Fairing for Aquilla

[Cloud Warrior]

Is it worth while buying a fairing for my Aquilla? Do the longterm benefits outweigh the price (R6000 - gulp)? Is access restricted by fitting it? Does it affect handling? I am still deciding about the aesthetic appeal but want to know if it will improve speed , comfort, fuel consumption, etc.

[skybound®]

CW, I have a full fairing on my Aquilla. I bought the trike that way second hand. I am not sure I would have gone out and bought one if it had not had it.

However, now that I have flown with one, I don't think I could ever go back and fly without one. It really adds to the 'smoothness' of a flight. It was quite weird at first. On your take off roll, you can feel the wind in your face, but upon rotation the wind almost disappears as the fairing begins it's work. The first time as I took off with the fairing, I thought I had stalled the trike!

In winter it is great - I used to wear hiking boots to help keep my feet warm, I now fly in my normal takkies.

I don't think it helps with flying any faster (or slower) as we fly with such inefficient wings, that I think that is where our 'bottlenecks' are so fairing undercarriages probably have little effect.

It does make rigging/derigging your trike one step longer as you need to remove the fairing - but when you are hangared this should not be a detterent.

Here is a pic for you to help judge aesthetics:

[Smiley]

I also have a Aquila fairing on my Aviate Aspect trike. I must also say, once you get use to the comfort, no cold air over your leggs etc., you will not go back to flying without it.

Speed wise I find in a head wind, I do fly a bit slower than the rest, not much, have to pull the bar about an inch towards me to compensate. With a tail wind it's just the opposite x3!! Allot faster!!

Just remember, the fairing is a extra wing flying! In bad windy weather landings are more demanding and flying can be bumpy!

My rating: 10/10 :D Worth to invest in.
Photo:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/riaanemai ... pg&.src=ph

[kb]

With a tail wind it's just the opposite x3!! Allot faster!!

I guess it's abit like a spinnaler on a yacht - catches the wind.

[skybound®]

...tail wind it's just the opposite x3!! Allot faster!!

Darn - I knew I should have invested in the Turbo Fairing version

[Junkie]

Dont beat yerself up over the decision - go for it!

Check out the Mainairs, Cobra's etc
Civilised man

[Tailspin]

This is definately going to be one of the next steps i will take one day when i am big.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Question?

Do the pods fit on most trikes or are they maufact Specific?