Now this should be interesting!!

[Nkwazi]

I got this on my email

"On 25 and 26 June 2011 JAG Air Africa will be attempting a world speed record and designated distance speed record in a Thunderbolt ST microlight. This exciting event will take place at the JAG Air airfield, 9 km North of Cullinan, Gauteng. This world record attempt is unique in that the pilot, Morne Van Rensburg, the designer and developer, John Alexander Grobler, the flying school, JAG Air Africa, the microlight owner, Brian Finkelstein, and even the microlight itself, a Thunderbolt ST, are all Proudly South African.

This attempt is not without danger as the pilot, Morne Van Rensburg, is hoping to top the speed the Thunderbolt St is capable of in order to secure the new record. We are proud to say that the Commissioner of the CAA will also be present to support and authorise this record attempt."

Guys, some safety issues here?? Flying an aircraft beyond it's VNE??

On a lighter side, any GT's going to challenge this new world record if its achieved??

[Bundy]

I've seen this trike flying in the circuit and let me tell you... She is fast as hell! Extremely sturdy construction and from what I've seen, VNE will not be a problem. This is a beast!

She overtakes you as if you are standing still. ha ha

Will be very interesting...

[wiskeyfoxtrot]

Got any pics of the " Beast " ?

Thanks

[Bundy]

Here is http://www.jagairafrica.co.za/cycloneaviation/a link to their website.. I think this was the original prototype. The new one is just a different colour

[Gaylord Focker]

Does sound interesting Nkwazi

Should be interesting , ill certainly make a turn ,good luck to all and hope all goes well, look forward to it , hope they got boerewors rolls on sale .

[Conrad]

The Vne of a trike is there for a reason.
I know.

[Grumpy]

Huh.............Surfaced again......
Should be VERRRRRY Interesting

[Ranger]

The Vne of a trike is there for a reason.
I know.

Hi Conrad
Have you experienced the bad side of Vne? I have often wondered about the effects on a trike wing when Vne is exceeded. Anyone out there have first hand experience of the effects? Would be interesting.

[Conrad]

Yes,
Remember, like on my trike there is a Vne for the undercarriage and one for the wing, then these can form another combined Vne for a completed trike.
The effects then will differ from trike to trike.

[Wargames]

What is the current record that they are trying to beat, and with which aircraft was it set?

What is the VNE of the Thunderbolt?

[Jean Crous]

I dont know Morne very well , but he does not come across as someone who will go into something unprepared
Jean

[John Boucher]

The CAA commissioner is sanctioning this? Really....

[Nkwazi]

They claiming top speed of 145 mph

[kloot piloot]

What is the current record that they are trying to beat, and with which aircraft was it set?

According to the FAI website http://records.fai.org the current records are as follows:

Singleseat trike (24 Sept 2002, Helmuth Grossklaus in a Grossklaus Silent Racer 12) is 131.52 km/h over a 50km closed circuit.

2 up is a record currently under review by FAI, flown in a P&M Quick on 17 Feb 2011 @ 164.53 km/h.

The 1 up record certainly looks like an easy one up for grabs.

[John Boucher]

So under whose auspices is this attempt being done?

FAI, SAGPA, CAA, RAASA, MISASA.....