"Bill Daniels" wrote:

For me, the Solitaire drove the final nail in the canard's coffin. In
addition to poor aerodynamics, canards have poor TO and landing performance,
suffer from FOD, and have a notably worse safety record than conventional
airplanes. They are an all-round bad idea.

"Poor aerodynamic performance"? Hardly. Canard aircraft hold several
FAI recognized world records in altitude, speed, and range. A canard
holds the CAFE Challenge efficiency record and will likely have a lock
on it for years to come. Canards have been flown to numerous
first-place race wins and high race placings in competitions against
non-canard designs. Notably worse safety record"? That claim is
false as well.

The true tradeoffs of canard vs. non-canard aircraft are well
understood, at least among the informed, let's not muddy the waters
with misinformation from those with an obvious anti-canard bias.

David O -- http://www.AirplaneZone.com