Rob wrote:I don't understand what all the hoopla is about the mods? I suppose we should never try and come up with a better flying airplane Maybe

Mods and progress are great... But I see, and read here over and over, how folks have broken airplanes, come close to getting hurt or killed, and done some really dumb stuff, and instead of blaming themselves, they think the answer to their screw up is more horsepower, stol kits, or other mods. They aren't fixing the real cause of the problem, which is lack of skill, lack of training and experience, and most of all, lack of common sense.

I'm just saying that if you don't have the basics down pat, and work on proficiency in the specialized skills needed to operate safely in a backcountry or off road environment, you shouldn't be there until you do. Canards and other tricks might let you fake it for a while, but damn, you want to run with the big dogs you can't be dribbling pee down your leg like a puppy.

Gump

Thanks for the good discussion. I think, though I'd like to fly it, I'll pass on considering the King Katmai. This looking for the perfect plane thing has been interesting and frustrating, and I've ranged from thinking seriously about one of the new fast composites to all the taildraggers out there. I got into my Murphy with the idea I'd spend alot of time in the backcountry and after 4 years I mostly fly paved runway to paved runway. That said, I've spent alot of time working on my taildragger skills and I think I'll stick with it in my next plane

I think I'll start shopping for the perfect 180/185 and if it doesn't have the mods I want I'll look into the ones that make sense.

No one plane does it all, that's the problem.

Yea,,,,,,, 180 is fun, 185 fun too.

Mods are great, but I can see how one might be conned into thinking he/she could do something now that they have no business doing without the proper training.

I used to ride street bikes a lot, and I just cringed when seeing a teenager on his brand new Suzuki that will do 170mph off the showroom floor. "Hey, my new bike will do 170! Wanna see?"

By the way, I know where a absolutely stunning 185 might be had. From what I have seen it is better than new. New motor with virtually everything gone through. Its kept in a hanger by a collector of museum quality planes. The owner never uses it and I heard it was "sorta" for sale. Its a jewel. Let me know if interested.