Sport Pilot Talk

I have flown the Sting Sport, Remos, and RV-12, sat in the Bristell and own a Gobosh 700 (Aero AT-4). I am also building a RV-12. I will tell you that of the ones I have flown besides my own Gobosh, I really liked the RV-12 the best. It flies great and feels very stable in flight. I would say though that sitting in the Bristell you will really like the room in it. I haven't flown one yet but it sure looks nice and is very comfortable to sit in with two "svelte" guys The only downside on the Bristell is the price tag relative to the RV-12 S-LSA. Either way, you will have a great time at the show. I am hoping for good weather this year. Last year the weather just wasn't nice for the first couple days. I am trying to fly my Gobosh down there from CO via MA. Who says you can't do longer cross countries in LSA's

Carl

Nomore767 wrote:So Paul, can you expand upon your comment regarding adding one to your flight school? Would you prefer one over say another Sport Star?

It all comes down to whether I were buying new or used, Howard. There are a number of lightly used Evektors on the market now for under $90k. At that price, they're tempting. And, one should not overlook the economic benefits of fleet consistency (I already have a pretty good inventory of Evektor parts, a good in with the factory, and an excellent supply chain established).

However, the newer Evektors are sufficiently different from mine that some of those advantages disappear. The standard avionics is now different, especially in the Harmony. Plus, they've gone up quite a bit in price over the last couple of years, making the RV much more attractive when we're talking new.

Comparing the RV12 to some of the Euro composite imports ( Sling, Sting, CTLS, Remos GX ), which I have to say 'look' slicker and smoother than the (can I say) 'kit-like' RV12, but also cost a whole lot more, what features and attributes do you like which would make you want to add one to your flight school ? Over, say another type?

The composite aircraft not only look sleek, they are much cleaner aerodynamically than metal planes. That's because you can form compound curves more readily in composite than in sheetmetal. As a result, you get a significant reduction in parasitic drag. But, parasitic drag varies directly with airspeed, and given the LSA speed restriction, it never really comes into play.

So, you're left with a cosmetic and slight weight advantage. Balancing that against maintenance issues, metal wins for me (I'm pretty good at drilling holes and pulling or pounding rivets, and have all the requisite tools. Not so for composites work.)

newamiga wrote:I have flown the Sting Sport, Remos, and RV-12, sat in the Bristell and own a Gobosh 700 (Aero AT-4). I am also building a RV-12. I will tell you that of the ones I have flown besides my own Gobosh, I really liked the RV-12 the best. It flies great and feels very stable in flight. I would say though that sitting in the Bristell you will really like the room in it. I haven't flown one yet but it sure looks nice and is very comfortable to sit in with two "svelte" guys The only downside on the Bristell is the price tag relative to the RV-12 S-LSA. Either way, you will have a great time at the show. I am hoping for good weather this year. Last year the weather just wasn't nice for the first couple days. I am trying to fly my Gobosh down there from CO via MA. Who says you can't do longer cross countries in LSA's

Carl

Thanks Carl!

newamiga wrote:. I would say though that sitting in the Bristell you will really like the room in it. I haven't flown one yet but it sure looks nice and is very comfortable to sit in with two "svelte" guys The only downside on the Bristell is the price tag relative to the RV-12 S-LSA.

I have flown the Bristell, Carl, and its handling is consistent with its looks. It is, frankly, the most comfortable of the dozen LSAs I've flown, and performs like a dream. For a personal aircraft, if money were no object, it would be my hands-down choice. Very solid feel, great numbers, and fit and finish on a par with my old Beechcraft. But just not affordable or practical for a small flight school, where it has to earn its keep.

Howard,
Just a little perspective from the other side of the booth. You have to have some kind of set policy for the show, and I think it was this policy that they were stating to you. There are lots of people who will pop in the booth and ask if you are giving free demo rides. They are just there to see how many free rides they can get. If you give a rides to people who are not really interested in buying an airplane you might lose someone who is because the time slot they had in thier schedule is already taken by someone else. That being said, if someone comes to my home airport to look at the airplane I will never charge for a demo ride.

Well summarized, Tom.

Nomore767 wrote:Flocker…are you interested in any particular types at Sebring and do you have a short list of possible buys?

For me I'd like to see the RV12, Bristell, Tecnam P2008, Sky Arrow, Sting and Legend Cub.

I'll also stop by the Lockwood booth and talk to the renowned Rotax gurus.

Cheers, Howard.

We're on the same page. I'd like to see all of the ones mentioned above and while I have flown the P2008, I'm hoping to see an Astore...

Flocker,

So how did you like the P2008?

