Or a step forward. These are way more advanced than a Cessna 182 for example. Can safely take positive 6g, negative 3g. Fully instrumented with transponders, glass cockpit, etc. 500 mile range. Max speed 120, stalls at 20. Takes off in 175 feet. Dual ignition engine, water cooled. Climb rate 2,000 fpm.
These are the equivalent of flying motorcycles. They are no more a step backwards from current aviation technology than motorcycles were a step backwards from cars. They a simply a step in a different direction. They are for sport flying. The only difference is that it takes twice as long to learn to fly one than it takes to fly a fixed wing aircraft.