> > One interesting issue with the Optica was an empty cg issue.
> > they had a skid like a tail hook that was lowered so the bird
> didn't
> > sit on
> > its tail when the flight crew exited. Hold on to the photos, I've
> been
> > trying to line some up for my book!
> >
> > --George
>
> Hi Y'All,
> the Optica was in limited production in Australia, in Queensland mid
> 90s as I recall. It was a failure, the last article I read about it
> said it was fitted with an O360, flat strap could not make a 100kts,
> and had a serious Cof G problem. BR, Dave McC
Hi Guys
As a point of interest I flew the Optica at the factory in England in
1985.
It was underpowered/overweight, but flew well for it's role. A couple of
crashes with police pilots helped kill the market for the a/c.
I had ordered one, and my a/c was destroyed in the hanger fire in late '85
(said to have been arson by the company for insurance reasons). But I
liked
the aircraft, and had hoped to sell them in North America. I still have
brochures and (somewhere) a video produced by the company.
George (in Canada)
George. By any chance did you keep any manuals from the Optica?
George W
Sorry George, I didn't have a manual. I flew the a/c, and placed an order,
but never received anything. Just have pictures and brochures.
George (from Canada)
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