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Certified Vs. Experimental

This passage from “As We Know It,” the July 2014 Editor’s Log, caught my attention: “What we’ve seen, instead, is the proliferation of smaller, lighter airplanes, often with range and capabilities that seem limiting when compared to what was the norm 30 years ago. This market is populated by storebought LSAs and experimental aircraft. They’re great for a $100 hamburger run, and possibly even an overnight getaway to the mountains or a beach, but the destinations need to be close, the load light and the weather good.”

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A reader challenges the view that modern Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and experimental aircraft are limiting, arguing they offer superior speed, fuel efficiency, and IFR capabilities compared to older models, presenting them as a strong option for general aviation.
  • A returning pilot expresses gratitude for practical aviation safety articles that help bridge the gap with new cockpit technology (GPS, HSI) and inspire a renewed focus on proficiency.
  • The article discusses the role of technology in the cockpit, with one reader questioning over-reliance on electronic aids like Angle of Attack (AoA) indicators, while the editor defends AoA as a vital safety tool to prevent loss of control and improve flying precision.
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This passage from “As We Know It,” the July 2014 Editor’s Log, caught my attention: “What we’ve seen, instead, is the proliferation of smaller, lighter airplanes, often with range and capabilities that seem limiting when compared to what was the norm 30 years ago. This market is populated by storebought LSAs and experimental aircraft. They’re great for a $100 hamburger run, and possibly even an overnight getaway to the mountains or a beach, but the destinations need to be close, the load light and the weather good.”

Really?
An LSA can fly up to 120 knots…try that in your grandpa’s Cessna 152 or 172. And that’s while consuming less fuel and probably with a much better climb rate. True, the 172 can fit four people, if they’re typical Americans of 50 years ago, not the fatties of today, and if you’re making just a local flight.

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