whoa guys... let me apologize if my post came across the wrong way....My post was not intended to sound offensive if thats the way it was taken. Of course we all have our opinions, and I respect others opinions 100%. All I was saying is that the co pilot would be beneficial for someone that didnt have the luxury of using an instructor. Most people that try to fly by themselves end up crashing within the first 10 seconds destroying the airplane. In my opinion, this co pilot would prevent, or at least lessen the possibility of that happening so the pilot can learn in "steps" while turning the co pilots gain down (like I did). But I dont fit into either of those situations, because I had the help of the co pilot...AND an instructor. (Greg Shane of www.2ndrcflightschool.com ) Basically it translated into me getting more "stick time" because I was able to fly the plane without a buddy box and if I got into trouble, rather than hand the TX to the instructor, I would just center the sticks and the co pilot would right the plane. I flew with him on 3 different occasions, and soloed unassisted at the end of the 3rd....with the co pilot turned off.

Consider this....If you go to FMA's website and read up on the co pilot, you will learn that it ONLY takes over when the sticks are centered. the rest of the time you have 100% control over the aircraft. If you want to fly the plane into the ground, it will do so and smash into 1000 peices. BUT, if you are diving toward the ground and you center the sticks, the co pilot will kick in and level the aircraft. It only takes over when you center the sticks.

SO knowing this, there is virtually no difference in using the co pilot and using an instructor with a buddy box. When you get into trouble that you obviously arent going to get out of yourself, something else takes over and fixes the problem for you, whether it be instructor or co pilot.

Dont get me wrong, I am soo thankful to have had my instructor there with me....he taught me fundamentals and concepts that no electrical piece could have ever taught....But again, not everyone will have an instructor. While Im at it, let me point out one thing....These were my INSTRUCTORS planes I learned on. He has a fleet of nexstars, all with the fma co pilot installed and its a well working system because I soloed on the 3rd day, and can now fly my own plane (tower 40 without any co pilot gizmos).

Anyway, my fingers are going numb now so I'll leave it at that....but the part of this post that I want to emphasize the most is that Bruce, and Ken, I didnt mean to ruffle your feathers, and Im sorry if thats the way it was taken. Just wanted to give my opinion. thx