The right way...

[Trigger]

Hi All

I've been lurking around on the site for a while now but this is my maiden post. I've learned so much from you guys allready. My question is this, what is the right sequence to follow when doing your weightshift license. Do license then buy plane or the other way round? I,m about to take the plunge but want to do it right.

Thanks

[Tracer]

Hi Trigger,

Welcome to the site and Microlighting!

My suggestion would be to start with your license, make sure you get your medical etc, etc, before buying a trike!

Also, once have flown a couple of hours (as a student), you will get to know what you want out of a aerie and what to look out for when you want o buy!!

Herman

[nicow]

Welcome here.
I agree with Tracer,begin then buy.

[Trigger]

Thanks for the relpies. My problem is that the closest school that can help me doesn't have a trike at the moment, they can help me but with my own trike though. The other schools is just too far for me to go there over a weekend. I'm not sure what to do now Two replies on my post and both said the same. Learn first and then buy. Maybe I should wait it out a bit longer.

[Tracer]

Hi Trigger,

That's a bit of difficult one yes!

If you really want to start, go and visit a couple of owners, at a airfield on a Saturday morning and look at the different trikes they own! Speak to the owners, discuss your requirements and get a idea of what you should be looking for! You can then look for a trike to purchase and there are many guys here that will assist you inspecting the trike before purchasing it!!!

Problem is that should you buy your own trike, you will need to get registered in the school, before you are allowed to train on it!! The instructor also needs a rating on that trike in order to train you on it!

Couple of things to concider:
How much are you looking at spending?
What do you plan on doing with the trike? (type of flying you want to do?)
Where are you based, where will you be doing most of your flying?
Will you be flying alone or 2-up more often?
etc?

Respond to these if you want, the guys will respond and assist where they can!!

[SuperJohnie]

Welcome Trigger

Another option you have is to opt for a Bantam
There are a few flying in the Park, and you can do your training in Hoedspruit, Hazyview or Nelspruit.
Bantams offer great flying, and not as cold as a trike!

[Dish]

damn straight and more fun too (because your in the air so much longer)

[Trigger]

)

Couple of things to concider:
How much are you lokking at spending?
What do you plan on doing with the trike? (type of flying you want to do?)
Where are you based, where will you be doing most of your flying?
Will you be flying alone or 2-up more often?
etc?

Respond to these if you want, the guys will respond and assist where they can!!

Thanks for the info and advice guys. It will be financially easier for me to get into the skies with a trike than with a Bantam at this stage. My answers to the above is as follows

1. I've given myself a budget of R65K max
2. Flying around the patch but some cross country as well
3. Most flying will be done in the Hoedspruit area
4. I will be flying 2up for the majority of the time (Wifey wants to share in the fun

I'll go and have a chat with the guys from leading edge as well, I've heard only good things about them.

Eagerly awaiting your educated suggestions

[nicow]

From where do you wanna fly?

[Trigger]

From Hoedspruit Civil if I can arrange hangarage there.

[Tracer]

Thanks for the info and advice guys. It will be financially easier for me to get into the skies with a trike than with a Bantam at this stage. My answers to the above is as follows

1. I've given myself a budget of R65K max
2. Flying around the patch but some cross country as well
3. Most flying will be done in the Hoedspruit area
4. I will be flying 2up for the majority of the time (Wifey wants to share in the fun

I'll go and have a chat with the guys from leading edge as well, I've heard only good things about them.

Eagerly awaiting your educated suggestions

Not so sure about the educated part

1. Does the R65K include your training costs?
2. Based on what you want to do, you will be fine with any of the 582 Rotax equipped trikes out there! That would be the Aquilla or the Raptor. For these trikes there is still support, parts etc available! There are also a couple available on the second hand market!! Most WCM instructors will have ratings on these variants of trikes anyway!!

I would suggest speak to the prospective instructor, find out which trikes he is rated for! I would also suggest you speak to RAASA in order to make sure you comply with everything required to use your trike for training! (paper work etc, etc involved) Also remeber, you will need to obtain a trike that has been setup with dual-controls. If it doesn't have, you will need to have the modifications made, which require approval from RAASA, etc, etc (more paper-work, hurdles and cost)

Again, go visit a active microlighting airfield, speak to the guys, look at the trikes, maybe, bum a ride with a couple of different types of trikes.....

[Trigger]

The R65K is for the Trike. It seems like an expensive excersise to get "My" trike training ready then, money I could have spent towards a better trike or some upgrades and such. I'll head over to the airfield as soon as I can get out of the Park and have a nice chat with the instructors about my best options. You guys have helped a lot, thanks . It seems that training and then buying is the best option at the end of the day.

[bobthebuilder]

Problem is that should you buy your own trike, you will need to get registered in the school, before you are allowed to train on it!! The instructor also needs a rating on that trike in order to train you on it!

It is not all that difficult.

Where about in the park are you?