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Welcome to the forum, Jonathan! I See you flew a Remos previously? I trained in a Remos and liked that aircraft. Glad you’re here and flying a Sportcruiser!

Same from me, Todd... Welcome! Jump on in, water’s warm! 😉😁

Welcome James! Agreed with Dave and Deltafox on what a beautiful aircraft you have there! You're not too far from Florida, and there's a lot of general aviation (and Sportcruiser) activity there.

Really? There was a Sportcruiser gathering in Fresno? Dang, I missed out!

CSA posted more photos up on Facebook. I saw the photos and am wondering... what are those hoses on the bottom left (right in the photo) of the cowling, and what’s that other thing dangling down on the right side of the cowling?

That Draco is AMAZING! Check out this video from Trent Palmer - forward to 7:20 mark and you can see how slow Draco can approach and land. MIND BLOWN!

Oops! Sorry guys! Didn’t mean to burst any bubbles. And remember, I’m a West Coast guy, so “dry heat” is what I’m used to. People obviously camp under the wings, and they seem to do OK. I’m just old enough that creature comforts matter to me. For example, sleeping on the ground with no other padding other than a blanket doesn’t work for me anymore. Heck, sleeping in a truck bed doesn’t work either. It’s an RV or a hotel for me anymore. And I want that AC and hot shower at the end of a long, sweaty day. Yeah, I’ve become high maintenance in my older age. On the flip side, there’s deep fried cheese curds... and they’re GOOD! And there’s Culver’s for burgers and custards, and they’re good too! And gosh if the people aren’t just really nice out in Wisconsin. I think next year, I’ll attend again. I’ll likely fly commercial and stay in Green Bay like I did a couple years back.

Oooh... with the storms that roll through there and the humidity at night? I'll pass on the tent camping. But getting a hotel room right next to Airventure IS on my bucket list (if ever that will happen.) Failing that, driving in with a trailer to a full hookup camp site is my next best "bucket list" option.

LOL - well, not quite the "same week I bought it", but I am following your lead into E-LSA. It truly is the only avenue to follow given the factory's lack of response. But as I posted in the NLG thread, I think there's enough admiration for the aircraft and overall design that people will come up with solutions to improve the weaknesses in this design. I believe you have the improved fork that folks on the EU version of this forum have created, and if you devise a shock for the NLG, I suspect people will be beating a path to your door. I'll be first in line. ?

Izzy, thanks for all you did for us. And I appreciate all the great support I got from the staff from a Cruiser Aircraft. But the factory... My mom taught me that if I had nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all. So there is nothing to add here.

I wonder if this was the primary reason that Milan left CSA and opened Bristell? If only the Bristel had an older fleet that would be in my price range. Regardless at this point since I'm well on my way to going E-LSA.

Lol! I once had a girlfriend that made me chose between her and my 1970 Mustang Mach 1. I chose poorly and still miss that car! (Girlfriend I kicked to the curb years later when she made me choose between my dying father and her.) Luckily my wife is amazing and understanding. Ttabs, assuming you are S-LSA, you can use the Aera 660 as a stand alone unit that is not permanently installed in the panel. As others has indicated, the G5 will not be acceptable if you had to go through any kind of annual or conversion.

Ah! Thanks Shawn! I wonder if the prior owner got an LOA for that? ? Sorry TTabs - just an ongoing joke we have on the forum about LOAs. But certainly good to have one on board to ensure the fuel pump and pressure is where it’s intended.

I got the SPRL fuel caps with lock (for peace of mind) for my CRUZ Aircraft. But at the time, I ordered the less expensive locking fuel cap with the red “universal ring.” Innhindsight, if anyone is ordering the fuel cap, you’ll want the threaded ring and locking cap that Shawn refers to (about $75 each) as our CRUZ aircraft come with those threaded rings that screw into our fuel tank.

Congratulations on your Sportcruiser! And welcome to the forum! Lots of great members and information shared here. Looks like you have an extra gauge on the right seat under the ELT test button port. Is that an hour timer for the engine? (I can’t quite make it out.) Looking forward to reading more about your bird and flights/adventures you have with it!

I don’t know if the aluminum caps offered at Aircraft Spruce (for Vans aircraft) will work, but they seem to offer the SPRL caps for the Vans aircraft as well. Would use of a different fuel cap require a LOA? (Serious question as I don’t know, but I would hope not as I would consider this a “service part.’)