Compared to the C162 or any other LSA that you've flown or looked at?

Do you think that the current debate around the new FAA policy on Sleep Apnea will impact attendance at this years show? I know several pilots that (reportedly) snore heavily that are now nervous about their next medical since they fear being referred to a sleep specialist. In my casual conversations with these pilots they now appear to be showing more interest in LSA than they did a year ago . Perhaps Tecnam should rename their Astore the Asnore in an effort to attract new buyers and enhance sales!

Howard, I plan to be at expo on Thursday the 16th. I have flown the Sky Arrow, Bristell, Remos GX, Evektor, Tecnam P92 and am fully checked out to fly the C162 but the best experience I have had in a LSA was in the RV12. I have stated previously that the flying qualities of the RV12 match or exceed those of my DA40. I look forward to hearing about your experience after your RV12 demo. Next to the RV12 I liked the Sky Arrow, it reminded me of flying a glider (sail plane) except with an engine, the view from the front seat is spectacular and you feel a bit like a fighter pilot with left hand on throttle and right hand on stick (except for the 90KT cruise speed).

c162pilot wrote:Howard, I plan to be at expo on Thursday the 16th. I have flown the Sky Arrow, Bristell, Remos GX, Evektor, Tecnam P92 and am fully checked out to fly the C162 but the best experience I have had in a LSA was in the RV12. I have stated previously that the flying qualities of the RV12 match or exceed those of my DA40. I look forward to hearing about your experience after your RV12 demo. Next to the RV12 I liked the Sky Arrow, it reminded me of flying a glider (sail plane) except with an engine, the view from the front seat is spectacular and you feel a bit like a fighter pilot with left hand on throttle and right hand on stick (except for the 90KT cruise speed).

Can you expand on why you like the RV12 over the other LSA types that you've flown?
I got checked out on the C162 and really liked it. I like the slightly heavier controls, compared with the Remos GX, and the higher wing loading gave it a more stable feeling in turbulence. Frankly I liked the 0-200D engine and overall I felt it was very much the Cessna "mini-Me".

The Sky Arrow is intriguing. I've followed Eddies posts and videos and I'd like to have a closer look. The prices I've seen on them, used, have been good and you're right the airplane does give you that fighter feel with the throttle and side stick (making your own jet engine noises is optional!).

One thing I've thought about is if I purchase an airplane, I hope it'll be the last till I hang up my headset. I'm 60 so I've a few pages to fill in my logbook yet…but at the end I'd rather like to donate the airplane to a place where youngsters etc can get a chance to learn to fly. One such group is Able Flight and the Sky Arrow can be adapted to rig a hand control to operate the rudders. Seeing the vets learning to fly is awesome.

I certainly am looking forward to the RV12 demo, fingers crossed for good weather. I'll post a report on it afterwards.

c162pilot wrote:Next to the RV12 I liked the Sky Arrow, it reminded me of flying a glider (sail plane) except with an engine, the view from the front seat is spectacular and you feel a bit like a fighter pilot with left hand on throttle and right hand on stick (except for the 90KT cruise speed).

To be honest, I typically see 95k to 98k TAS.

Still slow, to be sure, but it still gets you there eventually!

Back on point...

...it looks like Kool Karen and I might be there for at least one day.

We're in the market for an RV, and it turns out there's an RV show in Tampa about the same time.

Plan A - Fly down to Lake Placid (where a friend lives on a private strip) and either borrow or rent a car to do the RV show and fly into Sebring if possible.

Plan B - Just drive down.

Oh, and maybe a second honeymoon at Chalet Suzanne while we're in the area - it was our first road trip together!

Let you guys know if it all falls together and which day its looking like we'll be there.

Nomore767 wrote:Flocker,

So how did you like the P2008?

Compared to the C162 or any other LSA that you've flown or looked at?

PM Sent

Nomore767 wrote:

Flocker wrote:Quick question on flight demos... do they need to be scheduled ahead of time or can we just drop by and go?

I had an e-mail from Vans who said the demo schedule for the RV12 SLSA on 17th/18th was wide open. I replied to the e-mail and asked for a demo slot on the 17th. I just had a reply saying I'm on the schedule on the 17th. FWIW The guy who contacted me is from RV12 SLSA marketing (Yikes I'm being marketed!)…his name is Adam and can be contacted at:-
[email protected] Adam's cell is 920-216-3255

BTW…I think it's a bit steep having to 'pay' for the demo! Seriously? I replied to Adam to ask about this. If I get a reply I'll post it.

Cheers, Howard.

Just saw this post. I e-mailed Adam this evening. Thanks!