Originally Posted by
magpienja
From the little I know, is the nose wheel not a bit on the weak side?
I don't think so. There was a lot of fuss a few years ago when the CAA decided (wrongly in just about everybody else's opinion) that the maingear was dangerous and grounded them all.
Since that, the entire fleet has new (and certainly better) main undercarriages, so that is pretty much a non-issue.
I've flown Shadows a reasonable amount, and the Streak seems one of the best models (for microlight pilots, I'd rate the CD highest personally). I can offer a few thoughts:
- Don't plan on regularly carrying adult passengers, the rear cockpit just isn't up to it.
- Buy an ANR headset
- Never plan on storing it out of doors routinely
- The ASI overreads by about 20% in the cruise, and the altimeter by about 150ft, because some idjit put the static inside the cockpit
- The aeroplane is much better with an extended range "belly" fuel tank and under-floor footwell extension in the back.
Those criticisms aside, it's a fantastically enjoyable aeroplane to fly, with easy docile handling, and over the last couple of years very cheap to buy.
G