Hanson and several other likely conservative 'NO MASKS AND NO MORE TAXES" naysayers have declared this pioneering effort pointless, suspicious and/or deplorable because
“Note that once again, this is a UNIVERSITY (public money) that is plunking down the $200 G purchase price.”
Quite the opposite, Jimmie. Florida Tech [aka Florida Institute of Technology] is a PRIVATE, coeducational, residential, research-intensive, doctoral granting university initially founded in the 50’s specifically to provide technicians to nearby nascent NASA and today ranked a “best buy” with its graduates first in Florida for alumni earnings. Far less $$tuition$$ than ERAU up the coast. Happier now? Then consider https://www.fit.edu/support-us-overview/
I have no affiliation with FIT. Just a growing disgust with the inefficiency, inflated Presidential/coaching salaries, and corrupt political intrigue infecting some PUBLIC universities. Predictably, SUNY is the historically leading offender. They secretly arranged to shut down and sell off their growing aviation program after 9/11, then they via then-AG Andrew Cuomo retaliated against the Flightline Director who exposed them and rallied students, parents, private pilots, industry, and legislators to save it. Unlike the federal government, NY State offers no government whistleblower protections.
Next, John Mc COMPLETELY ignores the repeated mention of research-quality comprehensive reporting to FAA and Pipistrel by nonsensically and conspiratorially declaring “If a private school or individual buys the plane, we may or may not get the full feedback about the plane’s good points and warts.”
And finally, John, as someone who has flown camera planes doorless for movie companies in all weather conditions, I’d appreciate an explanation of your claim things blow out of airplanes faster and/or more often in S.Florida. Maybe FIT should look into that design/climate interface phenomenon…or did i miss a gag there?