Cowl Flap Motor

[Kelly Greene]

Cowl Flap Follow-up: It's a sad and long story but I sent in my cowl flap motor to RLB Accessory Service in Illionois back in Feb. I still have yet to get it returned. On the phone the guy is really nice and polite but always has an excuse and after numerous calls (maybe a dozen) he's yet to follow through with one promise. I called him back in June and he said it was finished and he'd ship it out to me that day or the next... Nothing after 3 weeks. I called yesterday and he said he'd shipped it to the wrong guy and that he was waiting to get it back. Five months is a little long in turn around time. This guy is a real quack and people need to know!

[edasmus]

Kelly, did you ever get this issue resolved? My front cowl flap motor is in need of service. Mark, is your front cowl flap motor still working? Are you still satisfied? My plane is based at ARR near Chicago as is Mark's and Mr. Bena is a short drive from here. I am wondering if I should contact this gentleman or not. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ed Asmus N1873M

[Mark Hislop]

Ed:

My cowl flap motor is still running perfectly. I hadn't realized how slow it had gotten until I had it repaired.

I read Kelly's problem. I don't know what to say. My motor was repaired well, and done within a few days. I have had other items repaired or rebuild by Bob Bena, including the fuel spider on my front engine (it kept dripping) and my mags. Many people on our field have used him for mags and prop governors, and as far as I know have all been happy. Tom Carr of CPA called Bob Bena after I posted my "find" and chlecked him out. Tom sent me an email from which I gathered that Tom was impressed with Bob's capabilities. He even told me that Bob could rewind the motors.

If I have need of a repair that Bob can do, I still fee confident in his work.

[edasmus]

Thanks Mark...

I will call Mr. Bena on Monday and I will give feedback to the forum on how it goes. I am hoping for the same success that you had.

Ed

[Kelly Greene]

Hi Ed,

I finally got my cowl motor back after six months from RLB Accessory Service in Addison, IL in August. It was inititially sent in Feb. This guy put me off at least a dozen times with empty promises that it would be shipped "next week". The final fix cost was around $450.

Take care,
Kelly

[edasmus]

Thanks Kelly,

Turns out I spoke with a few other folks at my home airport and they all spoke well of Mr. Bena including my regular shop that I use for maintenance. They have used him many times over the years with good success. The guys at my regular shop also have heard that his health has been ailing the past several months. I cannot say with any certainty, but my guess would be that probably had something to do with your experience with his service. Hopefully your cowl flap works and hopefully his health improves. Thanks for your response!

Ed

[Kelly Greene]

Hi Ed,

I'm glad to hear others have had positive results with RLB. After four months of not having my flap motor returned I obtain another one elsewhere. I expect the motor which was returned works but do date it's still in the box. Bob was always nice and friendly on the phone and to his credit always took my calls. It just became obvious after several months that what he told me on the phone as far as a delivery date on my product and actually receiving it were worlds apart. I never became pushy or demanding but called regularly for a status... next week he'd say. The price was certainly fair. Especially compared to a refurbished motor or new. Good Luck!

Kelly