Microlighters

Ok FINALLY I'm in the process of buying a microlight. :D
So now the fun starts.

New I can't afford it even though it is my first choice by far for obvious reasons. So second hand we go. Now the problem (and these are the kind of problems I don't mind to have).
Do I buy a fairly new one ( standard issue) in mint condition for 85% of the new price or do I buy the older, more luxury model with a 72hr since new 582 blue top for 45% of the new price including a trailer and redo it top to bottom?

The first one has a new wing but 365hrs on the motor.
The second one has 522hr on the airframe and wing but the newish motor.
How many hours is a lot for a wing?

It is like buying a two year old Carola with all the extras or a five year old BMW 520 .
Both value for money but witch is the best choice.

I must admit that I would enjoy to slowly redo the older one but would like to get in and fly.

I keep going in circles so that is why I need some advice from someone else (who is not trying to sell me a trike )


All advice will be appreciated .

Thanks

I would buy the Bmw, rather have all the bells and whistles than have the corrola whishing you had the beemers features. Ppl generally keep their trikes for long so make sure it's something you won't get bored of quick.

Cali,

Unless the newer trike has superior performance advantages with the newer wing, OR has significantly more superior instruments, I'll go for the older trike with the newer engineat 45% of new price.

There is only a 160 hr difference in the wing hours en for me that is not too much, I'll rather settle for the newer engine then, 300 hrs difference. IMHO

Thanks guys

I tend to agree with you both. I can rather spend some money afterwards and get it like I want it. Not like it isn't good enough as it is now.

The only reason I was wondering is the fact that a few people I spoke to today thought that 522 hrs was a lot for a wing. How much does recovering of a wing cost ( % of new ) and more important, how many hrs on a wing before you have to do it over?. The pictures of the wing looks very good ( I know they are just pictures but still.... ) It is very clean and neat.

This one is my first choice. Airborne X with Wizard wing. 522 and 72 hrs

And here is the second option.

Here we go again. It is 102kb so I cant upload it. How do I resize it again? Can't mail it because I don't use outlook.

That is an awesome Airborne Cali - Okes at AP tow hang gliders with it between 12am and 3pm and make it look easy!! They say it has alot to do with the trike

The trike looks VERY sturdy, not fast though. But who needs speed :D Oh yes, me..

I have alot of respect for Airborne - Don't think you can go wrong. Looks comfortable too

D

Yea, looks great.. :D and it has that spare blade on the prop (they only need 2 or 3 blades dont they), so thats a bonus.. :D

Big D wrote:Okes at AP tow hang gliders with it between 12am and 3pm and make it look easy!! They say it has alot to do with the trike

At that price for a night rating included - it's a bargain

Sorry, could not resist

Regards
John ZU-CIB

John Young wrote:

Big D wrote:Okes at AP tow hang gliders with it between 12am and 3pm and make it look easy!! They say it has alot to do with the trike

At that price for a night rating included - it's a bargain

Sorry, could not resist

Regards
John ZU-CIB

quite sharp for this time of the night!

At that price for a night rating included - it's a bargain

Sorry, could not resist

Dis oraait, byt maar vir ou Dave ka*k

D

The other trike

Cali

Go for the blue top machine. The engine is probably the biggest cost component of a trike so rather get a relatively new good engine than a >300 hour silver top powered machine.

You can always test the wing material first to ensure it is still good. just make sure the aircraft has been hangared properly - I know of an Airborne that was out at northam where the guy lift it under shade cloth and exposed to all the wind and dust. Wouldn't touch it with a barge pole but some ex-SA went and bought it anyway.

And you can always add the nice goodies like tundra tyres later.......

Thanks for the pic DF

Yip CW I'm with you all. I'm 95% through the process of buying the Edge X and just got off the phone with the owner. He assures me everything is good on the trike and I will have it inspected by an independent dealer up there before it is loaded or paid for.
I am not entirely comfortable with buying it without seeing it but there is not much I can do. I told the owner that I will trust him on what he says but if anything is not right he must realize I am a very very bad loser and wouldn't think to much of driving the 3000 odd km just to break a few bones. I think we are on the same page now.

Seriously though he assured me that it has always been hangared and I could see from the pic's that it looked good.

Now the trailer. He tells me that it is a boat trailer that he is converting into a microlight trailer. At first it sounded stupid but it's starting to make more and more sense to me now. The wing would lay next to the trike. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks for all the advice up to now.

Most of the guys here have home made trailers - boat trailer should work fine if it has the right ramps etc. There is a trialer design on the Airborne website that you might want to check out. i have my Aquilla trailer here so shout if you want to borrow it.

Cali this is what you should by mate.

A Bantam