Solo from the back?

[Robert Wade]

Thanks for the welcome, I’m happy to be here! I’m a partial owner of a CP65 and love it a little more every time I fly it, and trying to read as much as I can about them. I read today that the CP65 has removable front stick and rudder pedals...can anyone tell me if it meant to be soloed from the back seat? Also, any links to an old articles to read on the collegiate would be appreciated!

Thanks
Robert
N27207

[Andy Gelston]

Lil’ ol’ #704 is designed to be soloed from the front only. She can be soloed from the back, but the CG is so far aft that you have to stay sharp on the rudder pedals to counter the adverse yaw in turns, etc. Solo from the front and you can almost keep your feet on the floorboards, if she’s rigged correctly.  I’m not sure why someone would want to remove the stick and rudder pedals from the front, but many of these old gals have some pretty checkered histories with a lot of mystery.  Most of us just celebrate their surviving over 3/4 of a century by keeping them flying and giving them lots of love.