Air Creation Clipper 582

[Big-D]

In keeping with my tradition of writing about all the airy's I fly herewith my experiences in Dieselfan's Air Creation Clipper 582

Very, very impressive. 582 with 4 blade Arplast prop, very quiet, good lift and hell of a stable 15sqm Air Creation XP wing. Hands off the airy does 60mph dual and bar in 85mph dual and it still felt like we were in complete control and not near the VNE ( Pretty darn fast bird :D ).

After landing at Microland one fellow triker we passed on the way commented that we made him feel like he was standing still as we passed at 85mph

Air creation is the biggest manafucturer of trikes in the world and I tell you, I could see why. This bird flies like a dream and is very solidly built. We hit some big bumbs and the airy handled it no problem. I really wonder why we do not have more of these trikes around? Wonder if there is still a importer in SA for these trikes?

Diesel, I reckon we are all a tad jealeous mate :D

I am a believer. The french smoke to much and are not friendly towards english speaking tourists but they sure build good trikes

Anyone who owns a DTA want to invite me for a flip, PLEASE



D

[DieselFan]

Thanks for the words Big D, just got back from a trip to Bronkies, oddly after take off I heard another trike on radio, takeoff and then do a full stop . Weather was pumping had 20mph gusting 25, 3 inversion layers with hot and cold - cold enuf for my fingers to hurt through gloves and hot enuf to sweat . Dam was lekker but was rather nervous / excited flying over dam with such strong winds, albeit 1500+ AWL

Wind was so strong the crosswind leg was hardly straight. Slowest groundspeed was 18mph, climbed a little (150ft) and it was 35mph.

I've never flown in so many conficting layers before. At one point I had a downdraft push down by 300ft from 6500 - only to thermal to 6800, cruise control was on so I know it wasn't me jumping around

Flew for 1h15 and fuel used was a tad under 10. Altimeter had to be set quite a few times . At one stable point bar in with 2 fingers on each hand saw groundspeed 112mph Took off at 07h45 landed about 9.

I think I need a trimmer - won't do that again Still your plane is WAY faster in cruise and you now owe me a flip

My biggest problem now is leaving the airfield to do other things , the only thing I can think of when leaving is, right lets fill up the jerries and come back . But noone there

I got to keep reminding myself, I didn't budget on flying EVERY FYLABLE DAY / HOUR.

[cobra]

Hi Dieselfan,

Nice meeting up with you and Big-D yesterday, agree great trike.

I was up at 4:45 this morning and ready for a flight but the wind was pumping and I decided to stay put. Listening to my base station with no chatter at Bapsfontein, it was probably the right thing to do.

Heard you returning later , I'm almost sure you were the only one brave enough being 1" above the ground this moring

My savings is going towards this beauty below ….

[andreb]

Hi Roy

Seems people love your plane. I must admit she is a beaut! U still need to take me on a sortie sometime. We need to "baptise" the girl. I still think "Toby" is appropriate...
I noticed the wind this morning and u gotta have some big kahoonas to be flying in that freezing gale. Froze my butt of just going to gym on my bike.

BTW guys, I am new to the game and about 8 hours away from getting my wings. Really hooked and loving it. Can't wait to get my own plane. Pretty frustrating trying find a decent one. I was looking for an Aquilla or Raptor, but Dave has convinced me to broaden my horizons. Maybe Henk will bring his plane to Microland one of these days? She look to be gem.

Seriously though, if any of you guys knwo of a good plane going, let me know. Must have usual stuff, including good wing, low hours on motor (less than 300). Preferably something that can fly a bit faster. Just not a 503 please and preferably autolube. I can spend up to R140k, but that includes a balistic chute.

Hope to bump into you guys at some of the airfields.

cya

Andre

[Big-D]

If it were me and I had that kind of money I would buy ZU-FLY from the Fockership, no question.

Mainair Blade looks like my Precious with twice the lift (912S) - Does not get much better than that!

For a cheaper deal I would go for Henk's Mainair Gemini 582 - Think he wants 95k - Engine just been redone completely. I find it extremely puzzling that there are guys paying more for airy's that don't fly or look half as nice....

My 2c - Don't mean to step on any toes

D

[DieselFan]

Sias that is a beaut, look at how easy pax can climb in! It's like the Laborghini of trikes but without the speed - hands off Ok ok so Tanarg is Lambo and GT450 is Ford GT / Mclaren F1

Admittably tho your Cobra is very sexy and cool too!

Is it possible to have 3 layers or was I just hitting some weird wind? At 6' it was very cold but at 6300-6700 WARM and stable and then 6700-Max I went 6900 was Cold again.

The cold air was unstable and kept giving me downdrafts, my take off roll was lekker short about 20m-30m.

BTW Big D I calc'd us to be VERY VERY close to MTOW yesterday

[andreb]

Thanks BigD. I was looking at Zu-FLY, but I see it has been sold. If you know different then let me know and I will pursue!
Will definitely contact Henk.

[Big-D]

Andre - Some good advice from Chunky in your other post. Seems like Panarama is where you need to go look mate.

