Jeff Runciman wrote:
Thank you for all of your help.

It turns out the ASW is 50,000. The Cirrus makes me
a bit nervous with the tail (attaching and flying)

I've not had much to do with Cirrus's - but I have had to deal with the
same all flying tail plane on a borrowed Nimbus 2 whilst my 2c was in
for repairs (see
http://www.hart.wattle.id.au/alice/a...ice3mar04.html).

I too was somewhat twitched at the stories I had heard about the all
flying tail and its sensitivity, so my first launch had me waiting in
some apprehension - which was completely unwarranted.

Whilst the all flying tail does mean that you shouldn't let go off the
stick at high speed (or even for long at low speed) it does not make the
aircraft unstable in pitch. It's certainly more sensitive in pitch and
PIOs are easier to do - but remember a PIO is a PILOT induced
oscillation and not a problem with the aircraft!

As for rigging and making sure the elevator is correctly attached, it is
a bit difficult at first, but after a couple of goes it didn't present a
great problem.

I did however do an extremely careful loaded control check as part of
the DI (get someone to hold the all flying tail to restrict its movement
and then firmly move the control column) to ensure that it truly was
attached and not just 'resting'!

I would suggest you don't rule out a Cirrus just because of the
'stories' about the all flying tail. It is my experience that these are
exaggerated - but do of course contain a kernel of truth as noted above!

Robert