The two stroke, single cylinder engine seems to produce far more vibrations and noise then push. The noise is harsh and nasty, very much like a moped with an engine that has been worked on and its exhaust removed.
Climb performance depends a lot the air around you. If you are in a downwards air column you are lucky to stay level. It`s without a doubt one of the least comfortable ways of air travel.
Yet Chuck Yeager flew them because they are just pure unadulterated fun to fly. Even with a Vne of 75 Mph (you need a serious dive to reach that) and a stall speed of 27 mph they are exciting to fly. Because the prop is behind you got your face in the wind without the nasty buffeting, the canard wing makes the flying experience very much like a fighter where you point the nose where you want to go. The puny Rotax 227 engine gives you just 27 hp (!) to play with, but connected to a 3 blade prop is extremely responsive. It is very much like a small English sport car where handling and lightness more than make up for the lack of horse power. Just do not forget your ear plugs.
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