How much can a trike carry?

[IFLYHI]

Thanks for the feedback. What I am worried about is that my figures show that with say an Aquila 582 with full fuel will allow only 160kg's to be carried legally. Even if I get my weight down to 100kg's, I will only have 60kg spare, limiting me to softness and small farm animals.

And then I haven't even taking altitude or density altitude into account. It just does not paint a rosy picture at the moment.

What is that old saying about "Hamsters and duct tape" I'm sure I'll get a firm grip on it later

[DieselFan]

Hi hotdog

Please note some of the trikes weights you mentioned are exclusive of the wing whereas the other weights are inclusive. Wing is about 50kg

[Big-D]

Alanmack wrote

Helmet, headsets, winter flight suit, boots and a mug of coffee in hand saw me record 127kgs on a calibrated scale a couple of months ago.

Better dig into those Boerie rolls if you want to be known as the "heaviest" Alan - I am now 129kg in my underpants Including the flight suit, boots, helmet and mug of coffee......Dont wanna know. Yip, quiting smoking makes you fat, this is a fact. Reckon I better start smoking again but then I won't pass the flight medical. Catch 22

In answer to the original question. When I was 123kg I took up a pax of 105kg with 35liters of fuel in a Aerotrike spirit 582 fitted with a GRS at Petit with an elevation of 5460ft - no problem. Would not do steep turns or anything funny but the trike flew fine.
(I am a skilled professional and this should not be tried at home :D - This definately exceeded the MTOW and I would not recommend it.)

Don't have that problem any more since flying with Dark Helmet. DH takes up the heavy pax which usually leaves me with some pretty young softness in the backseat weighing in at a even 58kg :D :D - The joy's of flying

[Hotdog]

Hi Dieselfan,

I added a footnote to that spreadsheet indicating where weight of wing was not included from what I could gather from the specs. I was wondering how much a wing weighs - thanks!

Thanks for the interesting essay alanmack! I love reading about these things and it is good to understand the relationship between speed and weight on an aircraft, especially when close to the upper/lower limits of the envelope.

I visited Sky Riders and Microland again on Saturday, and there is a lightweight instructor that is keen to take me up, so interim problem solved. I will keep on shaking them nasty kg's, but it is good to know that we will be able to get airborne.

Hamster and duct tape, nasty!