Solo Wings news

[Solo Wings]

Hi All

For those who don't already know, Aidan passed away on the 8th of March after a short illness with a brain tumour. Aidan's passing has left a huge hole in South African aviation and is sorely missed by all. Howerver, what Aidan achieved was to build this amazing platform called Solo Wings. With 1200 fatastic Trikes built and flying, Solo Wings is an amazing success story. For any company, let alone one in the aviation industry to have succeeded in business for nearly 30 years, is an extraordinary achievement! A real testament to a man with a vision and his amazing products.

Well known KZN microlight pilot Craig Couzens has joined Solo Wings full time. A close friend of Aidans, he has been "unofficially" part of the Solo Wings family for the past 16 years. Craig has over 5000 hours flying Solo Wing's aircraft. He was awarded his South African Colours in 2007 when he represented S.A at the World Microlight Championships in the Czech Republic. He is also a past South African champion and a two times KZN champion. He is a current "A" grade instructor with almost 2500 instruction hours, and is also an Approved Person (AP).

Craig has an intimate knowledge of WindLass and Aquilla Trikes. During 1996 he was responsible for a large part of the test flying of the original Aquilla and in fact owned Aquilla number one ZU-BCM. He has also been involved in the testing of new engines and wings for Solo Wings.

Having spent so much time at the factory, he already knew all the amazing staff, most of the suppliers and also many of the agents and instructors around the country.

So it is business as usual at Solo Wings. We have recently passed our audit with CAA and have received our new AMO approval. We have an excellent working relationship with the CAA.

Although new Trike sales are slow, our spares, repairs and wing departments are busy. At present we have enquiries for 10 Trikes.

We test fly every new wing manufactured. We also test fly every wing that has had major repairs done to it.

Whats new! We have three projects in the pipeline:-

1. This is really exciting news. We will be offering the incredible Topless wing manufactured by Jenya of Aerossa as a standard option for the Aquilla. This will also be an approved retrofit. This beautifully constructed wing will bolt directly onto the Aquilla pylon. It has a cruise of about 75 mph and a top speed of over 100 mph. It also has a very forgiving stall similar to the Aquilla wing. It has got a "GT 450 type" hangpoint assembly, making it exceptionally easy to handle in turbulance.

2. We have fitted our first BMW 105 hp motor to an Aquilla. This quality motor comes with sophisticated electronics and fuel systems. Combined with renowned reliability and at a highly competetive price, this will become an attractive option.

3. We are looking at reintroducing our original light weight single seater. Testing of modern brushless electric motors and Lithium ion polymer batteries will get underway in the next three months. This will be a quiet maintanace free Trike, ideal for "cabbage patch" flyers. These have already flown successfully overseas.

Thank you all for your past support and look forward to helping you in the future. For all enquiries, please contact us at Solo Wings telephone 031 7002806 or info@solowings.co.za.

Best Wishes
Solo Wings Team

[Cloud Warrior]

Excellent news about Solowings and what you have in the pipeline!

Thanks for the update - was getting a little bit worried over here that I was flying a product with no technical back up.

All the best for the future!

Sebastian

[skybound®]

Excellent news that Aidans legacy will live on and in what seems to be very capable hands. Happy landings Solo Wings - may there be another 1200 trikes made in the next few years

[windswept]

Glad to hear that you guys are going forward. Good luck with the future projects. Keep us up to date with the goings-on at Solo Wings

[AndyG]

Having been good mates with Craig for over 15 years I think I can safely say that Solo Wings is in good hands. I know Aidan would feel glad that he has stepped in to fill the void left by his passing.

Cheers and may you guys go from strength to strength.

[Big-D]

Solo Wings Rocks

[MILO]

We have the Windlass & the Aquilla so the next big development should be an Aidan? I never met the man but understand he is a legend.

[Sad-Ham]

1. This is really exciting news. We will be offering the incredible Topless wing manufactured by Jenya of Aerossa as a standard option for the Aquilla. This will also be an approved retrofit. This beautifully constructed wing will bolt directly onto the Aquilla pylon. It has a cruise of about 75 mph and a top speed of over 100 mph. It also has a very forgiving stall similar to the Aquilla wing. It has got a "GT 450 type" hangpoint assembly, making it exceptionally easy to handle in turbulance.

This sounds like the route to go ! What would the price of one of these wings be? While on the subject , could an Aquilla II wing be modified to a topless and if so at what cost?

[zucac]

I can vouch for the good service I have had recently from Craig ,Denice and the rest of the staff at Solo Wings.
It has been trying times for them and I know they will go from strenth to strenth.
We will all miss Aiden but that will only give them the strenth to be better then the rest.
LONG LIVE SOLO WINGS

[Conrad]

Love my Windlass

[Coyote]

Great news guys - I had a windlass and loved the product and service. Long live Solowings!!

[Wart]

I wish you all at Solo Wings the very best for the future under the guidance of Craig. Keep up the high standard that Aidan set and you will go from strength to strength.

[Arnulf]

This is fantastic news.
Good Luck

[stevepattinson]

Dear Denise, Craig and team at Solo Wings,

My condolences to you all. It came as a great shock to learn of Aiden's passing. I have very fond memories of Aiden back to hang gliding days and my thanks to you Craig for teaching me to fly. After a couple of years on fixed wing I am now back to trikes. I am delighted to hear that you and Denise are driving Solo Wings forward. Also thrilled about the Topless! Will talk to you shortly about a trike for me here in the US. Good luck and look forward to connecting again after so many years. Steve Pattinson New Jersey USA stevepattinson@glendinning.us

[Blue Max]

Good news and GOOD LUCK to you..
Will there be trikes in production with a Jenja wing and a 582 Rotex motor.??