Look at you hockeydad, new member today and already contributing, good to see you. I do need to question how you are so certain that one technology is superior to the other? Have you physically had the opportunity to compare both systems side by side or are you just repeating what somebody told you? I've been in AMS for almost three years and have yet to see their system in operation, the likely hood of that ever happening is slim to none. What I do know is that some 200 units are installed and operational which have been followed up with strong customer endorsements. I know that SNC. a major military supplier has gotten involved and I also know that L-3, the company that supplies 75% of the worlds FDRs has now gotten involved with the AMS technology.
I would never dream of saying that the SNA product is inferior because I haven't seen it, the video doesn't sound to me that there's much difference in functionality between the two but I'm far from an expert. I do know that a unit was installed on a plane 2.5 years ago, there's been no press releases I can find in nearly two years discussing the testing and there hasn't been a contract signed, so as an investor what should I assume from that? I also know that from a number of recent releases, the system is being described as under development, it was supposed to be ready this fall, now sometime in 2010 according to the recent MD&A. I don't care what BL says about STCs, unless they've been registered under a different name, there is only one operational STC that I can find in the TC and FAA data bases. Without STCs the units can not be installed on aircraft, that simple, every model of aircraft requires a separate STC. There is a substantial time and financial investment required to obtain these approvals. So as an investor at this stage I've chosen to go with the one that's producing revenue and closely watching the one that is trying to gain a position. I will never underestimate neither company nor will I take anybody elses word to be gospel.
To SNAs credit, the recent deal sounds interesting particularly with the EADS relation. What I don't understand is the term "develop a mechanism", it sounds like first they need to put a deal together before they can talk about doing business, an MOU maybe? It's an excellent tech company but I'm unclear as to where the fit is, other then the parent company relationship. Astrium, I hope I spelled that correctly, is a satellite company, they're not an FDR manufacturer unless that's the direction they're planning on going in. In which case I would question how many years that would take to develop and get certified?
I hope that provides some insight, I will be watching SNA for an opportunity but first I want to see some of these blanks filled in. I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination but I have spent many hours researching this subject, you should all do the same.
Good luck all and good health.
