Microlighters

The only chicks i hear on the radio are chopper pilots and instructresses (feel so proud) but where the hek are the fly for fun lady pilots? I was under the impression the guys had released us from the kitchen.... how can we wake up this bit of the market ? after all , sport flying could do with a bit of oomph
O well , maybe this photie of my Mom and Dad might motivate all those closet lady pilots

Good question Sue. Maybe woman in general are naturally more into household things and let's face it, mothers with kids has got their hands full.

Trikes are quite physical, I often found myself having to exercise some degree of strength in controlling the bar in turbulence (maybe it is because I am heavy and have to weightshift more weight) , my bet is that most ladies will find it tough to control the airy in the bumps - Could be wrong

Gyro's are much easier to handle, far more turbulence-tollerant, and some come enclosed with heating (Chicken or Beef?) usually you need deep pockets. There are only 4 female Gyro pilots in SA that I know of. Sad.

Gyronaut wrote:Gyro's are much easier to handle, far more turbulence-tollerant, and some come enclosed with heating (Chicken or Beef?) usually you need deep pockets. There are only 4 female Gyro pilots in SA that I know of. Sad.

I had the privilege of flying with one of them Len... Very good pilot...

I only know of 2 qualified (one an instructor I believe) and one training female trike pilot? I think David is correct, a trike can be a handful in the bumps and requires a fair amount of strength at times which may be off putting?

That said I cant see any reason why the Ladies are not more prevalent in all the other types? Men still outnumber them at least 10 to 1 I would say? Come on Ladies...GO FLY!

Far less egotistical and arrogant, I recon if the ladies outnumbered men by 10 to 1 the accident rate would be a fraction of what it is now...

It depends on where you look

We have 2 very capable trike pilots from Rhino Park:

Shirley Rudd and Corne' Mostert.

They seem to handle trikes just fine!

Absolutely no excuse, if i could fly a trike -anyone can. I used to be able to fold up the wing and put the cart on the trailer and drive off. Also, a single seater trike is a fanatastic machine for us chicks. Lovely and light and usually quiet nippy. And what about a Bantam -easy peasy....

David....we've managed to stir up the feminists?....You run....I'll hold them back...RUN BOY..... RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

Only joking Aunty Sue!

You are 100% correct.

I think it just needs a little more marketing...? As does the sport in general...

Hey Al , thats exactly what im trying to do - very quiet at the moment - worse still, this is the best time of year to fly-good weather just going to waste.

Ja the leprechaunse family het nou al 2 pilote, en die enejie is sy jong dogter en die anner een is sy se vrou , jy willie met daai antie neuk nie , sy is n toets piloot enne instructor , ja sy spesialiseer innie tenacity innie besem fabriek witwillem

There is no reason why the fairer sex shouldn't fly trikes! I personally taught a number of ladies to fly. A couple of them were really competent pilots.
Yes there is a fair amount of physical effort and strength required to manhandle a trike in strong winds, particularly on the ground. But, in beaut flying conditions, as we all know, there is nothing better than to fly a trike. Most people fly for fun and enjoyment. There is nothing enjoyable about flying a trike in windy and turbulent weather. I know.
So ladies, and most gents, go and fly in lekker weather!

Let your dreams take flight....
Solo Wings
Craig Couzens aka CUZZY

Problem is you take off in perfect wx, wx becomes 'interesting' now what if you are a lady?

I've handed the bar to my wife on many occasions when we came back from a brekkie late morning and she was unable to handle the trike

Perhaps it could be because it is more difficult controlling the trike while in the backseat?

I think its more because they can't follow directions and will get lost

Or leave the bar and close their eyes as soon as they hit some turbulence

Turbulence are not about strength....more about technique , infact , if you are using brute strength you are flying against the trike , rather than with it.