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A Few Customer Comments:

All of the following were unsolicited

• "We were impressed with the performance of Reiff's HotBand system when combined with a sump heater. When operated overnight on a cold, windy ramp with no cover, this system had our four cylinder Lycoming uniformly warm to the touch. This system is an excellent value and is suitable for very cold conditions." AVIATION CONSUMER, February 1997

• -----Original Message-----
  From: Flury Aircraft
  Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:37 AM
  To: Sales@ReiffPreheat.com
  Subject: A Fine System

  To Reiff,

  As an FBO in southeastern PA. I'm frequently asked by owners about preheating engines when fall arrives. In the 29 years I have been in general aviation I have installed several types of electric preheaters. I can honestly say that your system is the easiest to install and in my opinion does the best job. The installation is clean, does not interfere with engine analyzer installations and has no heater in the oil sump screen plug, which requires unplugging in order to clean the screen. I have had to replace the sump screen heater on numerous occasions due to wires breaking off at the plug. Unless the owner just has to have something else, Reiff preheaters are the only one's I will sell. So far I have had only positive feedback about your product. Once you install it, it requires little or no maintenance. This is a first class system.

  Joe Flury

  Owner, Flury's Aircraft Service

• "The system works great! I have mentioned your system to all I know who are interested and was very impressed with the way it works and how easy it is to install. Wish I had it available years ago! When electricity is available it is the only way to go to preheat and keep the engine warm in very cold conditions like we have here. I fly for the Iditarod Air Force, 25-30 pilot volunteers who are the air logistics for the Iditarod dogsled race. The race runs about 1,050 miles across Alaska. Each of the 68 mushers will have about 75 lbs. of dog food and other supplies for each of the 18 check points along the race route. About 6 of us start flying in late February putting in these remote checkpoints. The race starts March 7 and runs until about the 23rd. While the race is in progress we are busy hauling race officials, such as judges, vets, checkers, etc., picking up dropped dogs from check points, and just about anything else you can think of. Temperatures during the race vary but -10 to -30 F is about normal. If it gets above 0 it is too hot for the dogs and the mushers try to run only at night then. Temperatures can and do drop down to -50 F or even colder, but -35 F is our limit for flight operations. Temperatures below -35 are just too hard on piston aircraft engines. That is about the accepted cut off for all pilots and companies flying piston engine planes up here. Over the years I have used everything you can think of for preheating. In places where we have electricity we get plugged in for continuous heat. Of course, good engine, prop, and spinner covers are a must." R. Russey, Anchorage, Alaska

• "I had my plane at the Iditarod dog sled race, and your system worked great at -20^oF." R. Sires, Anchorage, Alaska

• "Really like the heaters - they work very well even at -30^o." Stage Air Ltd., Canada

• "You guys have a great product and a good reputation -- now that I'm putting in a new engine it's time to preheat this sucker.  Your kit was the only choice."  Jeb Burnside, Vice President of NATA (National Air Transportation Association), former Executive Editor of AVweb, former News Editor of Professional Pilot magazine (Note - we have never advertised in any of those publications)

• "I need a system for my new Tiger. I had your system and the other brand on previous airplanes and liked yours better. It's a better system." A&P/IA and FAA Inspector

• "I will always try to convince my customers to use a Reiff heater rather than [the other brand]... because the [other brand] alternatives are too much money and don't stand up well to the engine environment." Ed Novak, Director of Maintenance, Shoreline Aviation, Marshfield, MA, from Cessna Pilots' Association Magazine

• "I had [the other brand] on two other airplanes and both were high maintenance. The probes burned out a lot. I talked to some others about yours and it has a better reputation, so I'm going to put yours on my new Mooney." T.S., Mass.

• "We normally quit flying at -32C/-26F in winter with our 180.  However, to test your product I went out on a -44F morning (not nice) and was surprised that your Standard System with engine cover and prop covers brought the engine temperature to 59F and oil temperature to 77F.  The engine turned easy and fired no problem.  PS - I like your no BS approach, and web site."  North Service, Canada

• "We've used 3 of your systems for several years in our flight school, and they're first class - just excellent." Jim Long Aviation

• "Your engine and battery heaters work great on my Husky. I'm very satisfied." L. Cathro

• "Our IA recommended you. He installed 3-4 with very good results - very pleased." -U.S. Propeller Service

• "We love your cylinder heating system." Sheridan Airport

• "I measured my Seneca's engine temperatures with your heaters installed, and got just what you said I'd get. Send me another system for my Pitts." G. Staffeld

• "Contrary to what your competitor says, I did not have to remove the baffles on my Continental TSIO-360's to install your cylinder heat system. They were not a problem at all." L. Cardin

• "Just a quick note to say that I am very satisfied with your system which I installed on my Piper J-3 cub with a 90 hp engine. It really makes a difference on those cold days. The installation I completed in short order and then had my A&E sign it off. I had no trouble installing the cylinder band heaters. The joke around the airport is that my bird now has an electrical system!" R. Jay

• "The heater is an excellent product, a very complete kit with instructions and the very best solution to engine preheat in my opinion. I use it even on warm days due to the beneficial effect of preheating. It is lightweight, easy to install, and cheap, considering the elegant design and manufacture. I have found no down side to it. It is a winner. None of you should be without one! I don't work for Reiff, just highly opinionated and impressed with this product." D. Walsh (posted to RV-List on internet)

