Posted for "George/Shirley Shattuck" <kloop@plantationcable.net>:

Right on, Chat.  A few years ago there was a raging debate about the unsafe
nature of the small (original) horizontal tail on the 320.  A good friend in
California was building the small tail 320 and his "friends" in the local
EAA chapter threatened to saw off his tail, actually showed up at his shop
with a saw.  They said it would be life threatening to fly his 320 with the
small tail and he should remove it and replace it with the MK-II tail.  He
is, of course, flying his airplane and is delighted with the performance and
flying qualities.  My 320 is of the small tail vintage and I could not be
more pleased with the performance and flying qualities.  There are no
surprises, from the near stall to Vne, but I respect the airplane for its
performance and limits.  Until there is a good hard look at the causes of
accidents, the proficiency and experience levels and behavior of the pilots,
flight conditions, loading and CG etc. etc. there should not be any of the
rationalization you mentioned.

George