Microlighters

I was having a discussion with one of the microlight instructors this weekend and was concerning about his comments that microlighting is a dying sport. He says that his school is very quite and there seem to be very few new students interrested in flying? Is this due to the current economy or are pilots looking at flying other types of aeries rather than trikes? Are there still active microlight clubs that fly regularly?
I started flying in Port Elizabeth and we were a very active bunch of mates who flew just about every weekend (Skybound will back me up here), now there are hangers full of trikes with no-one flying at UItenhage airfield. I am looking at purchasing a trike again and trying to find hangerage out at Panarama but certainly dont want to be flying alone every weekend. My one gripe about the fixed wing guys is that they are very antisocial and everyone just does their own thing.

Thanks Demon

How you holding up?? Are you ready to fly yet??
I am looking at a Pegasus Quatum 912, as much as I like flying my Coyote - I miss microlights (weightshift). I went to do a refresher this morning at Springs and throughly enjoyed it. The trike was very slow, very heavy and sluggish to turn so I hope that I can expect more from my aerie but it was great to be in a trike again. You either are or you're not a microlight pilot. Any comments on the Quantum?? Do you perhaps know anyone that I could speak to at Panarama about hangerage - what options are there if you live in Fourways and dont have big enough balls for Rieties?

Coyote, also considering a return to trikes - really miss the camaraderie of a flight along the coast with some coffee on some isolated stretch of beach. Just so indecisive at the moment - but need to invest before the missus spends my flying funds.

I HOPE NOT....

Coyote wrote: My one gripe about the fixed wing guys is that they are very antisocial and everyone just does their own thing.

Main reason I smaaaak the 3 hoekie KK flying deckchair types. Fun bunch and they FLY... I tried really hard a couple years ago to get a breakfast run type thing going on Avcom in GP. Worked for maybe 3 sessions and then it was regular sustpects. ME MYSELF & I. Work pressure, fuel too expensive, Controlled airspace bal bla bla. not running the guys down at all I have just not been able to find any blik buggers that fly regularly for no other reason than to have some hangar talk (even if it air talk going nowhere slowly...) Aerie speeds etc also vary too much and few fly unless they have somewhere to go.... The races are fun, but there are 2 a year... The competition stuff I am too KAK at . What does that leave.... Drilling lonely holes in the sky.....

Best flights I have had (other than PTAR) have been with the ML (mainly rietties boys) on flips to nowhere in particular on Flydays...... No politics (none that I understand anyway) no BS, just some good clean(ok not so clean most of the time ) FLYING FUN And most I have never even met "properly".... AWESOME....

The only guys my kids have ever been up in an aerie with (other than me) are Demon & Big G...



Keep the dream alive....

Think I have met Coyote if he was Weedy before through the website and the said ML boys....

If my life insurance co will let me the Coves toybox will def feature a 912 3hkk.....

Hi RV4ker

I’m not Weedy (Claude) but yes we have met before when you flew came back to Skyworx with your son to fetch your wallet.
The 3hkk are a great bunch of guys who fly because they love it and are always willing to assist new pilots with moving away from the patch and always keen for some hanger talk and a beer - well this has been my experience anyway. Im getting back in because I love flying trikes and look forward to some excellent fly- aways.
Coyote (Gregg)

Yes the schools are very quiet but I don't think it's because it's any less popular. It's simply hard times for everybody and the first things that go is the toys or there simply ain't money to play with them. I think as soon as things gets better it will pick up again. The flipside of the coin is - if you have money - buy a plane now they are going really cheap at times.

demon wrote:Hi Coyote...Thanks I am FINALLY coming on after the 4th op 3 wks ago. Last Thurs doc cleared me to at last start using
my undercarraige, and the Quik-R arrives late August, so I should be airborne by end Aug again
The Quantum 912 is a great trike, was the predecessor on the GT450. If rigged correctly and in trim etc, it should
fly 70mph hands off and about 80mph tops. Needs a big push of the bar to rotate or it can bite you.
What about hangar at Ingwe/Laster. Ask Tracer, Piet and the guys who fly there whats available?
Much close to you than Panorama
If you do but the Quantum ask Big-G if he will check it first - the last 2 we say had non of the P&M
compulsory mds and bulletins carried out, and both were potentially lethal -esp the wingtip mod!!
Cheers
Demon

I definetly will ask Big G for help - he has been fantastic with helping me so far (I suspect that Ive been a pain in the ass with all my questions). My wing is coming brand new from the factory but the undercart is 2nd hand. I have heard that it requires lots of bar forward to take off and likes to 3 point on landing if your technique is not corrrect - but all the reviews that Ive heard other that that is that it is an awesome aerie. Its my stepping stone to a GT450 - unfortunately the economics dictate your toys sometimes.

skybound® wrote:Coyote, also considering a return to trikes - really miss the camaraderie of a flight along the coast with some coffee on some isolated stretch of beach. Just so indecisive at the moment - but need to invest before the missus spends my flying funds.

We used to have such a joll hey? Jaques tells me that there is absolutely nothing happening in Uitehage with trikes? Such a pity because it must be some of the most scenic flying in SA. Come Skybound work your magic there!!! Im hoping to bring my trike down in December.

Microlight schools quiet?? ....Never, Rhino Park is Cooking!!

I think the last year has been slow ue the international economic meltdown. But things are looking up they say

My one gripe about the fixed wing guys is that they are very antisocial and everyone just does their own thing

Sorry that you feel that way.

What he said -

Well it has in Kimberley and specifically "Weight Shift"

John Weston used to be a buzz of activity with the trike guys. I haven't seen one flying around there for almost a year now.

The airspace around Kimberley is filled with Jabs from Kimberley Flying School and other Jab owners and there are a few 3-axis aeries such as a Mowhawk, Cheetah's & Skyjeep that still fly around.

Wish I could get my Cheetah back into the air again! Soon Soon....

John Boucher wrote:Well it has in Kimberley and specifically "Weight Shift"

John Weston used to be a buzz of activity with the trike guys. I haven't seen one flying around there for almost a year now.

The airspace around Kimberley is filled with Jabs from Kimberley Flying School and other Jab owners and there are a few 3-axis aeries such as a Mowhawk, Cheetah's & Skyjeep that still fly around.

Wish I could get my Cheetah back into the air again! Soon Soon....

Get your A into G and sort that Cheetah out John. What happened to Bad Nav? After the nav skills you picked up in the PTAR is it no longer befitting.

Cheers,