The more events I attend, the more I see the speed requirement is NOT the real issue. I see more pilots get into trouble due to the complexity of the aircraft, and not the speed.

In reality, there is little difference in flying an aircraft at 100mph or 200mph other than the fact that it covers ground faster. The flight characteristics of the aircraft itself don't change much if at all.

But now you throw in landing gear, flaps, speed brakes, wheel brakes, etc. and many new pilots will simply be overwhelmed. IMO the waiver should not focus so much on speed as making sure you can keep your head when flipping the required switches to change flight configurations.

A Diamond Dust is a terrible aircraft to prep for turbine flight IMO. It has ZERO complexity of operation, and a wing loading that will get you out of stupid mistakes unlike ANY turbine aircraft on the market.

You're much better off working with a more realistically loaded aircraft with retractable landing gear at least, and preferably flaps or more.

Doug Cronkhite
Team JR