Now this should be interesting!!

[Zim Zulu]

any news?? crazy 145mph in a trike........ loosing it!

[John Boucher]

Okay guys.... SANITY PREVAILS!

The record attempt has been postponed until the correct procedures & criteria for the aircraft have been met for such an attempt. This includes the various responsible sectors : MISASA, AeroclubSA, RAASA & SACAA.

[bobthebuilder]

All talk again? This has been going on for what ...... three years?

[John Boucher]

No Bob...

This time certain parties (MISASA,RAASA & CAA) had to intervene as protocol was not adhered to and the criteria not yet met!

I have said that I want to see an all South African product succeed and I am sure lots of money has gone down the endless pit of developing this trike. To compete against a proven upmarket type eg. Quick & Aeros takes balls! But if your ducks are not in a row, you need to get that sorted before you even contemplate going head to head with these types.

To compete on the market, you have to provide a better performing SAFE & proven product at a more competitive or affordable price otherwise your project is just that - A PROJECT! Oh, arrogance or ignorance to the set requirement will persistently be a stumbling block to the successful culmination of this project or any other project for that matter!

[bobthebuilder]

I would love to see South Africa competing for market share, but .... lets take a look:

Solo Wings aren't churning out the volumes that they used to. They do however sell lots of income generating parts.
Raptors aren't in production either anymore.
Remember the hornet?
How many trikes are Rainbow producing each year?

Maybe if the global economic conditions improve dramatically, they could export?

Could the project doomed before the aircraft has had an opportunity to prove itself?

Considering all of the above ....... The Airplane Factory seems to have done well.

[John Boucher]

You make valid points and it does appear they will be "farting against thunder" in an extremely competitive market.

The LSA market is most probably an emerging market so to speak. The Airplane Factory have addressed a niche market, especially with the cost of maintaining the old Wichita aluminiums. Also to bear in mind that financing these older "bliks" have become virtually impossible to say the least. Sadly, the probable intention of the Sling was to provide the GA public of SA with an affordable replacement but I personally think this aeroplane is now priced itself out of the reach of the average Joe.

As for the Jabiru crowd in George... the market share they had or could have had has been dealt a blow by negativity due to poor performance & service delivery. I think it is a good product and have quite a few hours on J160's & J430's and thoroughly enjoyed the time. However, a product is once again only as good as its support and backup!

[bobthebuilder]

I think the Sling is a great aircraft. If the idea was to replace aging bliks at schools, then they have a great product. But .... I agree that they may be a bit expensive in the LSA class, given that it is locally manufactured. Imported craft with duties and sales commissions are not much more.

[cornell]

You make valid points and it does appear they will be "farting against thunder" in an extremely competitive market.

The LSA market is most probably an emerging market so to speak. The Airplane Factory have addressed a niche market, especially with the cost of maintaining the old Wichita aluminiums. Also to bear in mind that financing these older "bliks" have become virtually impossible to say the least. Sadly, the probable intention of the Sling was to provide the GA public of SA with an affordable replacement but I personally think this aeroplane is now priced itself out of the reach of the average Joe.

As for the Jabiru crowd in George... the market share they had or could have had has been dealt a blow by negativity due to poor performance & service delivery. I think it is a good product and have quite a few hours on J160's & J430's and thoroughly enjoyed the time. However, a product is once again only as good as its support and backup!

Cessna, Piper is really not that bad to maintain like any aircraft buy wise.

[John Boucher]

Ouch Cornell... wrong forum to punt that on

[Air Hog]

What happened to this record attemp?

[Bundy]

Hi Airhog,

This will probably not happen anytime soon. To the best of my knowledge the Thunderbird was sold to its new owner a few months ago.

The manufacturer (Cyclone Aviation) will need to build another one before such a record attempt can take place. I have seen this trike fly, and it is fast, but Record attempts need to be sanctioned in a proper way and involve all relevant ARO's as well as the CAA.

Regards,

[bobthebuilder]

This is such a pitty...... I was rooting for the underdog!

Do you know where it went?

[Bundy]

This is such a pitty...... I was rooting for the underdog!

Do you know where it went?

Sorry, correction to previous post ... THUNDERBOLT.... not Thunderbird...

Went to an owner somewhere near Graaf Reinett??? Dont Quote me on that though, have no idea who he is, dont think he is a forum member.... Im sure he would have piped up by now in this regard.

[bobthebuilder]

Is Cyclone Aviation still in business?