts of time and money. To build this business beyond a special access platform manufacturer into an organization which can produce military aircraft suitable for DCS export sales to allied nations requires a commitment on the individual level of over 90 hours a week and a dedication which won't wane for over a decade. It is a constant uphill battle. Yet it is a great deal of fun with significant rewards. There are a great many lessons learned from the Stavatti project, and this entire endeavor will likely result in numerous AIAA Case Studies!
Culturally, it is extremely depressing to realize that most of American industry has shifted out of the country. This is evident when Stavatti contacts Alcoa and learns that most of the world's aluminum is now coming from China. While Alcoa was once an American Company doing foreign business, it is today an International Company doing American Business. It is further evident as we tour numerous plants nation-wide, from Texas to Washington, only to realize that manufacturers have hundreds of facilities vacant which once produced band-aids, coffee, breakfast biscuits, steel, gyros, engines, tires, textiles etc. which have been relocated overseas. It is disheartening to know the reality of unemployment and general lack of innovative businesses in America today. That is why Stavatti appears unbelievable-in America there are very few interesting jobs anymore which appear to be directed towards the future. Simply put, aerospace appears dead in the eyes of America. Rather than be depressed and mope about droning on about how America is financially and morally bankrupt, It is our argument that this country can be a nation of extraordinary innovation which produces the leading products of the world. At one time, America dominated aerospace, which drove the technology base of the planet. Guess what: we still do!
