markmn

Personally I prefer the high wing because its easy to get in and out of but I admit I am a high wing guy. The Astore is not hard to get in and out of but just not as easy as the 2008. The 2008 is a bit longer and larger than the Astore and thus handles turbulence and cross wind landings a bit better. Overall both the Astore and P2008 are just physically larger than other LSAs so there is not a lot of difference. Although we occasionally see a pilot switch from high to low wing or vise versa it doesn't happen often. Both the P2008 and the Astore are great planes just like the Flight Design and because I like one better doesn't mean others will. I recommend getting a test flight in every aircraft you can! Mark

Yes there will likely be some carb maintenance on the 912ULS and the 914 but overall we have seen less issues than on the 912is. The 912is is the first full fadec aviation engine with auto lean of peak and it has been a challenge. I have full confidence Rotax will get it 100% but as of today I'm still more comfortable behind the carb engines. Mark

Hi, Mark Gregor from Advanced Aircraft/Tecnam US here. I hope you don't mind me responding but the post is referencing a Tecnam after all! We end up discussing pros and cons of the Rotax engines regularly. All three Rotax engines are offered by Tecnam because we believe they are all good viable choices. It just depends on what you want. The 912ULS is a well proven engine at a low price. The 912is is the latest in technology, full fadec w automatic lean of peak operation below 97% power. Impressive but no more horsepower than the ULS and likely less in many conditions. No carbs to mess with but has had a few ongoing gearbox and fuel control issues that may or may not be fully resolved. Definitely much better than when it was first released though. The 914 is a mature design but the turbo can be additional maintenance if a few basic care rules are not followed. The last 914s we delivered had carb leaks at high manifold pressure settings. Was easily resolved by a good Tech but goes to show nothing is ever perfect. With that said and nearly 1500 hours divided between all three Rotax engines the 914 is nearly always my first choice to pull out of the hangar. I like the 914 because it is smoother, quieter and substantially more powerful! The first time I flew the P2008 with the 914 i was very surprised how much stronger it was. Really sets you back in the seat compared to the 912. Takeoff roll is substantially reduced. The 914 cruises at 35 inches manifold continuous. At this setting the 914 is making a lot more horsepower that a 912. 40 inches manifold or 115% power as Rotax calls it is limited to 5 minutes. When I hear negativity about the 914 it is nearly always from someone who has never flown behind one. Disadvantages? A $20,000 more than the ULS and $8,000 more than the 912is! Mark Gregor Gregorma@bevcomm.net 507-3279465

Many of you know me but for those who do not I have represented Tecnam aircraft since 2010 when the first P2008s were sold. Flight Design builds a great aircraft and has a strong following. This is proven by the sales numbers and the enthusiastic owners right here on this forum. There is no doubt it is a good product. With that said I am confident most will find the Tecnam easier to handle and more stable in flight and turbulence. This is based both on my experience and customers who have flown the CTLS, CTSW and the P2008. The P2008 is plainly a larger, longer and heavier aircraft. The first P2008s came to market in 2010, at that time a majority of the CTSWs and CTLSs were already in the hands of the customer. Tecnam was still using a distributor here in the US and they were not actively marketing the product. I do question the comment that the P2008 is 5.5 inches narrower that the CT. I agree the CT is slightly wider but not a lot. Paolo Pascale the president of tecnam is 6'6" tall and easily fits in the P2008. Baggage space behind the seats of the P2008 is clearly larger than the storage space of the CT. Possibly these comparisons were mistaken with our older P92 model? Mark Gregor Tecnam US Inc. 507-327-9465