Microlighters

So, after several inquiries, I am following good advice and will spend some time at Rhino Park getting first hand low down on the Gyro thing.

Different reasons for different folks, but my motivation does still not quite convince me.

I love trikes and wonder if you can ever experience that unleaded, non filter, 6 volt, unplugged, in your face flying experience that a trike can offer. The thrill is the flight, not just the destination.

Flying an aerie, in my view, is just well, like sleeping in the bath with a soaking book.

But, a bigger thrill is flipping with my brats and mates. It's OK round the patch, but returning from a fly -in at 10h 00 gets a mixed response from your pax.

Brat no.1 says" Yippee, cool, I'm in the shade, I'm in the sun"

Brat no 2 says " Hey man, stop doing that. Why are you trying to tip us. I'm telling mom"

I took a seriously friss mate for breakfast, 2 hours to get there and 35 min back. He gave me these incontrollable knee crunches, followd by" Sorry boet, can't help it"

Point is, if my free time is still more limited to k@k weather or unpleasant for a pax, I don't want to fret about a late return. Several hangar mates change arrangements the morning of the flight and I know I'll be flying solo.

So to keep up with chubby's e.t.c. and still enjoy the flight, I am pursueing the gyro option.

Apart from costs (you supply your own toy to train, no bending the schools only sourse of income) what experiences can anyone share?

What other options are there?

VV - I have embarked on a mission to understand the bumps and not be scared of them - I have learnt quite a bit about control and relaxing on inputs et al the past few weeks.

Flying with demon was my first time (still in ZU-FLY) to land at 11:30 in the morning in a trike.

Yesterday I took of with Tobie at 11:30 and we flew when I never thought I would, took off again at 13:00 and then at 14:00 again going to hunt thermals.

I am challenging myself to get to know the conditions, rather than fear them - better the devil you know than the one you don't!

I am not giving up on my trike just yet - I see ENDLESS opportunities for her now! MORE than EVER!

Let's get together... I need an excuse to see my familia in Secunda!

I never really got used to the big bumps flying trikes - it never stopped me flying but have had 1 or 2 pax spray their breakfast through my prop.

When I started with gyros - alot of my initial time was spent researching these aircraft with this wing that looks like a food processor and understanding their capabilities and the do and don'ts. The guys will spin huge stories of what is the best gyro to buy depending on what he is flying or has the gyro agency for that week. Talk to all the guys and go fly in the aircraft. I was told that a Sycamore will never fly with my weight (110kgs) and a pax. We flew this weekend with 200kgs at 6000 ft (touch and go's) without a problem. The 33 ft (alluminium) rotor works like a charm on the sycamores. They are the best value for money in the 2nd hand market at the moment. If you want to see for yourself then I can arrange a flight with one of the instructers from Rhinopark. The Magni and Ela's are also great aircraft but carry a larger price tag. I looked at everything and based my decision on safety and my budget. My aerie flies like a dream so I am very happy with my decision.

What do the Sycamores go for? Prices aren't in mags and always POA.

One of my strories

http://sagpa.co.za/sagpa/content/view/64/62/

Thanks so far,

T Bird's adventures is what really entices me. I reckon more flying in your off time with any pax would be value for money.

Hi Delta W

My dad who would did not even want to fly in Cessna’s after a bad experience,
is now busy with his Gyro plane license flying twice a week. He is 58 and enjoying every minute of it.