Microlighters

I have never flown in a fixed wing microlight. Like the nice ones that Agent and Boet has for sale. They both look damn good to me.
Question....Can you fly with them in more wind and turbulance than with a weight shift?
What would their all up wieght be and what does a plane like that weigh more or less? Speed?

At our level, you would most certainly be able to fly in stronger wind conditions and have less worry on flyaways.

Upsides
Speed and maybe range advantages
85mph Nose/ 100mph tailwheel with a 912,
Range (safe) 4hrs+ with 2x50l tanks
Less intimidating in an enclosed cabin if heay weather and rain

Dont be fooled though that you wont "feel" turbulance or have your hands full on final approach and landing with a crosswind and/or gusting conditions (like our easterlys get), and add to that if flying a tailie

Some downsides:
More schlep fitting into and moving in/out of hangers,
Trailering (some cant),
Packing space and some have limited fuel capacities
Yes, you can get a hell of a lot more loaded into a trikes saddle bags and belly bags if 2 up.

Take off & landing options a a bit more limited, but u can put BB down in a very short space - i know
Usually more expensive than average trikes (except if your importying)
Soon all A/c will be requird to fit transponders so its another consideration i suppose

Best Val for money in SA today.. BB recently renamed (Boet Babies)

One major advantage of the 3-axis vs trikes especially in turbulent weather is 3-axis are less physically demanding than trikes. You don't require physical strength to fly them. I know of guys who have done the extended trips in trikes and 2 hours in thumping turbulance will make you very very tired. Naturally the wing loading on a 3-axis is higher ( Smaller wing) as is the speed, these two reduce the effect of turbulance on the plane. Additionally you have more control in cross-wind situations

Morph man.
What would the weight limit ( me, pax and fuel) be on say a plane like the ones Boet sell?

Bacchus wrote:Morph man.
What would the weight limit ( me, pax and fuel) be on say a plane like the ones Boet sell?

The legal limit is the one as per your category ie. 450 kgs all up, etc. MT BB with 912 comes in at 260-280 kgs. Add you and Pax, another 180 kgs 70 litres of fuel = 50kgs. Already 490 to 510 kgs. Add 20 kg baggage = 510 to 530 kgs.

BUT, 912 BB's can easily carry 2 heavy pax of 110 kgs each, full 100 litre tanks @ 72 kgs and 20 kgs baggage.

Bacchus,
Waai kant toe werk daai kop?

Additionally you have more control in cross-wind situations

Hmmmmm, I am not so sure about this! I think I will land in a crosswind where AUK or NEXTAUK will not want to land. See my log on http://www.zu-dve.com for 20060205 where I landed in a crosswind of 24 knots. Once I have landed I regret having landed. And a crosswind in flight - well, the trike might weathercock but it still flies.

gertcoetzee wrote:

Additionally you have more control in cross-wind situations

Hmmmmm, I am not so sure about this! I think I will land in a crosswind where AUK or NEXTAUK will not want to land. See my log on http://www.zu-dve.com for 20060205 where I landed in a crosswind of 24 knots. Once I have landed I regret having landed. And a crosswind in flight - well, the trike might weathercock but it still flies.

ZU-AUK, being a clipped wing Challenger has a max. cross wind component of 30mph

Ou man. Ja nee, jy weet, ja well no fine en so aan. Ek wonder maar net so bietjie...

Bacchus wrote:Ou man. Ja nee, jy weet, ja well no fine en so aan. Ek wonder maar net so bietjie...

.......jy wonder in die regte rigting

Miskien moet ek n flip "bum" by iemand......dis nou te se as ek gaan pas in die goedjies!