I own a J160c and I've tried the J170.
Let me put it lke this....
The 170 wants to fly, ;) the 160 wants to land. The wider wingspan (and the wider elevator on the factory built LSA J170c) makes a huge difference, the aeroplane leaps into the air ;) while the J160 drags itself of the ground. :;)4:
I have no problem landing the 160 (after all I now have over 600 landings under my belt). The 170 requires more attention to the approach speed and flare, otherwise your still flyin' and running out of strip. :black_eye:
AS much as I love my J160c ;) - I do appreciate the vitues of the 170, mailnly this:
shorter take off run,
ability to loiter at slow airspeed (50 knots is a doddle),
LSA take off weight of 600 kgs,
slower landing speed (stall around 38 knots at full weight)
regards