Posted for "Tom Gourley" <tom.gourley@verizon.net>:

 Rienk Ayers wrote:
 "I agree that the "desirability" of various handling characteristics is
 completely subjective. What I am asserting is that the rating or value of
 those characteristics are not - they are objective."
 
 I've been reading your posts and so far everything in them has been
subjective, not objective.  I have not seen any hard data.
 
 Mr. Ayers also wrote:
 "But if by "light touch" you mean that it is hard to dampen or stabilize the
plane, because pilot
 inputs are difficult to control - I would label that as "touchy" or "twitchy"
- both subjective terms."
 
 I don't mean that at all.  Pilot inputs are not difficult to control with the
proper technique, which is true of any airplane.  By "light touch" I mean that
if you use Cessna control inputs when flying a Legacy you will over control
the airplane.  If the pilot is ham-handed he/she will end up working much
harder than necessary to hold altitude and heading.  If you fly with a thumb
and two fingers on the stick the airplane flies beautifully and will go
precisely where you want it.  Yes, Legacy control inputs are lighter, and
better balanced, than a Cessna or Piper.  That does not, in my opinion, make
the airplane "twitchy".  To me "twitchy" or unstable implies it is very
difficult to maintain a stable attitude.  This is not the case in the Legacy.
 If you want a more informed opinion, along with some objective data, go to
http://cafefoundation.org/v1/aprs/legacy.pdf .  If your definition of these
terms is that the aircraft does not have the same sluggish handling of a 172,
fine; go fly a Cessna and stop complaining.  To me, flying is a lot more than
transportation.  I fly because I enjoy it. Flying a Cessna (or Piper, or
Beech) is ok, but flying a Lancair is exhilarating.  I like it that way and I
don't want it to change.
 
 Tom Gourley