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  1. smoothwaterman

    Crashes in the News - Thread

    Sorry Ron, ATP yes, but how much time can one have in an Icon? He may have more than most as a regional sales guy for them.
  2. smoothwaterman

    Crashes in the News - Thread

    Low time Icon pilots made a bad decision in leaving the water. (There are no high time Icon pilots) The Icon is underpowered for any sort of climb rate, and this incident displays it, but once the initial bad decision was in the books, there was no way out short of flying into the trees vs...
  3. smoothwaterman

    Crashes in the News - Thread

    Aircraft structure design is quite always a compromise involving perceived risk and a balance to weight and performance. The Kitfox in particular and some other models seem to have a tendency to hinge at the lower firewall point and fold inward onto the occupants upon a frontal collision as was...
  4. smoothwaterman

    Crashes in the News - Thread

    Bad deal all around. Two experienced, known and well liked pilots. I don't believe they were attempting to land, but rather possibly got caught in a tight canyon (similar to the icon incident). Some speculation based on the accident site that a wingtip caught and swung the aircraft into the...
  5. smoothwaterman

    Icon A5 Update - No Deliveries!?!

    The harder data point to check is how many went to an “icon flight training center” and how many actually went to an end user. I’d be curious to know how many production slot reservations and deposits were refunded or lost since inception. If you look at investor and funding turnovers it’s not...
  6. smoothwaterman

    Whatever became of ......

    The 2nd generation was the Ascender, the side by side with top mounted tractor engine. Had an power loss and put it in a lake last year as I recall, but retrieved it and assume it was or will be flying again.
  7. smoothwaterman

    Bob Barrows accident in Bearhawk LSA

    The depiction of the race car driver is a good reference for the belt attachment points, but keep in mind that it doesn't mean the the driver/pilot has to be in a reclined position, as BJC noted, that doesn't work best for aerobatics. Each aircraft is different, but the relationship between the...
  8. smoothwaterman

    Bob Barrows accident in Bearhawk LSA

    Crow is a source, one of many. While I don’t agree with them being the “best” for me, it is a very subjective term and may be the best for you. Something to pass along as experimental builders/owners/pilots, you can install the harness of your choice, without needing a field approval, 337, (or...
  9. smoothwaterman

    Bob Barrows accident in Bearhawk LSA

    That’s why you want a properly mounted 5 or 6 point harness. The crotch strap is the critical link that ties everything together, and in my opinion helps hold the upper deck and lower fuselage together in a crash as well. I walked away from a nasty cub crash, in part due to my 6 point harness.
  10. smoothwaterman

    Crash in Haddam CT today

    No, not referring to your post. :) You're good.
  11. smoothwaterman

    Crash in Haddam CT today

    Apparently there was one in NJ for sale awhile back. https://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/aircraft-design-aerodynamics-new-technology/9197-freedom-master-airshark-amphibian.html data: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=188827
  12. smoothwaterman

    Crash in Haddam CT today

    This one spun in. Based on the location of the airport on the other side of the river, and the video, it's not a long jump to say it looks like a stall/spin during turn back, or during an overpulled turn. Sad day. No crash should be made light of. Plane crashing into Haddam house caught on...
  13. smoothwaterman

    Crash in Haddam CT today

    Amateur video capture is online - appears to be an Osprey.
  14. smoothwaterman

    Crash in Haddam CT today

    Thanks Dana, based on the hull that is visible I am assuming it's a homebuilt seaplane, but I can't place the type. Unless I'm missing wing components and more, it's unusual to have what appears to be a trike config and both that wing and v-shape under the tail section. Hope the pilot recovers...
  15. smoothwaterman

    Crash in Haddam CT today

    ? Do you know the aircraft?
  16. smoothwaterman

    Crash in Haddam CT today

    Can anyone identify the aircraft type? Looks like an amphibious (seaplane) hull, with strut less wings, tapered on ends. Or maybe not? Kathryn's Report: Accident occurred July 23, 2016 in Haddam, Middlesex County, Connecticut
  17. smoothwaterman

    Power of UL POWER AERO ENGINES ?

    That seemed to be the general consensus from the aircraft mfg's that I spoke with at Sun/Fun. Underlying tone was they doubted the horsepower output without really saying it.
  18. smoothwaterman

    Icon A5 Update - No Deliveries!?!

    In respect to earlier comments, the Searey by Progressive Aerodyne already has a long history, outperforms the ICON, and is attainable new in the 140-160k range any day. It lacks the marketing machine ICON has, and the pure sex appearance, but pilots want good performing airplanes, and the...
  19. smoothwaterman

    Archon?

    From what I can tell, a homebuilt.... in it's truest form. Questionable and underpowered? :) https://youtu.be/V8C0T1y9_yw
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