The Sting is a very nice airplane. But the price has gone up about
$30k since Sport Pilot got approved. It's a case of whatever the market
will bear. And it will apparently bear a lot at this point for those who
wish to continue flying and need SP to do so.

I'm afraid "toy airplanes" are going to be the wave of the future
for those who wish to fly economically. But I think that something
under $40k will be the hot item.



"Gordon Arnaut" wrote in message
...
Well I just came across another piece of advertising masquerading as an
article in Private Pilot magazine.

The author goes up on a short hop in a Sting Sport, another plastic topy
ariplane from the Czech Republic and he's raving about it like it's the
biggest thing since sliced bread. He even managed to paraphrase the famous
Neil Armstrong quote about "small steps for man...giant steps for
mankind." Man oh man.

And this "giant step" of a sportplane has a price that starts at $89,900.

Just for comparison, you can go out an buy a fully certified American
Champion Citabria for $90,900. This is a real airplane with none of the
restrictions that apply to the toy sportplanes. It has a real Lycoming
O-235 that has a TBO of 2400 hours. It has a gross weight of 1750 pounds,
which is 500 pounds more than this plastic toy sportplane.

Yet this sportplane is supposed to be some kind of bargain? How is it that
American Champion can build a certified airplane in the US at the same
price as a sportplane, if building a small airplane is so expensive?

I rest my case. If anyone really thinks these sportplanes are a great deal
and not way overpriced I have nothing further to say.

Regards,

Gordon.