Thanks for the kind invite, Hwick2000! Will let you know when I plan to head up there!

Great photos, Hwick2000! Did you bring oxygen to fly at those flight levels? If so, was it the bottle with inhaler mask, or did you have a cannula? There's another LSA pilot not far from you in Mammoth Lakes: Ed Cessnalis. He flies a yellow CTsw and flies over the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges to take amazing photographs. Here's his website, if interested in his photography: http://www.edcesnalis.com He frequents to CT Flier forum in case you have any interest in chatting with a nearby LSA pilot. I have a desire to fly up your way since (as I think I mentioned before) I have a friend in the Carson City area. But I'd probably fly along the valley (avoid the cinder cone volcano!) and maybe land in Lone Pine or Bishop for breaks - possibly Lee Vining. I am interested in fuel injection and have been following Edge Performance's offerings pretty closely. Once I become E-LSA, I'll look a little closer.

Hwick2000, those are some awesome pictures of Lake Tahoe! How does your Bristell perform at those altitudes, and taking off from your airstrip? I think your elevation is around 4,400 feet? Any density altitude concerns? In terms of the LSA for your twin brother, does he have any preferences or a particular mission? He is in the hot bed of LSA activity by being in Florida, so I would imagine that he might be surrounded by more available LSA than is listed in Barnstormer. That Piper Sport looks nice. Having the BRS repacked and the 5 year rubber replacement performed is certainly helpful and a cost savings. Ther Piper Sport should have the return line to the tank, so that should take care of the mandatory Rotax service bulletin. The only other thing to check for is the nose gear leg and the firewall bulk-up-kit (two separate threads on this forum), both of which are not required if there is no cracks in the nose gear leg and fork. If your brother is interested, Roger Lee (on this forum and on the CT forum) is in Tucson and potentially an arrangement may be made to have him do an inspection of the aircraft and books. Does your brother prefer a low wing vs. a high wing? What would be his approximate budget? I only ask as there’s other new LSA for about $15-25K more. One that is debuting at Oshkosh is the Vashon Ranger 7 (which is produced by the owner of Dynon.). It’s a high wing and its useful load is limited, but it’s well equipped with Dynon glass panels. There are well priced CTsw as well. But probably very few with as few hours as the Sportcruiser you found. Maybe it might be worthwhile for your brother to make it to the upcoming Sun n Fun show in Lakeland, Florida from April 10-15, 2018 to see what LSA are available and hold any interest?

Oooh, them's fightin' words! As a former Tifosi (Ferrari owner - twice over) and a die-hard Mustang/Ford loyalist, I would say that the comparison would present some competition and animosity between the brands. Certainly there's competition as everyone is vying for pilots to purchase their aircraft, but I didn't think there was animosity between the brands. To your point, an opinion is just that... an opinion, but my opinion is that the LSA owner community is still small enough that we should be supportive of each other.

I think the 4.5 gph was really measured at 75% power, so about 4,500 RPM or so. Your consumption seems about right from what I've seen for speeds conducive to getting somewhere. The Bristell is a cousin to the Sportcruiser., plus we're a welcoming group. Much like the CT group is very welcoming of all other aircraft, especially with their annual Page, AZ trip. But if were using the automotive analogy, I'd say that we're comparing something from common parents, like an Audi and Volkswagen, or Toyota and Lexus. Different enough cosmetically, but enough DNA (parts, plans, etc.) to be related.

Assuming 100 knots average GS, and MOGAS at 4.5 gph, that's only 45 gallons, or about $157.50 (at $3.50 per gallon), so only a $157.50 hot dog, just slightly more than the $100 hamburger! (that is, of course, one way.)

Many thanks for the kind invite, Hwick2000! I have a friend who lives near Carson City and eventually I’ll fly up there for a visit and would love to check out Dayton Valley Airpark! That is a mighty fine looking interior you’ve got there! And a BEW of 792 pounds! Fantastic! I’ve got a 2008 Sportcruiser with a BEW of 808.1 and am also without the BRS. Sounds like you found the aircraft at the right time and got a great deal! Congrats!

Beautiful Bristell, Harold! Ditto on the welcome aboard! And thanks for the warm welcome about your airpark! I’m envious! I would LOVE to live in an airpark home.

I like the GDL-82 approach and will likely follow (more likely, blatantly copy) Shawn's installation and center stack. My FAA rebate expired... no way I am able to comply by the due date.