The fact that, after the test hours are flown off, homebuilts have a better safety record than certified airplanes is an awkward fact that you choose to ignore.
How do you know what I'm ignoring? I would say that's an incorrect conclusion. Awkward? That's an unusual choice of word also. It's obvious you aren't comfortable with what I'm saying. Do you have interest in EAA?
Keep in mind, I may be at a bit of a loss because I probably don't have the information you have because I'm no longer active in general aviation. 40 years is enough and I said I don't miss it. Also, my interest was never the EAA side of general aviation. I said there's a place for a "home built," airplane, just not with me.
My first response, to your statement about the safety record of home built airplanes being greater than certified airplanes, is difficult for me to believe.
One has to take in consideration the total number of hours the airplane has on the airframe and operating systems. I cannot see a home built even coming close to accumulating these hours. Not to mention the comparing of aircraft type. Apples and oranges? Pilot error?
They are not allowed to carry passengers during the test period, so you needn't worry about that either.
I know nothing about this EAA "Test Period."
Thank you for telling me I don't have to worry. Attitude? There's a difference between "worry" and "concern."
Myself, having five ratings and two of them being "Commercial," you come in contact with many instructors, in the learning process, who BTW, may have different views about General Aviation. "Views" can be extremely different, and so can the "nature" of the instructor and the pilots, for that matter. Unfortunately, "It takes all kinds?" You have to keep in mind, that these "kinds" are just people. Just like "modelers." Good, bad and indifferent.
The thing about General Aviation, is people can die because of a Pilot's behavior and they sometimes do. A known fact.
In my opinion, there's absolutely no place for "hot shots" in the real world of responsible piloting of an airplane with or without passengers. Over the years I have experienced meeting many "hot shots", "idiots", "jerks", "fools", call them what you want, but professionals, have absolutely no use for them. And they are everywhere. They exist in droves and the numbers are increasing.
Well, you will be pleased to know that the Seawind is now, or shortly will be, an FAA certified "real airplane". I assume that will change your attitude and you will then be happy to fly it. You might even buy a model of it.
Pleased? Why would I be pleased? I personally don't care what the FAA or the EAA or EF Hutton, for that matter, has to say or do with the Seawind. If I had interest in one, it would be different, but I don't. I'm not an EAA guy and guys like me don't talk or think like EAA guys. No big deal, I'm not mad at them, but they get mad at me for being "reasonable" about my approach to GA.
As long as the Seawind is offered in kit form, I cannot see the FAA giving an AC to this airplane for commercial use. You seem to have interest in this airplane?
Would I fly in a Seawind that was built from a kit, by someone in their garage or hanger?" I don't think so. What would be the purpose or point? Fun, excitement, to be able to say I did it?
No, I will not buy the ARF Seawind model. I have absolutely no interest in it. But, as I said, it looks like a fine model and is a great looking airplane!
I can't wait to hear your opinion of the newly FAA certified Light Sport Aircraft, and (god help us) the Sport Pilot rating.
Jim, why are you taking such a negative attitude towards my views about GA? Under those conditions, conversations are no longer conversations, and they become argumentative and "nothing" gets accomplished. Unfortunately, there are many groups and people who do this deliberately, and for many reasons.
If you have interest in getting a rating and becoming a pilot, I strongly suggest you make friends with older, and more experienced Pilots. You may not like what they say, or even agree with them, but I can say first hand, they have much to offer.
The Sport Pilot Rating? Limitations, but not a bad "starting" point. One has to begin someplace.
Times change, what's wrong with that.
Did you see the movie Iron Man? Now all you need is a suit that holds two or four people, because flying someplace alone sucks.
Charles