Microlighters

Hi All,
I was just wondering... what is the added weight of the Aquilla fairing and how does it benefit the trike?
Thanks
Trikenut

TN,

I have a fairing on ZU-DVE and it does add some weight, probably 10kg or so. Never weighed it. It certainly makes a difference to the pilot in the winter - last year when we came back over the mountains from Sutherland, the other guys froze their balls off, while I only had blue fingers. For that you get the gloves on the crossbar, for the balls there is not cure.

Apart from the windchill benefit, I am under the impression (having flown with ZS-WUO last week in 30mph winds) that the fairing acts a bit like a rudder, and makes handling in crosswind an turbulance a bit more difficult. When I get ZU-DVE back next week, I am going to fly her without the fairing for a while to see if the handling is better with or without fairing.

Gert

gertcoetzee wrote:TN,

For that you get the gloves on the crossbar, for the balls there is not cure.

Gert

Willy warmer?

Arnulf wrote:Willy warmer?

Various colours available

Ek gebruik sommer 'n ou rugby kous

I have a fairing on "Charlie YV" I think its much like Gert's on DVE.

At first when I bought the plane, it was going to be the first thing to come off............ Its still on the arie and it will NEVER come off. I think regardless of the weight ( 8 - 10KG's) it certainly aids comfort and acts as a great "slip fielder" Dropped my camera twice , cell once and its also caught the GPS.

I believe it adds to performance (582), more streamlined, less head on resistance ! ( look at all these new trikes like the GT's and Tanargs - with the cruising speeds that they achieve, they all have fairings - I wonder if they could achieve the same speed and cart steadiness without the fairing ? )

My 2c.......... would like to hear from the GT boys on what their opinion would be.

From what i understand the fearing will definately make a difference.
The GT's definately need the cart spats for stability at higher speeds.

That is just my 2 Zin c

Sorry for the silence...
Gert, have you got ZU-DVE back and tested yet?
I think that the fairing would probably have an effect like a rudder.'
Does the fairing effect the handling and height on really rough/sandy ground?

After listening to many many different opinions i went ahead and got myself a fairing. Not installed yet, getting sprayed to match rest of trike.

My 4 main reasons for getting one were a)to be a little warmer in winter, b) get a little less wind c)i like the look, just finishes the trike. d) be more streamlined. But mainly for warmth and the nice look, and also a 3 wheels says, can be used to save and store stuff.

The more people you ask the more confused you will get. So if you like it get it, as everyone has a different opinion.
So ill see in the next 2 weeks how it feels.

Just like 3wheels, when I bought a second hand 582 Aquilla, it was going to be one of the first things to be removed. Well after flying the machine for 2 years it still had it on. Loved it.

Other than what has already been mentioned here, it does have the advantage of cutting down the wind discomfort factor. First time I flew it, I thought I had stalled on take off. As I rotated, all the wind noise and 'body battering' the wind normally does - simply disappeared. Decided to even leave it there for Summer.

The mean test is - when I buy another trike - I will want one with fairing. That sums up my position.

my 2c, it takes ome of the visibility away (looking down during flight) but who cares. Also gives you a rather 'false sense of security'. but after 2 years of flying - i also prefer it and would not buy a trike without a fairing again.