Ron Wanttaja wrote:


And yet...40% of new homebuilts are of a type that features completely
conventional design layout, a generously-sized classic aluminum
structure carrying two people and baggage, an expensive certified
engine yet a fairly low-cost airframe, and neither the fastest nor
the shortest-landing airplane on the block. The RV line is not the
best at any one thing...but Dick VanGrunsven seems to have made the
design compromises the way most airplane owners prefer them.

This is an excellent observation and one that makes me wonder why not
certified aircraft company ever built a really successful aricraft in this
vein. The kit built market has shown that there is a market for a 2
seat+bagage aircraft that is cappable of speeds that make it useful for
travel. The RVs on the high end and even the Zenith 601XL on the low end as
it is as fast or faster than a 172 and capable of carrying 2 and "some"
bagage.