Bill asked for my impressions of the Bristell. I have 25 hours in the airplane. I had 18 hours in a 172 and 1 hour in a RV-12. I began training PPL in 6/2016 and move over to sport at the beginning of 9/2016. I had choice of 2 schools. Chesapeake Light Sport - RV-12. And USA Sport Flying Lancaster, PA - Bristell. I flew the RV-12 for an intro flight - never flew a low wing or stick. 2 days later I flew the Bristell. I picked the school due to location and traffic patterns (driving to and from). For a very low time 60 year student I was surprised that the RV did not have a steerable nose wheel - but had no problem taxiing. I cannot comment on the how the RV handles compared to the Bristell as I only had 1 hour and did pilot the plane on take off or landing. 2 days later my 1st flight in the Bristell was different. I was the pilot on take off and almost to wheels on the ground. When I came to the school I was a complete screw up on final and landing. With patience and practice it began to click. My logbook shows 180 landings, 120 in the Bristell. Keep in mind that my experience is only in 3 airplanes and when I began to get a real understanding (by feel) of what flying actually is was only in the Bristell. To me the airplane is very stable, responsive to the throttle, very easy to fly during slow flight. fairly quick to leave the ground, the climb rate is above average for LSA. Good glide ratio - on a my 1st power out drill I picked the hard way to reach the runway - i.e., the wrong one. However after doing 70% of a go around I made it with room to spare. After a good lecture from my CFI, he said I did good with my poor decision. The interior of a the airplane is spacious, with a bit of luxury. It is ergonomically designed - everything at your fingertips. The seats are very comfortable - I should know I have a very bad back. Sometimes in the the 172 it would start to hurt, did in the RV too. Never in the Bristell. The rudder pedals are adjustable - not just a a position or 3 but just about anywhere in the range. The throttle is a console lever, which I light so much better then the push/-pull type.
Visually the airplane is just cool! Another reason that I have enjoyed this airplane so much is my CFi Al Hubler. For a hands on versus book learning person like me, he is very perceptive. after my 2nd lesson, once in the air he dimmed out the glass panel and made me fly by feel all way down the ground. This went on for 4 - 5 lessons. It really learned from that.
Keep in mind this description is from a 45 hour 60 year student pilot with little to no experience in other airplanes. That being said - If hit the right numbers tonight I am going to buy a brand new Bristell!
PJ