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.


There are some hopeful signs in this direction. The general aviation
press is starting to talk about FADEC
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FADEC) retrofits for the general aviation
airplane engine. If, as is likely, 100LL fuel is to disappear, the
larger engines will require some type of electronic engine control. Off
topic, I know, sorry.

Tony, LS6-b "6N"