Jonathan Goodish wrote:
In article .com,
wrote:
* Numerous Cirrus owners have commented that trimming the plane to
hands-off is difficult and that they rely on the A/P for enroute
flying. Then again, who would drive a car today without power steering?
Perhaps this is the SATS-type future of GA.


Power steering doesn't drive the car for you. An autopilot flies the
plane for you.

No, but if your power steering fails, you probably call the towtruck.
And if you don't, your wife definitely does. That's my point- the
autopilot basically becomes an MEL item in these planes.

With all due respect to those who have purchased SR20/SR22 aircraft, I
wouldn't buy one if someone handed me the money. In my opinion, the
money is better spent on more proven designs.

I'm a little less chary of it, though I prefer the Lancair (from a
distance) because of their attention to the cabin crash dynamics. IIRC
they poached some of the guys who worked on the Diamond planes which
have an absolutely amazing safety record, especially the Katana. This
plus airbags has for me a lot more safety value than CAPS, which
protects you in comparatively few circumstances. However, it seems to
me that in terms of fundamental philosophy, both the Columbia and SR
series planes seem to be designed to be flown like corporate jets-
takeoff, turn on George, disconnect, flare and land. Considering the
comparative safety record thi might be the wiser approach.

-cwk.