Originally Posted by
jester_s1
I agree with init4fun. I call the systems electronic training wheels. I didn't use one as a beginner, but I imagine after a while the SAFE system starts to become annoying just like training wheels do. Yes, absolutely a plane needs more space with SAFE than without since you can't do a hard bank and yank turn. Of course, I always recommend to beginners that if they can see a tree they can hit it, so try to get as much open space as possible. Sure, an instructor is better. But SAFE makes it possible for people to go it alone that wouldn't have been able to before. I'm a fan.
Electronic training wheels , Jester , you nailed it ! What a perfect description of what SAFE is and how it should be used !
Just as a student with a human instructor is expected to , the hopeful presumption would be that once the student of the electronic teacher develops skills beyond needing the electronic mentor , the real push would then be on themselves to want to fully learn to fly . Although I guess there may be some who would want the plane to fly itself for their entertainment , I'd like to think far more would choose to entertain themselves by skillfully flying the plane , pushing themselves beyond beginner status up to doing the loops , rolls , and hammerheads that you mention (which I also agree with , anyone above beginner had best be able to do at least those three)