Microlighters

Ok fine so African Pilot had a list of MANY trikes we can buy...but where are the head to head reviews like the ones we find with cars etc? The ones that encourage trike manus to better their products?!

I did find one website with reviews but I had to pay almost $8 for each one and they were still NOT head 2 head.

MainAir VS Aquilla VS Airborne - preferably independant!

Heya DF

The way i would look at it is the following way.

Firstly no matter what the style or shape of the undercarriage of any trike it only adds a cosmetic value as i do believe it has no bearing once in flight. Manairs. Pegasus etc etc stunning trikes.

Secondly most of us use Rotax's 503, 582, 912's so not much to say about the motors as i thinks it's common knowledge.

Thirdly i would consider the "WING" the more important consideration when comparing any trike and for this reason i would say a "AEROS" wing (UKRAINIAN) is probably one of the best around. The main "spar" is sleeved 4 times as where most others are sleeved twice. It has thicker flying cables, it has thicker downpipes on the trapezium bar, it has a control bar safety cable i.e. between the 2 downward trapezium bars, 28 batons in the wing some have 18, the hangpoint is a solid casting and im also led to believe on their undercarriages a 55mm keel tube and not a 47mm keel tube is used.

I am not being biased towards anyone or any manufacturer but when i bought a trike these were some of the points pointed out to me by one of the ou manne in the business. I think its a combination of the wing, engine and undercarriage bearing in mind as i said earlier the undercarriage merely cosmetic value and the wing taking precedence in my selection at the time. I mean i would love to have a 912 on my trike which would give me an awesome trike.

Anyway my 2c worth

Your's in Flying
CHAZ

Point i am trying to make here is for any aspiring buyers out there they should be i beleive more importantly know the difference between the various wings as apart from the engine its the part that makes you and the plane fly. Who gonna buy a M3 with a 1600 beetle motor :D :D :D

So i would love to see objective views on the "PRO'S" & "CON'S of the various wings.

Your's in Flying
CHAZ

Chaz wrote:

Firstly no matter what the style or shape of the undercarriage of any trike it only adds a cosmetic value as i do believe it has no bearing once in flight.

Not quite. For me the comfort factor would be a big consideration. What does it help you have this super duper snazy undercarriage, but it is uncomfortable as hell. This applies to both seats. I have so far only flown once in the backseat of a trike. Eish, got a stiff neck, because the head was against the pylon all the time. Would not want to expose my pax to that.

Regards,
Arnulf

Dont forget

Value for money
Design features
Materials used
Technology advances
Range
Std equipment
Add ons
Ballistic chutes
etc
etc

This should be darn good topic - Go for it!

Top 3

1. Wing
2. Comfortability - big factor 4 me 2 Arnulf
3. Portability

With "new" or alternative engines coming on the scene it would be great to compare those.

I personally don't care what it looks like as long as it flies well and is good for a few hours which back, neck etc ache!

Otherwise we'll be forced to look at pics like these to see if we fit

ARNOLD SCHWARZANEGGER FLY'S MICROLIGHTS I know he said "I'll be back" but not in a Microlight :D :D :D

Your's in Flying
CHAZ

Is Arnie a ML man...?? Maybe Chuck also flies ML's...!

Chuck flies an Commander.....

This sounds like it is going to become a Ford vs Toyota vs Merc vs Beemer "discussion".

Different strokes for different folks! Sometimes I wish I could combine all the various features that I like on the different brands into one super trike.

For instance:

The Poisk "karretjie" because it looks like its built tougher than a brick %$#@%house.

The Cobra 3/4 fairing with the inbuilt landing light - man I like that look. Followed closely by the Pegasus GT450 fairing.

The Airborne fuel tank arrangement - just looks well designed and engineered.

The Windlass "cubby hole" mounted above the engine - I heard that started out as a real "boer maak 'n plan" idea before it became a production add on.

Its one of the things that attracts me to trikes - people come up with such clever ideas for their aircraft.

Even a bloody lighter on the dash!

Cloud Warrior wrote:This sounds like it is going to become a Ford vs Toyota vs Merc vs Beemer "discussion".

Different strokes for different folks! Sometimes I wish I could combine all the various features that I like on the different brands into one super trike.

For instance:

The Poisk "karretjie" because it looks like its built tougher than a brick %$#@%house.

The Cobra 3/4 fairing with the inbuilt landing light - man I like that look. Followed closely by the Pegasus GT450 fairing.

The Airborne fuel tank arrangement - just looks well designed and engineered.

The Windlass "cubby hole" mounted above the engine - I heard that started out as a real "boer maak 'n plan" idea before it became a production add on.

Its one of the things that attracts me to trikes - people come up with such clever ideas for their aircraft.

Even a bloody lighter on the dash!

One of the pilots from Springs with a "912 Cobra Full Fairing", has a lighter on the dash. He smokes while flying-No problem.

One of the pilots from Springs with a "912 Cobra Full Fairing", has a lighter on the dash. He smokes while flying-No problem.

Does he smoke and fly with pax? I'm reminded of the thread whereby I think Morph had a cigarette go in his helmet on the bike.

DieselFan wrote:

One of the pilots from Springs with a "912 Cobra Full Fairing", has a lighter on the dash. He smokes while flying-No problem.

Does he smoke and fly with pax? I'm reminded of the thread whereby I think Morph had a cigarette go in his helmet on the bike.

Not to sure......