Sport cruisers are my enemy.

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1E-12@reddit

How the eff did you fly 7 hours without stopping for a bathroom break?

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

Don’t get me wrong I had a fuel stop at the fbo about halfway but I was on the ground for maybe 5 mins. Didn’t want the weather to deteriorate.

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1E-12@reddit

Oh good point I didn't even think about fuel

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

Yeah the climb was tough. Had to circle near the base of the mountains until I could pass over, definitely ate some fuel.

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helm8501@reddit

I used to fly one in Colorado, pretty surprised you did some mountain flying with one with that little 100hp engine. Someone could fart on the ground and you’d still get knocked around in that plane.

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

I flew into Colorado here actually haha, yeah there were some drafts that deflected my still full left or right and the pucker factor was extreme.

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KingJellyfishII@reddit

next time you get one of those drafts quickly bank 45° in the opposite direction that it moved your stick, reduce speed to min sink and power to idle to save some fuel :p

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

Thanks pimp I’ll add that to the mental checklist

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

COS

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MoreSpoiler@reddit

I do mountain flying in a 65hp plane, works great for a speed and range booster if you understand wind.

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It's climb performance, knowing the terrain, and knowing the winds. That's how you fly in yhe mountains of Colorado. You don't need a lot of climb performance if you are good at the terrain and winds. But you have to fly in the mountains extensively to be able to do that.

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Silverbullet_196v2@reddit

I did my time building in the DA-20, D-40, and the Sport Cruiser in Utah. The cruiser is an awesome little plane but man any flight over 2 hours long was brutal with how slow their ground speed is. During one flight, a classmate and I decided to go fly over a couple of the national parks in southern Utah with him taking the Cruiser and myself taking a DA-40. He left about 30 minutes before I did, I ended up passing him about an hour into the 4 hour flight, got to our first stop about 45 minutes before he did, and got back to home about an hour and half before he did. Love the Cruiser but the Diamonds have my heart haha

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Wasatcher@reddit

The 40 is such a great little plane. Crazy how much better the performance is than a 172

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Beautiful_Exchange_3@reddit

How is the da40 in turbulence? Currently own a DA20 and it’s too light for the NW. basically have to wait for calm winds unless you want to get tossed around. Gradually increasing my tolerance for summery turbulence but I decide I need a bigger airplane

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Wasatcher@reddit

It's max gross is about 900 more than a 20 which helps but at the end of the day it's still a light single. I fly in Utah and the mountain wave will still toss you around. I did my private and CFI in the 20 and while you get tossed around less in a 40 it sure is fun whipping the 20 around. It's a nimble little plane, and you can't spin it's big brother.

The 40 performance is where it really shines. Thing climbs way better than a 172 (and 20 obviously), cruises faster, comes standard with a constant speed prop & G1000. The 172 beats it when it comes to CG though. You can load a 172 pretty much however you want but it's not hard to push the forward CG limit of a 40.

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NoDistribution9217@reddit

Flew the same line up and state during my training. Pretty much most I agree with. The 40 does still get absolutely rocked 🤮 I didn’t find the seats comfy (hard and worn out, engine vibrations up your spine the whole time). Did enjoy it more than the 20 but I didn’t enjoy the 20 very much at all. Now… I would personally take the 172 any day over the Diamonds! I like the way they fly better, I like being shaded and not having a bright white wing reflecting the sun into your view, like seeing down below me, seats are more comfy, and it just felt more like actually flying an airplane. Especially love the 182!

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Last-Amphibian-341@reddit

I did my commercial in a sport cruiser in Utah. I actually really enjoyed it after awhile. That long cross country was memorable though.

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Dmackman1969@reddit

Sportscruiser and most LSA in general are a dream to fly versus a 150/152/172. I find my sling is far superior to the SC which was my first/training aircraft. 500 hours in LSAs I love them.

I’ve taken mine up to 12000 and still had climb rates of 3-350fpm where a 150/152 is pretty much done.

Comfortable as hell compared to most GA aircraft as well. I’ve done a few 7+ hour trips in them and feel better than sitting in a car for that long.

That canopy? Ouch, I remember the latches could miss on closing…and could be damaged easily. Never had it pop open though.

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fly_ingmachine@reddit

I also have a Sling and totally agree. I’ve been in a few other light sports and they felt janky. My sling EAB feels solid and is well equipped. I would love to be a little faster, but you can’t beat the fuel economy! But I also can’t wait to see what new heavier faster options come out of mosaic ✌️

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Dmackman1969@reddit

Yea, my cruise of 95-105kn is aok with me when I’m getting 3.5-3.7 gph.

I love to fly so idc it takes me a bit longer to get there.

The Sling is a great aircraft.

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

I do like how light the controls are and they are fairly comfy

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Dmackman1969@reddit

Fighter jet. Center stick is awesome.

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

Yeah I can really feel the Gs

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MoreSpoiler@reddit

Never liked them, I recall one axis of controls was much more sensitive than the other.

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strikky@reddit

Totally agreed, found the pitch sensitivity borderline dangerous at cruise speeds. There were two fatal accidents I am aware of where this was a contributing factor.

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Comprehensive_Door_1@reddit

I bought into a partnership for a 2010 SportCruiser to learn to fly with. Such a fun experience with some pretty nice features. Hoping to explore the quiet airstrips around central and west Texas once I get my license.

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realopticsguy@reddit

I've flown a CTSW from Texas to WI dozens of times. I learned how to read skew-T charts so I don't bump my head on the roof of the plane. It's great to fly 850 nm on 35 gallons of unleaded, but that comes at a price.

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frankcanfly@reddit

I love my Sport Cruiser! It checks all my boxes.

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praceful_squirrel@reddit

My Sport Cruiser is a blast to fly… Dynon glass, autopilot, chute, etc. only complaint is that it’s slow as Christmas. But great little time builder!

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anaqvi786@reddit

I’ve sold a few (ran a tiny sales operation selling em used). Flew coast to coast in them a bunch. Once you’re east of the Rockies they’re pretty smooth and fun to fly. Anything west and you’re gonna get tossed around good. Flying them around in LA was not fun if there was any wind because of mechanical turbulence.

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youngbus1141@reddit

Which route over the Rockies?

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

Provo canyon and over heber

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flyingforfun3@reddit

I delivered one across the country before but headed east. 7 hours in that seat gets exhausting. I did enjoy short flights in them though.

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baby-shart@reddit

How can you be so sure you flew all 7 hours straight without an ADI? /s

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

Ah I get it

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

Left at sunrise landed close to sunset but still had good light. Maintained vfr the whole time.

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Nighthawk-FPV@reddit

I love the sport cruisers, probably one of the best aircraft to train on and have some fun with.

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

Yeah they are more of a quick trip plane. I fly others with better avionics and even autopilots and that’s more enjoyable for me. Easy to push back to parking tho lol.

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YamComprehensive7186@reddit

Looks like a good time builder, did you buy or renting?

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Valuable-Shelter-863@reddit (OP)

Was relocating it for the flying club I’m a part of. I do that flight once every couple months.

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Flew this bird 7 hours straight. Over the Rocky Mountains, through bravos, dodging absolutely terrifying clouds. All in a plane that weighs pretty much nothing. Canopy had trouble staying locked and unlatched shortly after takeoff. No adi was also a pain and having to climb up to altitude for 30 mins then back down for more air. All in all good trip to polish up some stick and rudder skills.

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