Aptera pop visit yesterday

[byplug]

...went to Aptera yesterday...

....wrote long winded article with pics...to long to post here...

...see it here, top of page... http://www.byplug.com

[c0mp13x]

Nice job byplug, thanks. An actual news update from the factory!

It's great that you snuck past security and were able to take pics. Ha

I'm somewhat disappointed that their were no little green elves assembling a surprise Christmas Aptera for me.

I'm with you and your thoughts... just make something, anything!

At this point though, I have greater confidence in Edison2 actually making something I can buy...

[Tkaypro]

Nice report byplug. Was that Cheyenne in the picture on the stairs? She's hardly recognizable. I still reference my hiring experience and employment of her as something to always avoid in the future. I take a lot of Aptera experiences as something to not repeat again.

I hadn't realized you were a supporter of improving the ingress egress. It's such a individual thing, as I watched my 90 year old neighbor climb in Zen with ease. Height or shape didn't seem to matter. It was just personal preference and what someone is used to. Anyway, glad you got a trip down memory lane and perhaps received renewed hope. I share your overall sentiment of just build something, anything, it won't be perfect, but it doesn't matter except to those who don't want to see Aptera on the road.

-Tricia

[steve]

Hey Byplug. Great post. One of the designers from Art Center that helped us with the MK-0, a slightly modified Morelli body, shared with me this book on ergonomics and the human form. It was amazing! I was so surprised to see that the variation in height/headroom inside the vehicle was due to torso height, not total height. The designer, Gregg, was a short guy- 5'6" or so, I'm 6ft. But his and my torso were the same size so we had exactly the same headroom!

I agree ingress and egress on any vehicle, aircraft, could be improved. Stepping down and strapping in the cockpit of a DA-20 requires you to channel your inner gymanst- my dad would never dig it. Same with Aptera, many wouldn't dig it. I just didn't think it was worth delaying the program a year with the funds we had.....go to war with the army that you have.

The cascade of effects and delays from the door change is such a pivotal point in the destru...I mean delay of the company that it is a full chapter in my book as a lesson in groupthink, ineptitude and red herrings.

[Grendal]

Having owned and run a company with over 250 employees I know it is incredibly easy for someone in management to get caught up in the minutiae around them. Especially problems. The job of the person in charge is to always keep an eye on the big picture while still directing those around you to focus on their tasks and problems. Which is why I can say with certainty that PBW is a horrible CEO and manager. No vision at all. The only goal he achieved was to get the S0-1 completed and participate in the X-prize. And that took an extra 10 million from a last minute investor to pull off. His failure list is immense. Just the few tidbits from Steve speak volumes as to how terrible PBW was and is. But ultimately, I still hold the BOD responsible for PBW's actions. They STILL haven't fired the guy.

It's very sad that Edison2 is just now reaching the point where Steve and Chris had Aptera in mid-2008. What a waste of knowledge and momentum.

And Byplug - thanks for some new pictures.

[G-Jet]

Byplug! great visit to a museum.

G

[BryanSR]

Thanks for your interesting post!!!!!!!!!!!