My post of some time ago in the thread “TL Stream”
I managed to fly the Stream and the Blackshape one after the other one day last week so could compare, in particular on things that are important to me..
Cockpit
I measure 1.91 cm and in the BS I barely fit up front and do not fit in the back. The Stream was fine. But it all depends on ‘head-to-butt’ length of course. Now with age we all shrink so fitting in is just a matter of time.
The visibility is outstanding for both aircraft. Slight advantage for the Blackshape with its smaller wings.
Avionics, controls: I prefer the Stream’s Garmin 3X over the Blackshape’s Dynon. Sharper display to start with. Nice, separate A/P controls too. I like the side stick controls of the Stream better than the centre stick of the BS, if only because you can put stuff on your lap. Besides, the centre stick of the BS is rather low which I found a little awkward.
Flying
I am anal about sound levels. The Stream wins, but I suppose this is only because of the 3-blade prop vs the 2-bladed prop on the BS. My Bristell is rather quiet, but the Stream beats it! With the Bose A20 and a engine RPM of 5000 is was impressively quiet. I suppose it has to do with composites vs metal and maybe the smaller cross section of the fuselage, i.e. less surface of a vibrating bulkhead?
The in-flight handling is similar. Both are very stable in normal flight. Steep turns are like on rails. The Stream’s control are noticeably heavier though, probably because of the short arm to the first pivot point. A matter of personal taste. It definitively feels like flying a bigger aircraft. The electric trim on the Stream is too slow for my taste, repeatedly creating a PIO. But these things are just a matter of getting used to.
I did not do any stalls in the BS, pilot in the back told me it can easily drop a wing. Pilot in the back of the Stream told me the Stream does that too, so he asked me to make sure to keep the ball nicely centred. Stalls were consistent at 59 KIAS flaps up, plenty of buffet and rather mild.
Landing both planes is not a big deal. The slotted flaps on the Stream are very effective, but the smaller ailerons make larger inputs necessary to keep level at low speeds which became apparent after encountering some gusts on short final.
Speed is not a priority for me. I saw a slight advantage for the Blackshape but this may not be representative (different payload, and possible different accuracies of ASIs).BS 130 KIAS at 65%, Stream 125.
Some general observations
Both are nice machines and seem very well built. Although data is sketchy, the empty weight of the BS is higher, close to 400kg for a fully equipped one while the Stream is around 325 kg. Both aircraft are non-aerobatic but the BS is clearly capable of light-aero, positive G of course. Ask me how I know and I will tell you to get on YouTube, ahem The pilot who flew with me on the Stream categorically denied any aero capabilities..
As to track record, the BS is ahead as they have probably built around 50, while TL built less than 10 Streams. AFAIUI they are in the phase of a limited airworthiness regime that applies to a pre-production series of 10 exemplars. So know I can walk around the village here telling everyone I’m a certified test pilot. Going off buying a Buck Danny jacket tomorrow..
Tandem vs side-by-side. Obviously these planes are more pilot-oriented than ‘couple’ oriented. I’m not sure I’m going to score a lot of points with my loved one when I have to ask her to put the raft on her lap when we go to Catalonia.
Still I’m tempted to subtract 220 k from my kids’ inheritance, in spite of the stock markets of the last 3 days..
