Navions

I currently have a 150hp Piper TriPacer that I've upgraded pretty well but
I'm beginning to feel the need for a larger airplane. Not necessarily a
huge step up in speed and range but more in room and stability. It's hard
to fit two larger fellows into a TriPacer even if the weight isn't a
problem.

I've looked at Cherokee 180s, Cessna 182s / 210s and am becoming more and
more interested in Navions. The popular culture says that they are well
(0ver) built and very stable and allegely easy to fly. I'm hoping someone
could help me with ...

How do they perform on the E185 Continental
Are the hydraulics hard to maintain or troublesome
Are there any major AD gotchas that I should be careful of
Would they be harder to fly than, say, a Piper Arrow in terms of being a
complex aircraft?
Are they certified in Normal and Utility catagories (ie, can they be spun
intentionally?)

I have my commercial and instrument ratings and about 500 hrs TT.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Rod Wagoner
Tucson, AZ