I have been exploring some of the same planes as you. Possibly
on the top of the list is the North Star, but I don't want to spend
that much money.
I suggest that you give the Rans S-7 Courier a look. It has had
many reviews including one by the CAFE Foundation. Rans has also
managed to certify a version with the FAA (the S-7C) under the
Primary category. Both the kit and the certified S-7 will meet
the Sport Pilot (as we currently know it) and a recent thread on the
builders list on VGs brings the stall down even lower.
I have visited a builder and came away very impressed with the
construction. He was also very into the KitFox but became sold on
the S-7. He still hangs out with the KitFox guys. I am looking
forward seeing and learning more about the S-7 at Oshkosh.
After 2 years of looking at many different designs, the S-7 is
looking very good.
Good Luck,
Bob Collins
Sunnyvale CA USA
PS. A flight in a Cessna 150 20 years ago was so unexciting that I
didn't go for my PP until recently. Currently I fly Citabrias,
Champs and Cubs.
bransom@dcsol.com wrote:
<snip>
Other planes I'm considering are primarily a Kitfox5. The Rebel is much nicer
in being a metal plane (IMO), has much better baggage volume and access, and a
few other advantages. But, so far, pilot reports on the KF are that 40mph
stall is accurate, and apparently Skydance has a different flaperon now that
gets their Vso even a tad lower. I will get myself a ride at some point to see
for myself. It still somewhat surprises me that experimental category designs
seem to have had a somewhat tougher time outdoing commercial options (notably
supercub) in the STOL and getting_it_slow category. Very notable exceptions
(in the 2-place size) are the "take-offs" from the supercub such as the North
Star and DakotaCub. These appear to be real gems, and yeah, they have prices
to match. With fences and leading edge cuffs on the Dakota, did you see
the 'builder completion' report in a recent Sport Aviation with the comment of
17mph stall!? I'm not really after a helicopter, and although I'm just your
layman armchair aerodynamicist, it still seems hard to figure why nobody has
gotten a Rebel or KF mod that would keep them flying at 30mph.
Hope you all don't mind my bringing up other aircraft on the Rebel list -- I'm
just wanting to see what you guys think on some of the comparitive trade-offs.
Thanks again,
-Ben Ransom
my past pop-can fun at http://mae.ucdavis.edu/~ransom
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