Sandra suggested I stick around for a little longer, as a friend of hers was about to turn up - which she did, in a very sleek Cirrus, displaying a perfect landing in the process. The new composite aircraft with joystick controls and the slickest cockpit which any of the throng of onlookers had previously seen is full IFR (as is Fran), has nice touches like turbulators on the leading edges and has a full aerofoil cockpit. Fast! 

When the hubub died down enough for Fran to climb out, Sandra deviously maneovered her over to the hangar wherein was parked a spotless Ximango (ex Barry Bowerman). 

"Beautiful", said Fran, "whose is this?" - followed by a stunned pause and then a shriek of delight. The last time they met, just weeks before, Sandra was not a pilot - but she'd decided to become one, and after much discussion with Isabel (Tiger Moth) had purchased - ab initio, mind you - the aircraft in question.

 

Cirrus SR20   Composite Construction 4 Seats Airframe Parachute Avionics ARNAV,GARMIN,S-TEC/Meggitt Performance Takeoff 1310 feet Takeoff (50' object) 1865 feet Max rate of climb 900 feet/minute Cruise speed @75% 160 KTAS Stall speed w/flaps 54 KIAS Maximum range 800 nm Landing 1000 feet Landing (50' object) 1960 feet Engine Manufacturer Continental Model IO-360-ES/200hp

Propeller Manufacturer Hartzell Diameter 76"   2 blade/Constant Speed Specifications Length 26' 3" Height 9'   3" Wingspan 35' 7" Wing Area 135 ft2 Cabin Length 130" Cabin Width 49" Cabin Height 50" Landing Gear Fixed, Tricycle Design Weights & Loading Max Gross Wt 2900 lbs. Std Empty Wt 1950 lbs. Maximum Load 950 lbs. Fuel Capacity 56 gals/336 lbs.

CirrusDesign.com