AIR CREATION TANARG

[Thatchman]

Sexy machine. I think the GT could like to mate with one of those.

[DieselFan]

HIGHLIGHTS

1. ONLY ONE REAL IMPORTER
2. NOTHING LIKE IT
3. MATERIALS USED ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT
4. LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING (Not so tuff)

Firstly there's only ONE importer - Seybrand Strachan. In order to be an importer you have to undergo specific training in France for a couple weeks. None of the so called importers other than Seybrand have done this.

Why is this important? Well for starters most local guys are absolutely clueless about the technology AC uses and I have many finger poked holes through softer - by design - parts of my wing and this by HIGH hour 1000+ pilots. Obviously used to more traditional designs.

This is almost like the Big G vs others. Who would you trust to AP and work / setup your wing? Big G ofcourse! The AUTHORISED importer.

Anyone can import a trike from AC and "pretend" to be an importer. Truth is there's ONLY ONE who has been trained and is an AUTHORISED IMPORTER.

As far as Tanarg goes, there is not ANYTHING like it available and I'm not talking wing speeds etc. The entire undercarriage was designed on PC for almost 5 years! It employs a wire frame mesh which is EXTREMELY strong but still has crumple zones. The seats adjust for width as well! BMW also had a hand is some design phases.

You have to have a very LARGE production line to justify the extra effort and costs in machinery. All parts are LASER cut and therefore a high standard is kept from one model to the next. Same for the wings - Lasercut.

As far as the wings go speed range is NOT the only place one should look. Materials used are VERY important and often overlooked. Look at how effective the winglets on the GT450 are vs a normal Quik.

Eg The more casual wing (Kiss as found on FlightSimX) employs HYDRANET a very strong material and is made so that stones don't make interesting patterns through your wing - thats innovative? For higher speed wings, speeds that the iXess is capable of, AC decided to use TRILAM through out. The reasoning is that traditional materials aren't as strong and don't react quick enough to gusts or turbulence especially at the higher speeds, where a wing can and has torn. It has been hinted that we will soon find the limits of Dacron. A lot of modern sails on yachts use Trilam mixes.
The newer materials also offer better UV protection ensuring your wing stays strong for longer - sounds like a Staysoft ad.

According to some test results I have, the iXess 13 was tested to just under 290km/h without hassle - yet has quite a low VNE compared. Not all manu's have the same safety margins.

So is one wing the same as the next? There MUST be a reason why the world's largest microlight manufacturer employs "other" materials for it's wings. I can assure you cost is not one.

One can not just compare speed ranges to get an apple to apple comparison.

Also be careful on judging a trike by it's looks. Just because it "looks" softer than a "tougher" looking trike. There have been some examples of where some tougher looking trikes broke forks etc and an imported "flimsy" trike did multiple landings on the some bad runway - bringing in parts...

Looking at the World Champs the iXess wing has done very well and not necessarily flown by the French. While there are some wings that boast being small in surface area yet still have good lift without throwing a rocket engine on, what made the iXess 15 wing popular was that you didn't need a small wing to achieve high cruise and top speeds, allowing you a good glide ratio in engine out scenerios.

iXess 13 was launched around September last year but spent a long time in prototype. Another benefit that was mentioned about using other materials was the power needed to maintain cruise speeds was / is less.

Records wise (I stand corrected) The altitude record of over 32000ft (I have a 37k figure in mind?) was done with a Clipper XP15. The Cannon Runner guys were planning a height of over 40 000 with a Tarnarg too.

It is expensive but cannot really be compared, and will last you a LONG time. Trikes aren't like cars where you need to upgrade every 2 years.

Look at what your needs are and decide what is best for you - not what your mate flies. There is no perfect trike too.

[cobra]

Thanks DF impressive !

[joel]

Yes DF is right.
I have flown many brands of trikes and must say that AC is the strongest trike I have ever seen. AC is using very big safety margins compared to other manufacturers. It makes the trike a bit heavier and a bit slower than the rest but we have seen test landings by a test pilot in the Alps and he tried to smash the undercariage time after time till he didn't dair to go any further. He made more than 1000 hours on that first machine before it went back to AC for maintenance. It was still intact.
There are certainly other trikes that give you the same pleasure flying it. At least solo because with a passanger there is no comparison.
But if you want the right combination between quality, fun, speed and comfort i think the Tanarg is the overall winner.
Is it perfect? No it's not. There is still room for improvement.
I'm just wondering why there are no Tanarg's flying in SA yet. Around 12 GT450's have been sold last year i think. Is it a problem of certification?
Fly safely.
Joel

[Boer]

This is why this is such an awesome forum, you throw a cat amongst the
pigeons and what you get is an outhouse full of information to chew on.
Thanks guys for responding - go to Joel's website, it's very informative.
Now I only have to wait for the exchange rate to improve! Is it wishfull thinking?

[Big-D]

Now I only have to wait for the exchange rate to improve! Is it wishfull thinking?

Does not have to cost that much.... Tanarg is a great body but I recon a Clipper body with Ixess 15 wing will be just as awesome and cheaper

Food for thought


D

[Arnulf]

BOER wrote:

Now I only have to wait for the exchange rate to improve! Is it wishfull thinking?

I think you should order now. Doubt whether Zuma, Eskom, Kenyan crisis etc is good for the Rand.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Sit tight. I know a couple banks who financed King Airs at R10:$ and everyone (except the bank is crying).

Save cash now and give interest rates, Eishkom and the inflationary factors to settle down and then re look. If cash not a problem buy 2.

2c

[vliegvark]

Hey guys these closed trike is not my thing but if I had to buy one I would look at the DTA combo full stainless no profile tube just a stunning plane

my 2c

[Massimo]

Brrrrr beautiful, and since 99,999% of us all own Aquilla's who's keen to get together and develop a fully enclosed fairng for them?
Should do wonders for cruise, never mind looks.

[Boer]

Solo wings first have to design a new front suspension as the current one does not lend it to a fairing. Will have to have a big hole around the front wheel area. Otherwise I'm keen.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

I been bleating about this for some time. Appearances are 90% of the game. If it looks more like hi tech machine rather than "draadkar" I am sure there will be renewed interest in the sport...

Why are there so few trikes in SA with fairings?

[Big-D]

Why are there so few trikes in SA with fairings?

Alot to be said for not having a fairing - Visibility better and wind is lekka - Every time I fly Darkhelmets plane I am reminded that there are pro's and con's to having a fairing

Winter time - Fairing is awesome

D

[Boer]

We armgatte like the wind, as the weather in SA is so that we dont mind the wind in our faces but beleive me if you fly at 100 mph you want a fairing. With the slower trikes (50 mph) it is lekka. If you cant fly at 100mph or close to it you dont need a fairing, but at 9500ft with a ambeint temp of -13 you need it, even at 50mph.

[Boer]

I spoke to "someone" who is building a 100 mph wing locally. He said it would be ready for tests in 3 weeks time. Now we only need to get someone to build a suitable undercaraige locally. There is obviosly a market for it in SA as around 12 GT450's are already flying around. I will keep you posted on progress with the wing unless you also have contact with "someone" I have had experience dealing with him before and if there is "someone" in the country that can do it he will.

Is there not someone out there with enough "ba..s" to take on the undercarraige and fairing.