• "I plug the heater in the night before I fly and throw an old blanket over the cowl, poking part of it in the intakes to trap the heat. Next morning, put your hand in the engine compartment and it is WARM in there. Engine fires on the 3rd/4th blade even on the coldest days. High on the 'Necessary Equipment' list." Michael (posted to RV-List)

• "I would like to go on record as being one who has your heaters and have them installed (on a PA-12). I must say that they do an excellent job. With the temperatures we get in the Northeast, it's nice to come out to a warm, easy starting engine. Keep up the good work." Don Champagne (posted to RV-List)

• "I have been using your pre-heat system on my Piper L4J (C65 J3) here in Berlin, Germany for two years now. Temperatures fell to -10^o C a week ago. I wouldn't have been able to start the engine without the full system (engine cover, sump pad, and cylinder band heaters). I only wish you would come up with some idea on how to heat the pilot." Patrick Villiers via E-mail.

• "I have a Reiff heater and have been absolutely delighted with it." S. Buckingham, from Cessna Pilots' Association Magazine

• "I thought you might like to know I have used your system (sump and cylinder heaters) on my Skyhawk for 2 Chicago winters with excellent results. It is amazing how effortlessly the engine starts even below 15 degrees F." Allan Goldstein

• "Last fall we installed both the HotBand Cylinder Heating System and the HotPad Oil Sump heater on our Cessna 172. Wow - they've been terrific! Our mechanic wasn't sure about them since he'd only installed [the other brand] pre-heat systems but he liked the simplicity of your systems and now he's convinced. Our "baby" ends up being toasty warm when we plug her heating system in - really toasty with overnight heating and very nicely warm when we heat her for even just a couple of hours." Frank & Dorothy Pervanger

• "My mechanic said the heaters went on like a charm (and that's from someone who complains about getting out of bed)." Email from Bill

• "Just to let you know how impressed I am with my newly installed HotBand engine heater. I purchased the system in October and recently installed them during annual inspection on the O-320 in my Cherokee and what a tremendous difference in cold weather starting. N6910W sits outside at Niagara Falls Airport and the ability to adequately pre-heat using an extension cord is remarkable. Terrific product!" Email from John Huttenlocker, Tonawanda NY

• "Thanks for the HotBand and HotPad you shipped me. They are doing a great job on our Piper Archer. Our mechanic reported that installation was very easy. You might also be interested to hear that I have recommended your preheat system to my dad, who owns a Piper Comanche." Email from Brian Wade, Endicott, NY

• "The system works great. I have the cylinder and oil sump heaters and after being plugged in overnight, the engine starts like the OAT was 70 degrees and runs smooth. By the time I get to the end of the runway my run-up is smooth and I have oil & CHT temps in the green. Definitely money well spent." Dean W.

• "I think your heaters are great.  Work super on my Cessna 340 in our severe Wyoming winters."  Dr. Brent Blue, owner of Aeromedix

• "Got it last night, installed it. Wow, wonderful, easy installation.  Great instructions. Thanks much."  Email from Bernie Ockuly, Strongsville, OH  RV7A, 2/10/05

• "The package you sent me arrived, and I have to say that it is the most competently produced, packaged, and explained product I have seen in some time."  Email from John Sims 3/7/05

• From: Maddog11capt@xxxxx.com
  Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2006 02:14 PM
  To: Sales@ReiffPreheat.com
  Subject: Thanks
  
  
  Gentlemen:
   
  This past week, I had called regarding a replacement heater band that I had sent in prior to Christmas.  The gentlemen I spoke to said that as of that day, your office had not received the old band.
   
  Later that same day, Debbie called and said that your office had just received the old band, and if it was defective, that your office would be shipping a replacement out the same day.  Deep down, I was thinking "yeah, right, I've heard this before."
   
  Well, to my utter amazement, on my front doorstep this past Thursday is a box from Debbie with a replacement band inside.
   
  Thanks is what I'm trying to say.  Thanks for a really quick response.  Thanks for sending it quickly and most of all, at no charge.
   
  Rarely in today's business world do I find someone or a place of business willing to do what's right and I applaud you for your efforts.
   
  Thanks for making it right and for doing it in an expeditious manner.
   
  In HIS Service,
   
  ron davis

• -----Original Message-----
  From: Chuck Cahill 
  Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 5:58 PM
  To: Sales@ReiffPreheat.com
  Subject: Reiff Turbo XP

   I just wanted to thank-you for making such a terrific product! It was easy to install (and I’m no aircraft mechanic) and having used the Turbo XP in combination with a Kennon insulated cowling cover during a few recent cold spells, (27 degree nights) the engine and cowling were very hot to the touch and the aircraft started right up! Since hangars are so costly here in the Northeast, (about $370.00 monthly) we store our aircraft at a tie down, however, with the Turbo XP and aircraft covers I feel confident that winter flying will be problem free.

   Thanks again!

   Best Regards,

   Chuck

  Charles H. Cahill Insurance Agency

  Duxbury, Massachusetts

   

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Last updated 1/5/08