Something new for the microlight industry!!!

[Griffin]

There once was a shepherd boy who was bored as he sat on the hillside watching the village sheep. To amuse himself he took a great breath and sang out, "Wolf! Wolf! The Wolf is chasing the sheep!"

The villagers came running up the hill to help the boy drive the wolf away. But when they arrived at the top of the hill, they found no wolf. The boy laughed at the sight of their angry faces.

"Don't cry 'wolf', shepherd boy," said the villagers, "when there's no wolf!" They went grumbling back down the hill.

....................................

[Tumbleweed]

So, who's got a spade?

[Alex]

Hi Griffin

I don’t get it? If you think there’s no 2 new microlights you are wrong they are already being build.

[Alex]

Hi Guys

All I wanted was to get your input in this matter not sarcasm and lets rather support them than trying to be funny. All I said was true, I forgot one thing this is South Africa and this is the way some people normally think here.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Hi Guys
But we can just buy a crop-spraying thing extra and do no work way not?

Yip, but it they come to inspect why you are making a "loss" (as I assume crop sprying income will be minimal if at all) you must be able to prove that it is a legit business otherwise you may be in even bigger Pooh. On the other hand a 120mph trike could be considered a cross country machine and could conceivably be used as business transport? (It faster than a Robbie 22 and can land almost anywhere. There are still issues, but i am sure there will be more interest)

I can only say one thing and I hope I am not talking too much. This is one property developer that started all of this and he is the guy that’s financing the whole thing not for a profit now but for us “ MPL guys” and for his love of microlighting!

What those property developers

Alex
Like you I am hugely excited. I would love to see schools here training on 912 machines which can give the smaller 3axis boys a run for their money. For R300K I would want a machine I could tour in as well as bugger around. In the past I think guys have started on trikes and when they get bored of flying around the patch they do 1 of 2 things. They venture from the nest and scare themselves never to fly again or they get gatvot watching the tucks pass them by on the Hway and buy 3 axis. If you can get a trike that has 100+mph and still has docile handling I think they may have a winner....

PS
Before I get Moer'd I am one of dem property developers albeit on a small scale by Jhb standards

[DieselFan]

Alex I previously asked if there was scope for yet another local manufacturer given the current state of the "industry".

To my knowledge the Quik is not the big brother of the GT450, speed does not determine the "size". The Quik drops like a brick with engine out the GT450 is not as fast but has better slow speed handling. The GT came after the Quik so normally that would be perceived as the "big" brother.

If these two microlights are as good as you say then there's definitely scope in our market I think. I doubt the non profit argument though. At those prices there has to be money made. Hence the first 5 schools special.

In a discussion today I even said I'd prefer a slower wing for scenic flights. Given todays wind it was awesome flying along with a ground speed of 20. Having a trike that does 90mph is nothing new, my wing was designed back in 94 and does that easily. The GT450 however does that handsoff, yet has a slow stall - thats new tech. Point is doing those speeds is not a great achievement doing it with safety at both ends is key and what is expected with modern wings.

My suggestion is then not just top end speed but good slow performance too.

Oh I took care of the Wolf. Had a 2400 watt engine and inverted prop...

What sort of instruments come standard? Will it be like the brits or french?

All the best and do keep us posted!

[Alex]

Hi RV4ker

"Alex
Like you I am hugely excited. I would love to see schools here training on 912 machines which can give the smaller 3axis boys a run for their money. For R300K I would want a machine I could tour in as well as bugger around. In the past I think guys have started on trikes and when they get bored of flying around the patch they do 1 of 2 things. They venture from the nest and scare themselves never to fly again or they get gatvot watching the tucks pass them by on the Hway and buy 3 axis. If you can get a trike that has 100+mph and still has docile handling I think they may have a winner.... "

I agree if this is where they are taking it, it will have a market.

[Alex]

Hi DieselFan

Alex To my knowledge the Quik is not the big brother of the GT450, speed does not determine the "size". The Quik drops like a brick with engine out the GT450 is not as fast but has better slow speed handling. The GT came after the Quik so normally that would be perceived as the "big" brother.

Its true the Quik GT450 was the newest made, so sorry I meant the Quik is the faster of the 2. Yes the Quik does drop faster as the GT450 but I must say it really goes and that I enjoy, so I just have to get a landing area fast if something goes wrong.

Has far as I know there will be 2 wings to chose from a faster and a slower one for each aircraft, but the deferent speeds I do not know I must sit and wait like all of us to see.

Has far has I know it will be all "glass cockpit Instruments" in the 912 and normal digital in the 582.

When they ask me to come and fly it I will post it immediately so we all can get the idea where they are going with this.

[Alex]

Hi Demon

You are correct in saying that, so yes they have to make it the same or better. If it will fly like a GT450 the price at least will make a deference to us here.

[DieselFan]

I await eagerly , I thort of fitting a small parachute to Demon's trike almost like the youtube clip - to slow him down ofcourse Cause life just ain't fair.

[Alex]

Hi Dieselfan

I don’t think you will have to with these new ones, but lets see I hope it will get us to the same flying speed and safety for less R.

[Griffin]

Time scales? When will you have some pictures and details for us?

[Alex]

Hi Guys

Sorry I was not on the net for a wile but I am on again.

Griffin

I hear it looks like 2 months, sorry I have no photos jet but I am looking closely at what they are doing. Promise to let you know as soon as I get something.

Demon

No they are completely new and not from any of the manufacturers we know.

[Alex]

Hi Guys

Ok I found out the following:

The Trikes will have the following in and with them:

1) Radio
2) Air Magic intercom system with helmets and V Rabbit.
3) 3 Blade Warp Drive
4) Rotax 582 / 912 / 912 S
5) Topless wing or the normal wing with cables on top you decide.
6) Rear brakes.
7) The Thunderbolt ST and Whirlwind ST will have an electronic trim.
Skydat instruments 912 and 912 S will have the GX 2 in 582 DX 2
9) Compass
10) Landing light in front.
11) There names are Thunderbolt / Thunderbolt ST and the 582 will be called a Whirlwind / Whirlwind ST.

To describe how the Thunderbolt looks.

The nose starts out close to a GT nose but it get wider to the middle and cutes back in behind the rear passenger to the air intakes for the engine and radiators, the whole trike will be boxed from nose to prop. It looks a lot at the air intakes like an Apache chopper just much more elegant shaped.

I would have loved nothing more than to get a photo of the plans they are working from but they said when they done I can get a photo from the real thing. I can only say it looks stunning and if it flies like it looks I will take one!

Just keeping you up to date guys.

[DieselFan]

I'm excited and can't wait when's the launch date? Does it look anything like this



This is the Apache trike.