I got to thinking the other day on the way to work... would it be
feasable to implement:

1. A set of speedbrakes, say on the fuselage of something like an RV-6,
operated by a parking-brake style handle (where the flap handle
currently is, necessitating electric flaps)? Could be useful if you
need to lose altitude in a hurry or if you get too close to redline
during maneuvers.

2. Direct lift control, a la L-1011 or F-14. Basically you put
spoilers on the wing, then rig them up so that on approach they deploy a
few degrees. Then, you can raise them further for a second to
compensate for being high, or stow them if you're low. Avoids having to
make pitch changes or power corrections, depending on how you fly
approaches. AFAIK, such a system was integrated into the controls on
said aircraft; I was thinking a simple "arm" switch that deploys the
spoilers a few degrees, then a slider switch on the stick for the
adjustment.