The magazine review I read (AOPA? EAA?) said pretty much what you would expect.

Baron speeds on 5-6GPH instead of 25-30GPH. So the Baron needs 5x the fuel. The Baron brings 2x to 3x the number of people along and probably 4x to 6x the luggage room, so even though it's far draggier the Baron gives some utility for the extra gas.

The Risen plane has big fowler flaps and tracks that take up most of the span of the wing. It's a classic design move to wring the most performance out of the plane. It's a small low-drag wing with flaps up, a high lift wing with flaps out. But unfortunately they can't be deployed at a very high speed so descent planning is a must.

They said the handling was not like a trainer, this is a slick and fast airplane with a relatively low flap speed and it takes some planning and skill to fly it. Like a Baron or a turbo Bonanza in that respect.

Lancair IV and QuestAir and some others had near-unbelievable cruise speeds and efficiency as well compared to certified aircraft. They did not catch on with mass-market pilots or insurance companies, apparently pilots are willing to give up a lot of speed to get easy handling and more passenger/cargo room.

Everybody loves faster on less fuel but I'm not sure how well the ingredients of that tried-and-true formula—build it lighter and smaller—are compatible with a lot of modern American physiques. Both versions on the spec sheet show a bit more than ~400lbs payload with full fuel. Also keeping in mind that the advertised empty weight is an optimized figure; that's the nature of selling airplanes.


(Anybody who's shopping this kind of airplane, I'll let you in on a little secret: that payload is actually quite adequate for a two seater. You just have to walk past the junk food aisle in the grocery store and go all the way to the back, where the fresh produce is sold.)

All depends on peoples common "missions". I ended up with a 55 baron because I frequently carry 4 people and luggage, fly over hostile terrain (so wanted a multi), frequently fly in weather, and want to use relatively short (2500') runways, which rules out an Aerostar.

There will be other people where the Risen might be perfect.

Kids are all gone so an economical 2 seater is enticing although my little wife likes to stretch out in the back seat and nap or read. The big question is what will the insurance be? Also curious as to ride quality in turbulence. Except for the Glasair 2/3, my limited experiences in fast glass planes is they are bounced around like the little RVs. Since I’m 6’2 and 240, Beeches fit. Who doesn’t like a Cirrus? But the nsurance difference is way more than the extra gas. Anything with a parachute that destroys the airframe is going to be unaffordable (for me) long term.


Heresy on this site - but a M20J with speed mods is looking like a good compromise. I’ve only a couple hundred hours in them, but ride is good. Give up room. Love the twin Comanches and Travel Airs for multi economy but if you need to haul 4 big people and bags you can’t beat a baron