On Aug 20, 5:51*pm, John Cochrane
wrote:
Gliders evolved and Cessna's remained dinosaurs. *I think we have
racing to thank for that. *Racing improves the breed.

Yeah, but that doesn't account for the fact that the cars in the movie
have evolved too. The single engine airplane (and light twin) world is
still mucking with fuel mixtures, prop speeds, cowl flaps, manual waste
gates, and the like. Gimme a break!

What we have to thank for that is the wonders of government "safety"
regulation. Car engines and parts are much more reliable than aviation
engines, which are stuck in 1950s -- but "certified" technology. It's
not worth it to certify new designs so we get stuck with the old ones.
Ultralights and light sport seem finally to be using modern technology
-- because they don't have to spend a million bucks certifying it with
the FAA.

John Cochrane

It will be interesting to see what becomes of Danny Howells attempts
to certify the LightHawk sailplane. If anyone has the wherewithall to
do it it is him, and the LightHawk is an amazing machine.

I wish him the best.

Brad