AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024 - 65

landing gear deployment speed requires about
five seconds of level flight at idle power, and the
constant-speed prop helps the aerodynamically
slick airframe decelerate.
With landing gear down and full flaps, Barth
advises a minimum 70 KIAS on final approach.
Smooth air and a light surface wind simplify the
task of holding that target airspeed.
Elevator forces are light but linear in the
landing flare, and increasing back-pressure
after touchdown allows the pilot to hold the
nosewheel off the ground until about 30 KIAS.
Ground roll is about 800 feet with light braking.
Darn near perfect
The benefits of MOSAIC are likely to be big, varied,
and unpredictable because myriad details
are as yet unsettled. But manufacturers making
airplanes that fit the European ultralight
category have a head start because their products
already meet the proposed outlines. The
Tarragon, JMB Aircraft, Blackshape, and Shark
all have clean stall speeds of 54 knots or less.
They're known quantities, and they could almost
certainly be imported and licensed as SLSAs as
soon as MOSAIC is finalized. These airplanes
are sleek and efficient, technologically advanced,
highly refined, and fun and exciting to fly.
They've got some built-in disadvantages,
too. Insurance companies have all but declared
war on retractable landing gear, and rates can be
punitive or unattainable for older pilots. These
airplanes also are expensive to buy despite
generally favorable exchange rates. And U.S.
customers accustomed to driving spacious
Lincoln Navigators, Cadillac Escalades, and
Chevy Suburbans (and flying Cessna 206s and
Beech Barons) are sure to find their internal
space and carrying capacity quite limiting.
But Americans also like flying far and fast
on not much gas. Rotax engines prefer unleaded
fuel, and that allows pilots who own them to
turn blissfully away from the controversies,
uncertainties, and circular debates on the future
of leaded avgas.
The Tarragon could use a few tweaks for the
View the video
aopa.org/pilot/
december24
U.S. market: A front step to ease boarding; trailing
link landing gear that's more forgiving on
hard surfaces; a larger, more robust flap switch,
and an honest-to-goodness landing gear handle
(instead of a metal switch) would be welcome
additions. And if there's a way to hold the canopy
partially open during taxi, those who live in
hot climates would appreciate it.
In general, however, the Tarragon is a
delight. It's beautifully designed and ergonomically
outstanding. Its flying qualities are
superlative.
Personally, I adore centerline seating, and
having a right-hand stick and left-hand throttle
aligns with the fundamental forces of the universe.
Throw in an acrobatic category rating of
plus-6/minus-3 Gs and the Tarragon would be
darn near perfect. dave.hirschman@aopa.org
A ballistic airframe parachute system can be
deployed via the pinned red handle on the lower
right side of the instrument panel. Carbon fiber
seats are semi-reclined and are light, firm, and
ergonomically excellent.
AOPA PILOT / September 2024
65
http://www.aopa.org/pilot/december24 http://www.aopa.org/pilot/december24
AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - December 2024
