3-axis v Trike help please

[allcylinders]

Hello all, really enjoying this forum.... Could do with some advice please.

I am a fairly low airtime pilot, I used to have trikes at my disposal that I could rent and fly as needed. Have since moved to small dorp with only few trikes and none for hire. I am now looking at buying something but as I have been hunting around have seen a few 3-axis machines close to my price range (well below 100k by the way) and wonder if I should be looking in that direction. Can someone give me a basic summery of the pros and cons of each please. Biggest question is the conditions that either can handle.

If this has been addressed before please point me to it....

Thanks all

[swiftprop]

:D I am not the expert, but maybe (for my 1c worth) you should look at what you would enjoy flying the most. Especially if you want a closed plane 3 Axis is the way to go......Depends if you just want to fly in your lacal area or do more serious cross countries?

[Fairy Flycatcher]

Trikes can handle just about any conditions fixed wings can. I remember at the Avcom Orphan's day at La Mercy, there were about 8 light aircraft, all piloted by experienced pilots, from 4-seat Jabiru to Yak, to Cessna 175, to Piper Cherokee140. 4 of these stopped flying at about 11 am because of the nasty cross-wind. The trikes were still doing flips for the public by 12:30.

Trikes can be very forgiving in turbulence, as they flex and spill excess G-forces. The trick is to know what kind of turbulence you are dealing with. There is some turbulence no aircraft should be flying in. (i.e. Thunderstorms and Rotor)

I fly hang gliders, trikes, fixed wing microlights, and will have my commerial pilot's licence in about 2 weeks. Of all these, trikes are by far the most fun, and I choose them if I want to fly for myself. I also think its the safest. The speeds at which we fly are much more forgiving to the human body should you stuff up than the average 3-axis.

Trikes are easy to look after by yourself, easy and straight-forward to maintain.

Many pilots I know who have gone to 3-axis, or even helicopter, because they thought that it would be better for them because of the 'turbulence handling' have been sorely dissapointed.

Some people will sell you on fixed wing because you can 'use it for transport'. If you don't have an instrument rating, and very often, even if you do, the saying goes : 'Time to spare, go by air' It is only a transport option if you are willing to wait many days in some place waiting for the weather to clear.

If you like the open-cockpit-seat-of-the-pants flying, being a part of the sky, and looking down past your feet to see the scenery, stick with trikes.

[Dre'man]

Depends how big you are as well, most 3 axis are too small for the bigger guys to get in to. I am 6'2. Flew trike in the morning in relatively bumpy conditions and was fine. Landed and climbed into a cheetah. Did little more than a circuit, felt claustrophobic and by the time we were on finals was ready to my head was also against the frame.
Climbed into a Jab once, nearly had to call for the jaws of life to get me out. there was no way I could have worked pedals and stick would not be able to go left.

Everyone wants 3 axis because better in the bumps. Would rather be in a trike!

[Biggles]

At the moment the trike market is definitely a buyers market. So bang for buck trikes are the way to go at the moment. For around 100k you can get some lovely trikes...

Its important to get something you are comfortable with and enjoy flying. I am sure someone would love to give you a flip in a 3 axis type that you are thinking of buying.

[allcylinders]

Wow thanks for the responses’, :D Based on what I read here I feel confident that for now at least I can stick with trikes. Now I need to find one, have been looking, as biggles says a few well priced trikes at the mo. Anyone got ideas on the Scout, there seem to be alot of them for sale... why I did all my training on the Safari and think it is well constructed, can't understand why so many Scouts for sale.

Thanks again for the advice

[Dre'man]

Check the for sale sction, there is an awesome Cobra for R115k, flew Safari before that and no comparison. Call Russ from Rainbow airschool, he will take you for a flip.

Would have been mine already but the damn shop gave me the wrong lotto ticket again. When will they get it right, service in this country sucks.

[Big-D]

Ah the trike vs 3 axis debate......

Tough one - I reckon if you can fly both then you don't have to decide which is best. I have been flying trikes for 2 years and reckon I am going to do my 3 axis mpl too.

Even though I reckon I am a triker at heart I would like to broaden my horizons and learn to fly 3 axis.

As for the turbulance issue - I have a Mainair Gemini which is a very good turbulance handler (Much better than any other trike I am rated on) and must be honest and tell you that a Cheetah 3 axis does feel more stable in the bumps to me than the Gemini - My 2c

Both have pro's and cons - Ultimately I want to own a Challenger 3 axis and my Gemini - My wife reckons when that day comes I will probably want a Gyro too - Probably right

This is an expensive hobby - A little more than 2 years ago I remember sitting on a Suzuki Hyabusa Superbike on a showroom floor with the OK to buy from my wife - I told her I want to check out flying first.....The rest is history. I bet she wishes I went with the Hyabusa....

D

[DarkHelmet]

I concur with Big D. I am a die hard triker and I too want to get my 3-axis MPL.

I have a need to travel lately and travelling by Trike is an expedition, not a journey.

My mission is to go for a flip in anything that lifts off from Terra Firma.

Honestly, to date, flying my trike is still the most affordable experience!

My most memorable flight however was in the Eurocopter based at Cathedral Peak. "Wait - I saw a waterfall!", the pilot applied the "brakes" and we hovered backward to oogle at it.

At 7mil Euro I prefer my trike though.

Flying is something that pumps in your blood and you cannot live without it. (I have not had a fix in 2 weeks and I am feeling it!)

[Big-D]

(I have not had a fix in 2 weeks and I am feeling it!)

Drawback of being a vetgat and flying a Gemini - Wish you could have paxed with me this morning DH - Magic flight, low level over Harties, followed ridge - Visisted uncle Flo - Not far but downright awesome - Zen- like

Hang in there Bro - Your bird will be ready soon, and The Lone Ranger and Tonto will ride again... (One of these days we will have Bollywood tagging along too )

D

[Biggles]

allcylinders

The scout is a brilliant undercarriage, sturdy, made from steel but almost the same weight as the safari, but alot stronger. No issues with rust either as I did some research before getting mine. Just remember though the "scout" is just the undercarriage. Its the wing that bears the flight characteristics.

Currently there are two models of scout out. The latest has a bend in the pylon for passenger comfort and the wing is easier to derig and rig.