Post
by Nigel Hitchman » Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:53 pm
I flew a French flying club Emeraude for quite a few years, inc two long trips to the UK for the PFA rally. It was a fine touring aircraft with good vis and nice handling, but it did suffer when fully loaded on a hot day, it did have a fairly old C-90. But then again fully loaded was probably two 90kg plus people and full fuel (two tanks) and baggage. I found it wasnt getting off the ground that was so much of a problem, more getting much of a rate of climb for a while, very slow acceleration, not sure if it had a cruise prop though.
This Emeraude flew very nicely until it had a restoration, the old paintwork was a bit thin and drab, but with the nice shiney new paintwork, it seemed much heavier and didnt fly nearly so nicely!
Several people I know operate Emeraudes and tour a lot and find it a good aircraft.
I agree with the Champ but its slower, another possibility is a Cessna 120/140 but make sure you get one on a permit there are a few on C of As. A tall yorkshireman I know had one and then when he got rid of it, found it difficult to find another aircraft to fit in. He now has a nice Piper Colt, but the problem with that is its on a C of A (and has the wheel at the wrong end!)
