Jim,

 

One of the main reasons I bought the ES is because of safety.  I had to give up those juicy cruise speeds and "settle" for 195 kts.  Once I got over the fixed gear thing, real men fly retractables, I knew that I would have a very quick aircraft that was easy to fly.  So now I fly the slowest Lancair, that's like saying I have a slow Porsche.

 

In conversations with the Lancair sales staff, they feel more people should be buying ES's.  But the faster planes are the ones that are selling.  I think a healthy respect for the IVP's and the two-seaters is necessary.

 

Is it that the ES is inherently safer?  Or is it that the people who buy an ES have a different attitude towards flying?  Maybe both.  The IV, Legacy, and 360 pilots that I know seem to be very safe pilots.  Who knows?

 

Mike Easley

Colorado Springs