An opportunity came up on an SLSA aircraft as my next aeroplane. On paper, it met all my requirements: SLSA or ELSA or EAB, Rotax 912 ULS powered, taildragger, tandem seating, backcountry capable and with more payload, and shorter take-off than my C140.

New Aircraft

This type (CRER) was on my short list to try out and one came up for sale in Cameron Park, CA, O61. A short 1hr flight later, I arrived - always a sporty landing at Cameron Park! The airport is in a bowl with a hill on one side and featuring a double-sloped runway “uphill both ways”.

The owners were very generous with their time, we reviewed logbooks, inspected the aircraft and everything was in order. During the test flight, it became apparent that this aircraft is too slow for my needs. 5300rpm cruise yielded only 86mph TAS and 5500rpm cruise would have pushed thermal cooling limits of this airframe.

Old Aircraft

I now appreciate my little Cessna C140 a little bit more. Even on a hot 100F Mohave day on a recent trip, I had no cooling issues and at 5-7k ft it will cruise at 110mph TAS all-day burning 5.3gal/h. I wish it was EAB, tandem seating, had shorter takeoff, more payload and Rotax smoothness :) I’ll keep looking. The list of aircraft, which at least on paper, could meet these requirements just got a whole lot shorter with elimination of CRER.