Wow,
131 MPH in the pattern no that would be fun where I fly, if only I had a way to get the DA20's and 172's out of my way as I pass them at KSDL or KFFZ.
Though the guys lined up on the hold short line at KSDL in Learjets and Gulfstreams might stop fuming about my 65kt final
Seriously, I am interested in the TV issue as the gearbox worries me a bit, but it is a 15K difference I see folks willing to forgive a lot for 15K. (FYI TV issue just lit up another Viking concern for me too, need to learn more)
So instead of beating Jan up (I think he has taken a lot of punishment on the Subaru issue, and he could have folded and hidden, but learned (hopefully) something and is doing something different) maybe there are folks on here who can help, anyone have or know how to borrow the equipment to do TV testing???
The idea here is furthering aviation and keeping costs down. Jan is trying to feed himself as are all small business owners, Rotax, Lycoming, etc. are feeding money hungry corporate shareholders, maybe that is a big part of the problem.
Look at the 1 LSA put out by a major manufacturer the "skycatcher" I would pay 134K and it would way 860 lbs empty (to match my 65K (viking engine) or 79K (rotax) RV12 weighing 720-730 lbs.), can't take anyone with me in the skycatcher (no diet jokes please).
Folks I am a new Sport Pilot, If you have not noticed there are not a lot of pilot starts,
1.) guys like me in their mid 30's frown on flying planes built before we were born (warbirds excluded, rides always accepted
2.) finding an airplane to fly is not that easy, There are two that I know of (LSA Airplane >87kts) available in all of AZ for rent (1) piper sport, and (1) Skycatcher.
I have been two 5 flight schools advertising LSA who no longer have planes as leasebacks pulled out. I asked a few owners why they don't have any and they all had the same answer cost and ROI, getting a new 120 - 140K LSA is not cost economic to a flight school (unless they are huge)
Something has to be done to lower aviation costs for all of us, Jan has the start on the right track.
(Disclaimer, I do not know and have never met Jan but spent dozens of hours reading about the viking, the honda fit, and most importantly the subaru issues).