Belgian Microlight Flyer

[kb]

Finally - here's a pic of my canary!!Flying out of Ballito

[Fairy Flycatcher]

I fly around La Mercy in any of the microlights which the students aren't busy with

Also have my new Moyes Sonic Hang Glider, Dragonfly Tug and Skyranger on the water. Can't wait :D :D

[RV4ker (RIP)]

What is a Dragonfly Tug?

[Fairy Flycatcher]

The Dragonfly tug is a little tail-wheel tug designed for towing hang gliders into the skies. It was designed by Bill Moyes and Bob Baily, and has a stall speed of 12mph and a VNE of 50! Great toy, but not a good traveller

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Any chance of a pic? (ultralight version of the SupaCub )

[Fairy Flycatcher]

Here are some from their website

Not the greatest qualily tho'

[Griffin]

The Dragonfly was originally designed and built by Bob Bailey of Orlando Florida in 1993. It is a special application aircraft in that it was designed specifically to tow hang gliders aloft. The Dragonfly is a taildragger in a pusher configuration with the engine mounted above the wing and behind the pilots. Controls are standard stick and rudder. The craft is a factory built unit. Construction is aluminum tube bolt together construction covered in presewn dacron sailcloth. The wings use "ultralight" ladder construction featuring leading and trailing aluminum spars connected by compression struts. The fuselage uses a large main boom mated to the pilot area with aluminum tubing. The pilots are one with mother nature on this baby sitting out on the end of an aluminum tube with nothing around but air.

Empty Weight 330 lbs.
Gross Weight 800 lbs.
Wing Span 34 ft. 8 in.
Wing Area 180 sq. ft.
Engine 582 Rotax
Cruise Speed 35 m.p.h.
Stall Speed 17 m.p.h.
VNE 80 m.p.h.
Construction Bolt Together, Aluminum Tube, Dacron Sailcloth

Wonder how they do it. I dont think I could run at +17MPH for a foot launch

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Larry did tow at FAGM airshow some years ago. If same method, they use a dolly wheel for the hang glider which stays behind on ground once airborne...

PS
Looks a bit like the Mantis?

[Fairy Flycatcher]

The stall speed quoted here is for engine off. It a bit lower with engine on, add a bit of a headwind and you will be amazed! Obviously I got the VNE a bit wrong I hope it has to do with 80km/h and mph confusion and not pure lying

But jcvb is right. You have a purpose built dolly and the hang glider and you rest on it in the prone possition.

You then lift off it once you have enough air speed and leave it on the ground.

The tandem hang glider comes equipped with wheels on the base bar and off the keel as well, so that you land on your belly.

Bob Baily will be here in 3 weeks to set the whole thing up for us. If there is anyone interested in meeting him and maybe doing some towing with him, let me know and I will keep you up to date with final dates

[Griffin]

Fairy F: I was not contradicting you . I went looking when the big J asked and posted the resurts without checkng if you had answered. How difficult would it be to convert from a trike to a hang glider? I did a power off landing from 1600' AGL the other day and the silence was wonderfull!! Made me start thinking hang gliding again. Must be the purest form of flying without growing your own wings.

[Fairy Flycatcher]

I think it will be pretty easy to convert to hang gliding. I converted from hang gliding to trikes, and was surprised at how difficult I found it (took about 5 hours for solo - expected it to be maybe 2 ) I think the additional workload with instruments, radio, engine management and sitting upright at the same time was more than I bargained for.

The most difficult thing to learn in Hang gliding is the flare-timing. You will recognise that much easier once you have flown a trike, as the flare is timed just before the stall, and you know by now how a wing feels at that point.

But nothing beats it! It is much quieter than your trike, because you are much slower, and there are less things to make wind noise. You can smell the cow patties in a thermal, and hear the baboons shouting at you from the trees. You are as free as a bird! The sink rate is also much less. 1600' AGL can take you as much as 15 minutes! And that with no lift!

We are thinking of just doing some gentle tows to 4500' in the late afternoons or warm summer mornings. No great distances , no great endurances, just enjoying 30-40min of pure flight. I think there are plenty of our trike guys who will be joining us, and you are more than welcome. :D :D

[Junkie]

Heres a few pics of my newly restored 88' Gemini Flash 2 Alpha.

This aircraft has always been an absolute pleasure to fly, look at (and dare i say to be seen in.)

All the mod cons (plus a few more ), very comfortable and performance to put many newer bucks in the shade . Ive flown more than a few and still come back to this trike as my all time fav -(will be up 4 sale soon if anyone's keen)



Enjoy ! :D

[FAWGie]

jcvb...
Does the FOkker appear on this forum yet? (The little one, that is... )

[RV4ker (RIP)]

jcvb...
Does the FOkker appear on this forum yet? (The little one, that is... )

Present and accounted for. (C page 3.) Hope to do convex on thursday, before CAA have chance to change mind.... Will post pics of the Fokker(s) in action....

PS
Will be flying missing man formo as 3rd Fokker is sulking on da mountain Bru.....

[Boet]

I fly my homebuilt Turbi II out of Loeriesfontein airfield. No mates close by to help enjoy the flying. Nearest flying club is at Vredendal, 150km away. I get very lonely!
I bought the Turbi as a rebuildable wreck in 1984, and first flew her in 1989. We have done some 1300 hours together. Power is by Lycoming, 150hp 0320. A joy to fly. :D