Microlighters

Hi Guys and Gals,

So, after many years of pondering, flight sims and Radio controlled heli's and fixed wing, I find myself on a mediocre salary, 29 years old and wanting to learn to fly!

Google, Micolighters.co.za, Avcom, reading material has led me in the possible direction of Weight Shift Trikes due to the fact that -
1) Potentially a MPL (LSA?) could be cheaper to start out (Who knows, maybe I'd suck at it, lol)

And... WS trikes so far appear to have on average lower hourly operational cost / initial purchase cost. Now before you beat me with a stick, lol, I know the Non type Certification comes into play here and some WS trikes can cost as much as luxury vehicles, so, I should elaborate and mention the second-hand market is what I was looking at.

Training money aside though... (and correct me if I'm wrong anywhere here please)

* WS Trikes are limited to winds less than 15 knots?
* Now what about Turbulence?
* Are there Flight Schools that rent out WS Trikes?
* How many hours Flying time could you safely put behind you living in Cape Town?

Windfinder show Cape Town to have fairly low average wind speeds during I think May, June and July with peaks before and after, but I stay fairly central and can honestly say I have never seen a WS trike up in the air in CPT. (Even flew RC planes near the two schools in the cape)

Disclaimer, lol, (knowing the forums by now)... please accept the above mentioned comments and question as coming from a total noob with the utmost respect and envy to those who do fly

* WS Trikes are limited to winds less than 15 knots?

Nope, you can fly in stronger winds. It's the cross wind component at the airfield that is the issue. If it's coming straight down the runway you can take off in practically anything, given that you only fly at about 50mph

* Now what about Turbulence?
What about it. The aircraft can handle a lot of turbulance, the pilot usually not. It's what you personally find uncomfortable that becomes the issue.

* Are there Flight Schools that rent out WS Trikes?
Yes, but it is best to get your own

* How many hours Flying time could you safely put behind you living in Cape Town?

average 100 a year, I know guys who fly much much more

Splat wrote:Windfinder show Cape Town to have fairly low average wind speeds during I think May, June and July with peaks before and after, but I stay fairly central and can honestly say I have never seen a WS trike up in the air in CPT.

There is a lot a trike activity on Cape Town but all the airfields are north of the city, between Blouberg and Durbanville. We fly right though the year. Even in summer there are low wind days/times. Sometimes it is in the early morning to miss the heat, wind and turbulence

As far as windfinder is concerned use the forecast for Rondebossie, It's a little hill in our area.

Pop in to Morning Star on a Saturday morning to see some activity. (take the N7 to Malmesbury, pass the refinery, De Noon informal settlement and Vissershok road. Take the right turn to Van Schoorsdrift (Cape Town show farm). 300 meters up the road expect a left turn (sign says Koeberg Flight Park)

Thanks for the responses Morph

The 15 knot winds bit I picked up after Googling the question so I thought rather post my questions here where there are True to life micro-lighters

The picture is getting clearer for me now for sure.

Actually I'm glad I posted this, I guess I had a different picture in my mind for some or other reason :D

Will most certainly make a turn at Morning Star.

Splat wrote:Will most certainly make a turn at Morning Star.

Great stuff. And by the way, welcome to the forum.

The best decision you will make is to start. The guys down there have a good reputation and flying in a trike is awesome.

I hope you enjoy it and welcome to this wonderful world
Regards
Bryan Erasmus
ZU BFR
Wings Park
East London

Morph sais it all.The aircraft can handle a lot more than the pilot.
I fly my trike in all kinds of winds. (IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE IN THIS CONDITION.)
You can hover in strong winds.
You can even fly backward's.
BUT BEEEE VERY CAREFULL SHE CAN BITE
KNOW YOUR LIMITS

Thanks for ALL the responses and welcomes :D

Ok, so the thought that Trikes were these frail little things is pretty much out of my mind now :D Certainly more so if their abilities exceed that of the pilot!

Trikes are generally rated for +6, -4 g's

if you take a max weight of say 450kg (depends on each model but the max weight licensed is 450kg) that means the trike is rated to handle up to 2700kg positive and 1800 kg negative during turbulence.

That is certainly not frail.

Most pilots will never even get to 2 g's during flying, so you have a fairly significant window of safety