Jack Allison wrote:
I'm wondering if there are any Cardinal drivers that frequent this
newsgroup. I'm in the early phase of considering potential airplanes
for a 2-way partnership and, at this point, a Cardinal is looking like a
very adequate platform for the price and performance I'm looking at.

So, any words of wisdom from folks who have owned one? Looking for
anything...the good, the bad, the ugly...whatever. I've found some
great info. at Cardinal Fliers Online (www.cardinalflyers.com). If
there are some Cardinal drivers that hang around here, that would be
even better.

I did all my required dual and soloed in one a year ago. It belongs to
the local flying club (160hp '68 fixed gear model) and this summer had
the 180hp stc applied to it. Sadly I haven't flown it with the power
upgrade, but those that have, have said it now has excellent performance
while carrying a load...

It has basic IFR equipment and is quite roomy (front, rear, baggage and
width). The low wing is a killer (until you get a sense for it) from the
front (bad) or the rear (worse), unless you are vertically challenged.
Cruise speed is much better than our '64 172F (especially if you are
slightly aft heavy), but its a much cleaner airframe due to the loss of
the struts. I averaged 7 gallons an hour fuel consumption, I believe it
went up a gallon or two with the conversion. They stuck with a fixed
pitch prop (though it had to be replaced with the conversion), there are
constant speed stc's available, depending on the engine used...

I'm always shopping for a bargain Cardinal, 180hp & C/S prop required...