OK I'll bite and chime in. I would not sign you off on a DD. It just simply is not other than the speed anything like a turbine plane. It has a low wing loading and does not have any kind of landing gear. I want to see you do a smooth and controlled landing. I want to see a go around because it happens even to the best of us. I want to see that you have control of a more complex airplane that demands a higher work load than a 3 channel diamond dust.

I think the DF is still the best test of ability. Most of us flew DF before going turbine because we did not have the choice. There is no need to spend $3000 on a DF airplane. One of the guys I fly with just sold a ready to fly Starfire for $600 to a guy that is just getting in to jets. Why not look for a similar type of deal and get the expereince, I assure you it is a worthwhile step. If you don't want to go that route I feel like a high wingloaded warbird, or a pattern plane with extra ballast would be the next best choice.


The other alternative is to go with an airplane like the new BVM Sabre. Build it as a DF airplane, get used to flying a jet then convert it with a simple conversion kit. You then are doing your first turbine flights on an airplane that you are already familiar with. (You could substitute any number of other DF airplanes for the sabre, I just happen to think it would be one of the best.)

Regardless if you come to me with a Diamond Dust I won't sign you off.

David Reid

P.S. Why should there be a compromise just because you want to fly Turbines? Pay your dues like the rest of us did and prove you are a competent pilot. Chances are if you are an advanced enough pilot to fly a turbine you already have an airplane that is suitable for doing your waiver check ride(s) call one of the waiver guys on the AMA website and tell them the options you have airplane wise. Everyone is different, but we also have a responsibility to the AMA and our fellow modelers to insure that you are ready to be flying turbine airplanes.