In article .com,
"Kingfish" wrote:

Jay Honeck wrote:

snip account of ludicrously fast airplane

I had a similar experience earlier this year, although in a slower
airplane, when a local guy took me for a ride in his RV-6A. Besides
being a snug fit for two 6-footers my biggest impression was how
sensitive the stick was to pitch inputs. That plane has to be flown
like a helicopter by resting your forearm on your leg and using your
wrist, otherwise you overcontrol the plane. Once I got the feel down
(flying with fingertip control) I was able to hold altitude within
100ft or so. Nice to cruise at 150kt while only burning 8gph. The plane
did feel a bit squirrely during a xwind landing, but that's probably
more due to my unfamiliarity with the type more than anything else.

I've seen one of those Swearingens at my home drome a few years back. I
recall the track of the main gear looked impossibly narrow.
Coincidentally I recently talked to a lady who lost her father-in-law
in an SX-300 some years ago. The NTSB determined the cause as pilot
error - while that seems to be the default response when they can't
find any other cause, I'd imagine it wouldn't be hard to get bitten by
such a hotrod if you get behind the airplane.

I have met Jay's friend, when he came down here to Spruce Creek, for an
SX get-together. I haven't flown his plane, but have flown two others.

No -- they are NOT twitchy! You just have to fly them with your
fingertips and toetips -- NOT with your arm! They are great planes, with
a very complex landing gear system, and are fun in formation.

When you fly with your fingertips, you realize just how bad some planes
fly -- they feel like trucks, rather than sports cars. My friend with an
SX flew my Rocket (similar feel) and asked why Beech, Piper and Cessna
don't make planes that fly this way. My response was that Ford, Chrysler
and GM could make a Porsche, but choose not to.