Not sure if this belongs here or under "Kitplanes, etc." but here goes....

Back in the 80s and 90s, the Canadian Merlin had a good reputation as an affordable, rugged little plane suitable for dirt strips. Then they made the EZ Flyer, basically a Merlin wing on a Breezy-style, pusher-engine fuselage with even better visibility and even slower than the Merlin. Aerocomp picked up the Merlin and offered it for a while as an entry-level design, but seems to have dropped it now.

I was surprised to learn recently that there is still a small Canadian manufacturer and flight school, Blue Yonder Aviation, offering Merlin and EZ Flyer kits at quite reasonable prices considering the cost of a new Rotax four-stroke. So now I am curious.

Does anyone have any experience with the Merlin or EZ Flyer, old or new, and thoughts on how suitable either might be for rough and ready use in high and hot country?

Cheers,

Matthew