New trikes and options

[ZULU1]

This thread is going to obviously cause some controversy and only relates to trikes.
Now my plane a HKS engined Aquilla 2 is almost 5 years old, still perfect condition, engine has about 400hrs no problem, wing is mint condition as the plane is used primarily as a test bed, no its not for sale. I see many three axis planes coming to the market, no I dont want one, I like trikes for many reasons.
So as I change my car, bike, cell phone, radios, GPS and other toys, I would like to change my Microlight or at least upgrade (at this stage I am not talking about money) searching and merely looking at choices that are available for a new buyer.

Traditionally I would look at another Aquilla, but I want something faster, I am banned from Beach landings now so selling ZU-LUI and replacing it with many hours on the motor remaining I actually achieve nothing, so I want some thing more of a cruiser but also suitable for bush landings. Long range tanks and so on.

I would imagine that my predicament is much the same as many others, I would like something local, I am not saying that imported kit is inferior in parts/service etc. no; as I ship bits around the globe and thats not an issue. Merely its nice for a Bushbaby owner to phone KFA and parts are sent probably over night, Solo Wings the same..I am sure you get my reasoning.

Engine choice, two strokes are out of the question, no further comment.

Engine choices I see as follows:

I think for me first prize is the HKS 700 turbo, low weight, 80hp and obviously turbo charged would give me a very low power reduction at altitude and as I have had one (non turbo) and played extensively with it they can and do take the punishment. Obviously the fuel burn is brilliant as well.

Drawback is quite simply its a 500hrs tbo, they are £12,000.00 for a 700 cc aero engine is a lot of money. However HKS is not a mickey mouse outfit and fleet experience will tell if they will increase the tbo.

So option 2 is a 912 (not s) as they are almost the same price, live on the coast so i want the 912 low compression (price not taken into consideration) and ultra reliable. Now a 2,000 hr tbo is a nice sweetener as well.

Option 3 is the BMW that Oddball is playing with...

So now I am left with a under cart, now I want something thats comfortable, tough and well finished, here the Tanarg is the winner, problem is the ground clearance, but they are really good. However they are expensive. I still believe the Aquilla seating is the best available...

OK now I would like a local wing, it has to fly with a Windlass/Aquilla and also a GT450, now I see the only wing capable of this is the Air Creation Bionix. My mates dont fly GT450s so I am limited in that choice unfortunately.

So I have spent hours and after consideration it seems a Tanarg with a Bionix wing and a HKS turbo fits the package, but eish so expensive...They dont make them with a HKS turbo (yet anyway).

Questions I have to simply ask and this is a logical thought:

We have the resources in SA to make anything, we have three manufacturers that build bits, Solo Wings, Rainbow aircraft and Jenya. Probably others as well ? The fleet in this country is aging and I have seen nibbles of new toys and pics, Aeros 2, Apollo from Romania and several sub assembled kits coming in. Why cant the resources create something good. Pegasus and Mainair did in the UK and look at the wonderful products they produce.

Am I on the right track? have other people considered the same thought pattern as myself ? This is a case really that if we don't lobby the local manufacturers "en block" and utilize forums like this to openly discuss these issues, effectively our local trike industry will die and we will be left to exotic imports...

Paul

[Africa]

Paul, why not fit a faster wing to your rugged Aquilla undercart. The Aquilla under cart is built for this terrain. it can be punnished more than anyother i have ever see ans as you said its very comfy. If you can fit a Jenya wing to it that can do 80 MPH in the cruise and also stall at 28 MPH then you have what you want? Unfortunatly, the more rugged undercart, the more weight and drag which will sacrafice some speed and visa versa, so 2 options are either own 2 wings on the same undercart, one very fast wing to keep up with the fast trikes and to cover alot of ground then your slower wing to play around the coast and your every morning weekend run around? The Aquilla already mounts the HKS and the Rotax 912 and its all proven so all you need is a good wing that can do what you need, the Aquilla wings are better suited for the "lower" speed end allroundness..LOL But i agree, why no local fast ships??

Jamie

[Biggles]

Aerotrike cobra 912 ticks off most of the boxes.

[Trikenut]

Aerotrike cobra 912 ticks off most of the boxes.

65mph cruise
83 litre fuel tank
12Lph burn (912/s)
Awesome seats... i've sat in them and a couch is less comfy.
Lots of space on the panel (if you get a fairing) good for you Paul as you do a lot of testing of the AirMagic gear.
Great in turbulance
Built Africa tough.
Proudly SA.

Cost: +/- R450 000 with 912s and all the kit

Cheers,
Ross

*PLEASE NOTE: I GOT THE SPECS FROM RAINBOW AIRCRAFT (MANUFACTURERS) AND THE REST OF THE INFO FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD)

[AEROYOTA]

In our hanger we've got:
two Cobra's One Rattax 582, one Toyota 110hp
One Aquilla Rattax 503
One Winlass Rattax 503
One Air Creation single seat Racer with Rattax 503
Nothing like an Aerotrike Cobra!

[Trikenut]

In our hangar we've got:
two Cobra's One Rattax 582, one Toyota 110hp
One Aquilla Rattax 503
One Winlass Rattax 503
Nothing like an Aerotrike Cobra!

Can I please have your hanger!
I love myself a good Cobra!!

[bobthebuilder]

What ever happened to the trike that was being developed at JAG?