Daniel,

Tell us more about the performance of these planes. I gathered a few facts about cruise speeds, range, etc. but I'd rather hear them from someone who flies one.

A guy I knew learned otherwise in his 51.

RIP

Dude, 'Airline Killer?' Seriously? It's an amateur built experimental which operates in the altitudes where all the weather and ice is, without weather radar or proper de-icing equipment. Don't get me wrong, I demo'd the Evolution last year and loved the plane (although I think they are insanely priced). It flew beautifuly for a turboprop, but this is a fair weather toy. It's not even a TBM killer, let alone an airline killer!

Commenting that an evolution is an amateur built experimental removed all further credibility of your opinion, regardless of what you fly or what you have flown

That is why it is a "Experimental"
I am not a aeronautical engineer, but Looking at the fuselage, and almost tripling the horse power of a cirrus.... You know that this rudder is not big enough.
Full power on the go round, and the horizon will not look the same very soon.

Left in an average pilot's hands this rocket will be very dangerous.

Are you guys aware that all of our planes have operating limitations? He just stated takeoffs and go arounds are not full power.....

Call and ask an underwriter if you can insure your evo as a low time pilot, the answer is not yes for a reason, the small fleet has a great safety record, as for the price....have you priced a new pt6 and corresponding prop? It's a large chunk of it

Okay, professional built experimental. Better?
Kevin

Yeah, we need to call the FAA Inspectors who issued all of these Airworthiness Certificates and tell them they screwed up:



Don't get me wrong, I love the plane. I spent about an hour in it, and I have 500+ hours across half a dozen IV-P's (a plane I also love, despite it's short comings). Let's just not kid ourselves about what they are.

You would be surprised. The Evolution is actually a very docile and excellent handling aircraft. It's a huge improvement over the IV!

Dude, 'Airline Killer?' Seriously? It's an amateur built experimental which operates in the altitudes where all the weather and ice is, without weather radar or proper de-icing equipment. Don't get me wrong, I demo'd the Evolution last year and loved the plane (although I think they are insanely priced). It flew beautifuly for a turboprop, but this is a fair weather toy. It's not even a TBM killer, let alone an airline killer!

Hi Wolf pack. ...to each his own; but of course reality is perceived in so many ways that is the fun part of being here! and it all goes down to the mission. These "Experimental" planes have been a "step up" for well heeled guys that quickly out-grow to go up to a Jet and the opposite, CEO´s that are retiring and understand costs of operating a PC-12 / TBM and the Evo fits quite well for their 150 hrs they "wish" to fly.
* I would not venture into weather like I would in a Twin KA / PC-12 with Radar. But I am not convinced a TBM or Meridian which is aluminum riveted together is built any stronger than the Evo: newer CAD Design technology with the latest carbon fiber materials even if it´s thought off as a "plastic plane" glued together. We have seen Certified TBM´s that go into icing conditions and have fallen in parts. I know of an Evo mishap landing gear up and the airframe is so strong -that there was no damage to the wings and airframe; fixed incredibly quickly and in a week it was operational. Another was hit by lightning and apparently after PT6 inspection all was good. These planes are for people that "don´t have to get there" and can plan their agenda for fair weather. If you are a single pilot that flies less than 200 hrs a year you probably should not fly in dense IFR or Icing...right??
On the comment that 850 HP is too much; well....it certainly is!! at low FL´s as stated above, that is why you take off with less power and it BURNS fuel down low! The PT6 -42 Engine probably gives +/-550 HP @ FL 240 and perhaps 500 HP @ FL 280 so the airframe is a match for that HP at those FL´s. Greg Cole designed the wing. Know about the PERLAN PROJECT?

PROS: 850 HP Evo.
- 39-40 Gal / HR @ 300 kts TAS.
- Fuel Capacity: Standard 168 gal + 30 Gal of Aux. Nice range huh!! What about head winds?...do the math... bummer!. * Start dreaming about jets, good economy & lottery tickets...
- True 4 passenger + Bags Airplane with full fuel. (Not NFL line-backers of course)
- PT6 Turbine reliabilty / Most builders add EMER Power Lever & extra fuel pump.
- low landing speed / Beta
- Pressurized
- Now with a BRS designed for the aiframe @ much lower weight.
- Once the Airframe is dialed inn it is amazing! Great dispatch reliability. (which can become a hassle if you don´t have the patience & time). * I would probably buy a dialed inn plane now that I have gone through it all.
CONS.-
- The aircraft is new and is maturing. Systems are improving at a quick pace. Things are getting only better with so many safe fleet hours.
- Weather: Hit in the nail! No radar POD. * Apparently working on this. But if you fly in the U.S. there is XM.
- ICING: No EXPERIMENTAL Airplane can fly in "known Icing".- With that being said to "evade" sudden encounter there is boots with 15 kts penalty. Thermawing and maybe soon TKS..
- Expensive Insurance. - Anyone who gets the Obligatory training (Which is great!) and gets signed off by the awesome instructors WILL be insurable a low time pilot like me

To everyone commenting about the size of the control surfaces.... take it easy! The size of the control surface is somewhat irrelevant without knowing the arm it is located at. A small aileron can be sufficient on a large wingspan. Same goes for the rudder if it has a long arm.

Ever wonder why the 747SP has a larger vertical stab? Because of the shorter arm when compared to a regular 747.

Then why is it limited to 55% power in takeoff. Not disputing what you are saying, it just seems like you couldn't have a rudder large enough for that much power at slow speeds.
Kevin

Yes it lacks ice protection but it won't forever. It's still a new airplane. If it had ice protection and radar it'd be perfect. In 3000 hours I've never "needed" my ice protection. Yes, I'm happy I have it though. Cirrus should buy the Evolution and make it their next airline. Yes, with those upgrades it's an airline killer.

You go "full power" in a Bonanza because a Bonanza doesn't have enough power. Now every plane has to go full power to do a go around. Plus, this has already be addressed in the thread.