Perhaps the
experience of owning a Cirrus reinforces the feeling among some pilots
that they have achieved the dream, and they are surprised, fatally, to
find that nothing fundamental has changed.

I think you've nailed it, Dan.

All that "gee whiz!" stuff in the panel, along with the nice handling and
extra speed, must make regular Spam Can pilots feel pretty much
invulnerable. After all, they've got a 3-axis autopilot, traffic avoidance,
moving map GPS, and -- if all else fails -- the 'chute to fall back on.

I know *I* would feel much safer in such a capable aircraft -- but I'd also
be tempted to push my personal flight envelope in compensation.

I also believe that many pilots who can afford the expense of a new Cirrus
are hard-driving, over-worked, successful folks, with little time for simple
things like pattern work, and little tolerance for not getting there on
time.

All of this seems to add up to a lethal concoction. Too bad -- insurance
rates on those planes were *finally* starting to come down a bit.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"