I chose the Sportsman for it's versatility. I like to make long cross-country trips, but also do a lot of bush flying (having spent the last 30 years in Alaska). The convertible gear and clean aerodynamics allow me to go reasonably fast, despite the low wing and power loading, which enable STOL performance. On tri-gear with wheel pants, I'm cruising at about 140 knots in the low-teen density altitudes, and burning about 10 gph (ROP). With a full load, I've been getting off in about 600 feet at density altitudes up to 10k, and in under 400 feet at sea level, so I expect this to be a good gravel-bar airplane too. I plan to install my 31" bushwheels for the first time in August, for a trip back up to Alaska. I'll have more feedback and pictures then.

I have about 100 hours on the aircraft now, including a couple of approaches in IMC. So far, it's been from Colorado to Wyoming, Washington, Canada, and California. I'm planning trips to Georgia, New York, and finally Alaska over the rest of this summer.

Pacific Coast Avionics did a great job on the panel. I've been happy with the selection of avionics, although I've had to work out a few bugs in connectivity and noise. AFS is continually improving the capabilities of the EFIS, and has been very responsive fixing minor software bugs in the new features as I find them. The only bad experience has been with the RC Allen gyro, both functionally and in dealing the manufacturer (Kelly Manufacturing). I would definitely go with a different gyro vendor next time.

FAA sign off was a breeze. The DAR found only a couple of items: minor shipping damage to a flap trailing edge, and one scat hose touching the motor mount. Building the Sportsman at the CAC was a great experience. I ended up putting in more than the required 10 hours per day, both because I was having fun, and because I wanted to maximize my involvement. Technical support since I got it home has been excellent too.