BTW Big D I calc'd us to be VERY VERY close to MTOW yesterday

Now where have I heard that before..? Oh yes, everytime I fly with ANYBODY except Afskies I am close (read sometimes over ) MAUW

D

[cobra]

Hi Roy, you should only pay 1/2 hanger fees. Just returned from the airfield and the clipper was out, AGAIN .

You claimed the title of "Ruiter van die windjie"

I`m not a MET guru, but watching the clouds from home this morning in the directions of Bapsfontein there was a 8/8 layer at about 1500ft (layer about 500ft) move out to the east and some middle cloud about F100. I believe the temp inversions was due to the low level cloud and with in a hour we had clear skies.

If my memory serves me right, my instructor always said, a QNH below 1015 in not trike weather, FAJS had a QNH of 1015

The UPPER AIR PROFILE BELOW FL100 FOR STATION FAIR (SAWS site) also indicated a temp inversion at 6500' this morning.

...my take off roll was lekker short about 20m-30m.

proves my point on the wind this morning .

Cheers, Sias

[cobra]

.. I can spend up to R140k, but that includes a balistic chute.

Andre, know this advert is 50K above the budget but I'm sure you can neg. I paid R150K for a 2005 model with 33h - the cobra is realy a pleasure to fly.

On Offer Johannesburg
COBRA MICROLITE: 2003, 582 engine, Spirit 15 wing, Stratomaster instrumentation and busscom headsets, A5 radio, Wingbag, Under carriage cover, Total hours done is 75 and still in imac cond. R.190000 neg (Meyerton) Meyerton R 190000 082-8208632

[andreb]

Thanks guys. Everyone is giving me really good advice. If anything, I have learnt that the world doesn't revolve around Aquilla's.
Flew a Quantom 912 today. A guy from JagAir in Cullinan brings them in from UK 2nd hand. What a beautiful trike. Bit piocy, but we flew in a pumping wind and the plane was stable and easy to fly. Apparently they cannot stall either. My wife says go for the pricy one and forget the budget.
Tx, Dave, I wil follow up with Meyerton. Leon in Secunda is also selling a Raptor with 70 hrs on for R148k, and this includes a brand new ballistic chute. Seems a good deal to me!

Hope to fly with you guys sometime. Dave, I inetnd to stop by for a beer on my way home from work one evening. I always see u guys in the morning and evening and I am green with envy. ENJOY!

Roy, we must arrange a visit to dave & Co at harties sometime.


Cheers

Andre

[DieselFan]

QNH of 1015...was I treading lightly? I had info from about 6 weather stations in and around Micro including FAJS, didn't see much gusting. Took off and apart from a bit of rocking going between layers it never lasted more than 50 to 100ft in the warm layers it was pretty much hands off just high ground speeds. What should I have been on the lookout for

In my limited experience the weather really didn't feel kak today? When I flew the Raptor / Aquilla, I did numerous hours of touch and goes in crap weather where the cart was rocking badly, worked my arms big time and hardly flew a proper circuit? Today I had very few bumps compared and the downdrafts were in expected areas as were updrafts from the ridge by Bronkies. So is my plane just hiding the danger from me? . Cause then I feel kak! Landings were bumpy till in ground effect then smooth. The last thing I want to do is see my arse I don't think I'm a good pilot at all for flying or landing if the conditions were that crap and it now makes me concerned that my plane is blanketing the danger or was it ok to fly?

I did notice one thing though is I'm fortunate to have a large speed range. One up stall of 37 to 90 with no wallowing or wobble, when the updraft "dropped" me my cruise went from 55-70 but with NO funny feelings or instability. Infact if it weren't for my ASI you wouldn't have noticed.

This afternoon wind wasn't as bad, no inversions and had some fun with Demon and his F16. The GT is alot bigger than the pictures make it look - and so is Demon's smile as he zoots by. I flew through to Bronkies again too, BAD idea in afternoon as 270 degrees is the way back and what object is in the sky at late afternoon . Did about 75 mins Demon.

Demon here's some evidence.

[andreb]

Roy

That is also a "concern" of mine. The aircraft (Quantam) hiding the conditions from us. However maybe it is not hiding the conditions, just using superior technology to help us cope with the conditions. If you look at websites of US and European trkes, then you will see that most manufacturers now advertise that their trikes can be flown all day long and in most weather.
I wouldn't be too concerned as long as you are aware of your limits and fell comfortable with the conditions. Just remember that if u r in doubt, then there is no doubt - dont do it.
I need to get my wings and plane now, as I am ithcing to go!!!

Andre

[DieselFan]

Looking at the QNH today

http://www.wunderground.com/history/air ... atename=NA

This morning while flying QNH was 1017 - 07h30 - 09h00. This afternoon when conditions were lekker as Demon confirmed QNH was 1015? Please help Sias, you can like to confuse and scare me.

Ps use the above site for planning trips its got great history and helps with Avg's etc goes back 5 years +. Just type in FAJS, FAGM etc.

[cobra]

Please help Sias, you can like to confuse and scare me.

This was not my intent at all , I agree with comments by Demon, I have flown in all condition and it is merely a question of knowing the limitation of your trike, and believe me I`m still learning everyday. The conditions today was flyable weather and I'm sure your answers to demon's three statements were all YES.

I was already strapped in this afternoon for a flight around 17:45 when I ripped off the PPT cord when it got tangled around my shoe no comms