Postby kill_devil » Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:44 pm
Yes, I've been absent because I get so homesick every time I visit your site so I try to avoid it!
Its been quite an eye opener seeing how aviation works in the northern hemisphere. The UK airspace is very busy and structured. That and the more changeable weather led me to decide to go through an extended conversion to give me time to get used to the differences. The type I'm flying just happens to be a brand new GT-450! I also need to get the NPPL(M) licence to fly here which requires a general flight test, cross country test, a medical self declaration and a UK radio licence.
Over here the GT-450 912S is getting the reputation already as the ultimate 450 kg, 65 litre, long distance cruising trike. P&M Aviation has upped the seat weight limits to 110 kg front and back, yet you can still fly solo with 55kg in the front seat, so it has excellent load carrying capability. It virtually lands itself and has a phenomenal climb rate of 1200 ft/sec without that feeling you get of being tipped backwards. Flying with a pod around my feet and a windscreen in front of me is taking a while to get used to but you need it for the wind chill factor.
As you know there are several totally new and innovative design features that have refined this state of the art 13 sq m wing (for the benefit of others I'll list some).
1. The reflex trim system is replaced by a electric keel tensioning pulley that changes the fore/aft position of zero pitch pressure on the control bar, gving a trimmed speed range of 50 to 80 mph.
2. There is a dual cable billow shift augmenter system attached to the fin that accelerates the 60 degree to 60 degree roll reversal rate that really works.
3. Each wingtip has a winglet that damps out yaw oscillations and reduces induced drag, making the trike more fuel efficient. There are vents in the winglet to allow the inside of the double surface wing to inflate and deflate in the roll and the sail cloth to move with the flexing.
4. The shape of the forward camber is maintained at high speed by a dynamic pressurisation system using small inlet holes on the leading edge.
5. The A frame, or trapeze, is really a 4 link quadrilateral mechanism that puts differential loads on the flying wires.
I could go on, but I would rather wait to read your proving flight comments. Will your experience live up to the promises on the cereal packet?
And of course Barry, if you need any help to get type approval, contact me anytime. I may be able to pull a few strings. Just keep me informed of progress.
Cheers,
Rob
"The hardest thing about flying is the ground"