Tell me about everything (First post hopefully of many)

[emosolo]

Good Day to all!

I have been desperate to get into the air for many years. My first port of call lies with the egg beater machines, however due to financial circumstance, and the fact that I will fly almost anything in other words, what ever it takes, I have decided to visit the world of microlights. So Hello, my name is James and I am happy to meet you all.

Introductions aside, lets get down to the nittygritty.

I have had no prior training other than every Microsoft flight simulator that has come out... I have seen a couple of microlights for sale.

The first is something called a MAC CDL. I will be calling Peter to confirm this afternoon. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8477. I am going to have a look at this bird tonight, I believe that these are quite pleasant to fly, but a little on the slow side. I also saw posts with regards to the V Belt system vs the gearbox system and some drive shaft issues. It doesn't look like it comes with any radio equipment or ASI, ALT or anything like that. All and any advice would be appriciated.

The second one is call a Windlass trike. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5934. It seems to come with a lot of accessories and a trailer which of course would be very useful for transporting. Again, all and any advice would be appriciated.

It seems to make sense to me that I should buy a ML first so that I can firstly learn to fly using my own AC and this brings down the price on the actual instruction. I assume that all instructors have pretty much flown everything, so something like a MAC CDL or a Windlass trike shouldnt pose a problem. Yes, no? James youre being an idiot?

Fair enough, I understand that I know nothing and I stand before you with an open mind, let me have it!

Again, happy to be here.

[C205]

James I would learn to fly on a school's plane first before buying your own. Apart from the obvious reasons such as wear and tear in thorse first adventurous rough landings as you practice, you'll be in a better position to choose the right machine for your liking and purpose once you have some flying time. Armed with a bit of knowledge you'll be able to decide better where to spend your eager money.
Not sure where you live, but my first port (airport) of call would be a nearby microlight flying school and chat to the instructor. Then book an introductory flight and you're really flying.

[LarryMcG]

Try to get intro flights, on weight shift and 3 axis aircraft, before going any further. Talk to many people. Only then decide on your future, 3 axis or weight shift (trike). Agree with 205, at least get some or most training done first, and get lots of opinions before you buy!

Lm

[emosolo]

Hi,

Thank you for the quick responses. So training is really the way forward. I stay in Roodepoort by the way. I am a hard nut to crack I am afraid, stubborn, not my fault though, get it from my mothers side

Many of the posts that I have read have said that your first microlight will not be your last and I understand that one would be more able to choose something when one has experience. This is why I would like to lean on your experience.

I have a mental block when it comes to ownership. I like to have my own equipment, I enjoy the maintenance, almost more than I enjoy flying. I am into flying RC Heli's by the way, if anyone needs help with that, then shout, more than happy to help. I spend more time tweaking and tooling than actually flying.

Ok, so lets say I am hard headed and would still like to go through the route of purchasing first, what are my next steps, and with regards to the AC posted above, what are your thoughts?

I will however take into serious consideration what you guys posted in response to my first post.

Thanks Again
J

[Dre'man55]

Hi,

Thank you for the quick responses. So training is really the way forward. I stay in Roodepoort by the way. I am a hard nut to crack I am afraid, stubborn, not my fault though, get it from my mothers side

Many of the posts that I have read have said that your first microlight will not be your last and I understand that one would be more able to choose something when one has experience. This is why I would like to lean on your experience.

I have a mental block when it comes to ownership. I like to have my own equipment, I enjoy the maintenance, almost more than I enjoy flying. I am into flying RC Heli's by the way, if anyone needs help with that, then shout, more than happy to help. I spend more time tweaking and tooling than actually flying.

Ok, so lets say I am hard headed and would still like to go through the route of purchasing first, what are my next steps, and with regards to the AC posted above, what are your thoughts?

I will however take into serious consideration what you guys posted in response to my first post.

Thanks Again
J

Make sure you don't crack that nut on the ground, you are getting sound avice here. I will ive you an example of my experience. I was convinced 3-axis was the way to go. Never considered a trike. Was taken for a flip and the rest is history. Started 3 -axis conversion and found I tend to get motion sickness in the cockpit. Had I bought??????????????

Start your training fly a coupls of different options then start looking around. There are a lot of planes on the market and you will get as many different views on each plane. Not unheard of that a plane is bought and the pilot doen't enjoy flying. Every club has hangers full of examples.

[emosolo]

I hear you. Any other comments?

[Dre'man55]

Yes get airborne asap, be it a flip intro flight etc. The longer you investigate the more time is wasted in getting off the ground.

[AndyG]

MAC CDL is a very old plane. Nothing wrong with a Windlass. Have done many happy hours on them and spares are easily available. Browse the site and you will find plenty of planes for sale. You also have the choice of quite a few flying schools up there so visit a few and see where you feel most welcome and comfortable.
Good advice from the others, do a flight in both a 3 axis and flexiwing and see what grabs you the most. Flexiwing is generally the cheaper option to go unless you are buying something like a GT450.
Welcome to the world of flying and I hope you have many happy and safe hours flying.

Cheers,

[Wargames]

I hear you. Any other comments?

