Sport Pilot Talk

Rick,

Congrats! Very happy for you. That should be a sweet little rocket ship. Just curious, were you ever able to test fly an Astore?

Drew

As a student pilot getting my PPL I've been watching this forum for quite a while. I have been thinking a lot about an LSA such as a Van's RV-12 to build or even buy. But, I hardly ever see that plane discussed on these forums. Is it not as good as the other light sports often discussed on this forum? It seems to cost a lot less.
Andy

Best of luck and hope you have a quick and satisfactory sale of the Diamond. Then Bristell sounds like a phenomenal airplane. pricey for sure, but phenomenal.

agrimm01 - I saw about 90 posts come up after searching Vans RV12. If the Homebuilt area of AirVenture is any guide, there are one whole whale-load of RVs out there. I was in-person ogling the RV-12 they are giving away this year which was featured in Sport Aviation a few months ago. It was surely one sweet machine.

Personally I find the prices for new factory built LSA airplanes to be pretty staggering. But Vans has a pretty fine reputation in the field.

BY the way, NOT knocking the costs....as I ALWAYS say about most stuff, things are NOT too expensive.... I just cant afford them - lol

Awesome.
I am sure a 914 equipped, top of the line , Bristell will give you many hours of pure joy but ...damn, that price tag , I think that's even more than a fully decked out Astore.
Anyway, if you can afford it , then why the hell not ... heh
Congratulations.

Congrats on the order of the Bristell! Gorgeous aircraft. I'm sure the wait will be worth it!

Curious why not a DA20? Range perhaps?

Not an LSA.

Looks like I've got my DA40 sold and I am getting ready to order a new Bristell. I'm going to get the turbo (KABQ is 5300 ft), full IFR panel and will convert it to an ELSA after delivery so I can fly in IMC and do my own maintenance.

Do any of you have any recommendations/suggestions before I place the order? I talked to a new owner in PA and he said he wished he would have gotten the hand brake because the toe brakes are somewhat squirrelly at speed. The demo plane I flew with John had the hand brake and I didn't mind it, but didn't like the placement of the brake lock. I'm also a little worried that in an emergency situation, root memory would take over and I'd be pushing non-existent toe brakes.

Thanks in advance for any help

Rick

I normally fly a SkyCatcher with toe brakes, but ocassionally fly a Remos GX with a hand brake on the center console. It's not a problem at all except reaching across with my left hand to set the parking brake is almost impossible. I have to loosen my shoulder harness to reach across.

I fly hand brakes, toe brakes, and heel brakes. It won't take long and you will not even think about toe brakes anymore. After I had been flying my CT for a while I jumped back into my Piper Warrior. On landing roll out I caught myself with my hand on the mixture getting ready to pull it as the brake.

Can’t they deliver it as an E-LSA? Simple paperwork and would save you about $400.

I know at least some other manufacturers are willing to do so.

They can, but it eliminates the possibility of converting back when you sell it.

Thanks for the input so far.

Rick

RickSigler wrote:They can, but it eliminates the possibility of converting back when you sell it.

Thanks for the input so far.

Rick

I don't think it's possible to go back to SLSA from ELSA. My understanding is it's a one-way street. I'd be interested if some who has done the conversion to ELSA has looked into it.

Ron

RickSigler wrote:They can, but it eliminates the possibility of converting back when you sell it.

For all practical purposes, even a plane converted to ELSA will be virtually impossible to convert back.

The manufacturer would have to sign off that the plane still met their ASTM standards, which I doubt they would be willing to do.

Or at least that’s how I understand it.