Open Class Super-Ship from Windward Performance

On Aug 3, 11:14*am, wrote:

* Just because it is a kit aircarft, Homebuilt, dose'nt mean it has not been tested...

Oh, yeah, I get that. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt:

http://hpaircraft.com/hp-24/update_10_dec_11.htm

All of Windwards aircraft are tested to part 21 standards and
beyond the reason for not certifing in the Standard Catagory is cost.
With this thinking Bob there must be a lot of unethical people
out there flying experimental aircraft, or the EAA is unethical, or
building your own airplane is unethical, or you must be a left wing
tree hugger to be flying that, what an electric airplane, you fly an
experimental aircraft you must be a socialist.

That last run-on sentence makes the grammar a bit difficult to parse,
but I'll take a crack at it:

I didn't mean that those who develop, build, and operate non-
certificated multiplace aircraft are unethical. In fact, I have been
one of those people, and probably will be again.

I just happen to think that developing and testing multiplace aircraft
to a higher standard than single place aircraft has value for ethical
reasons that I have already stated: They often carry people who have
not made, and are perhaps not qualified to make, an informed decision
to ride in the machine. Therefore, the designer and builder hold an
increased obligation to protect the uninformed from the possible
consequences of such activity. Also, I happen to think, for a variety
of reasons outside the scope of this particular discussion, that this
is a bit more important for sailplanes than for powered aircraft.

I think that once you execute on this obligation to a degree
commensurate with what is at stake, you are about 90% of the way to
certification, so you might as well finish it off.

I have incredible respect for those who fought for and won our
privilege of building and operating amateur-built aircraft, and I have
a great deal of respect for the responsibility that is bound to it. I
think that the EAA is doing a good job of providing guidance and
protection for those who choose to exercise this privilege.

However, there have indeed been a few unethical people in experimental
aviation, and the sport has suffered mightily for it on occasion.
Folks who took deposits and returned only empty promises. Folks who
designed structurally inadequate aircraft that broke before even
reaching limit load. I intend to avoid, by whatever practical means,
being one of those people.

And, for the record, I am indeed a tree-hugging liberal, though not in
the strictest sense a socialist. More along the lines of a social
engineering-ist.

Thanks, and best regards to all

Bob K.
http://www.hpaircraft.com