Yes, just one. Windlass is the best trike ever. The best looking one is mine, ZS-NEL's windlass is second. So, if you want to be third in line, you would have to look at LarryMcG's windlass in the for sale section. Gert's windlass is 4th, and would have scored better if it wasn't for his dash . Although this is merely my opinion expressed here, I believe that ZS-NEL, Gert and Larry will have there own thoughts on this.

Ok, ducking for cover!!

On the serious note, I do agree with above posts. You need to remember 1 thing. Aircraft is like woman. If you like a certain type, don't confuse yourself to think that all in that type will handle the same. There will always be differences in handling. That is why it is important to get a feel for flying first, before you will know what you like. Only then can you make a informed decision.

My suggestion: go and talk to a flight school (there is a couple in gauteng), and get in the air as soon as possible.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

Regards,

[Trikenut]

I have a mental block when it comes to ownership. I like to have my own equipment, I enjoy the maintenance, almost more than I enjoy flying.

Make sure you don't crack that nut on the ground, you are getting sound avice here. I will ive you an example of my experience. I was convinced 3-axis was the way to go. Never considered a trike. Was taken for a flip and the rest is history. Started 3 -axis conversion and found I tend to get motion sickness in the cockpit. Had I bought??????????????

Emosolo, NOT a good idea, I used to have the same mental block until my instructor told me that he had a student that bought a trike before he started and when he went solo he broke the forks on his trike while landing, he was fine, the one side collapsed as he was taxiing off the funway, anyway he decided he didn't enjoy flying anymore! But he couldn't sell his trike and he had to sell spares from it! This set him back 65 000.00 SA ront!!!

Dre'man55, I know what you mean, I also get sick in 3 axis, I have flown more and more in them though and am not so bad any more!!

[AndyG]

I have a mental block when it comes to ownership. I like to have my own equipment, I enjoy the maintenance, almost more than I enjoy flying.

Emosolo, NOT a good idea, I used to have the same mental block until my instructor told me that he had a student that bought a trike before he started and when he went solo he broke the forks on his trike while landing, he was fine, the one side collapsed as he was taxiing off the funway, anyway he decided he didn't enjoy flying anymore! But he couldn't sell his trike and he had to sell spares from it! This set him back 65 000.00 SA ront!!!

Trike

You save a lot of money when you train on your own trike and if people can afford to buy a trike upfont and then train on it then I certainly recommend it.
Whether he broke the forks going solo on his own or school trike it would have ended up costing. P1 (pilot in command)
Most schools have a "you bend it, you mend it policy"

[Cali]

I agree with both sides. BUT make sure what you want to fly first, Trike or 3-axis. Then you can buy a plane and save money on training. Go to a local school and fly in both.

[emosolo]

I think you guys have given me a pretty good idea, plus I have now heard both sides of the story. Can anybody help me out with a flip, who to talk to? I live in Roodepoort.

Thanks again! J

[extra300s]

Hi there.

I went the same route as you. Although I knew that I wanted to fly trikes. The one you looked at I also looked at when I joined the site. But I came to learn there is much more to look at before just purchasing a plane/trike. That is a single ignition plane (most are now dual ignition - more HP and a bit safer), which has not been flown for a long time. Thus legal stuff is gonna be tough. Yes it is far worse than getting an old car through roadworthy.

I went the trike route as they are cheaper than the rest and fun to fly. Go for a trike flip as soon as possible. There will be a field close to you. Just pop in there early tomorrow morning and cht to the guys. Sure a flip could be organized. Prepare to spend atleast R45000 for a good trike. Nothing less. And the training round about R18000. If you have your own trike you could do half the training on the schools trike and hlf on your own (should drop the R18000 to about R13000 me THINKS - still busy training. About to go solo)

So welcome, and be ready for a great journey! You will be hooked very fast. 2 Months after I joined the site I bought a trike and had hours under the belt And believe you me. I made the plan to get the money (first thought this is all way to expensive, will never be able to afford) Go for it!!!

Cheers
Keep us updated!
Karl

[bluesmancoops]

Hi there.

I went the same route as you. Although I knew that I wanted to fly trikes. The one you looked at I also looked at when I joined the site. But I came to learn there is much more to look at before just purchasing a plane/trike. That is a single ignition plane (most are now dual ignition - more HP and a bit safer), which has not been flown for a long time. Thus legal stuff is gonna be tough. Yes it is far worse than getting an old car through roadworthy.

I went the trike route as they are cheaper than the rest and fun to fly. Go for a trike flip as soon as possible. There will be a field close to you. Just pop in there early tomorrow morning and cht to the guys. Sure a flip could be organized. Prepare to spend atleast R45000 for a good trike. Nothing less. And the training round about R18000. If you have your own trike you could do half the training on the schools trike and hlf on your own (should drop the R18000 to about R13000 me THINKS - still busy training. About to go solo)

So welcome, and be ready for a great journey! You will be hooked very fast. 2 Months after I joined the site I bought a trike and had hours under the belt And believe you me. I made the plan to get the money (first thought this is all way to expensive, will never be able to afford) Go for it!!!

Cheers
Keep us updated!
Karl

hey Karl - where were you saturday?