First microlight experience

[Big Mac]

Hi guys

I have flown previously in a trike, cessna and other light aircraft. Nice

On Saturday I had my first experience in a 3-axis microlight - a demo flight in a Cheetah at Kitty Hawk :D :D :D Awesome As some of you mentioned - this is flying !!!

Lately there has been quite a few good things said about the Skyranger, and I have read what I could get. This plane seems great - especially the price. Any comments regarding a comparison between the planes would be appreciated.

I have also quite an interest in the Bushbaby. :D Price seems to be a bit on the wrong side of my budget. Any comments ? - not about my budget

If anybody is doing a lonely flight in one of these in the Gauteng region, pleeeeeze let me know. Would love to go for a flip, demo flight, in a Sky Ranger or Bushbaby.

Cheers

[Splitter]

Like one of my pax in my Cheetah said the other day "This is a gentlemans way of flying"

OK I know there'sgoing to be comments.

[Duck Rogers]

You're right.....there's gonna be comments.
And mine is......"I agree wholeheartedly!"

[Arnulf]

"This is a gentlemans way of flying"

Unfortunately I am a moegoe

So that rules the Cheeta out for me.

[Thatchman]

Splitter, I am confused. If it is for gentlemen, why are you flying in one

[Retoriqal]

Calling all Cheetah owners!
Come and celebrate the 100th Cheetah with Rainbow Aircraft!

We would be delighted if you would please join us at the Rainbow Aircraft hangar at Springs airport to arrive by 09:00 on Saturday, 31 January 2009 and participate in an impressive mass celebratory flight to show off our aircraft. We plan to take off soon after 09:00 to fly to Petit airfield, land there and return to Springs airfield shortly after a short break.

We look forward to having as many Cheetah pilots as possible attending this fun event, but everyone is welcome to fly or drive in to share in the excitement of the morning. Please let your fellow aviation enthusiasts know that we are about to turn a whole pride of Cheetahs loose! Hope to see you all there!

To assist us with the logistics for the occasion, please RSVP asap to Ray Cornelissen by email: sales@aerotrike.co.za


If you have any queries or require more information about general flight rules and joining procedures, etc., please contact us @ 011 817 2298.

[AndyG]

Hey Retoriqal,

Keep your posting to one section please. It is highly irritating to see it repeated under most of the threads.

[Grumpy]

Hey Retoriqal,

Keep your posting to one section please. It is highly irritating to see it repeated under most of the threads.

Agreed !!!

[Stephan van Tonder]

Part of the reason I would consider the cheetah over the skyranger is local support. Then they are constantly developing the airplane still so as new things come out you can upgrade. Although the cheetah might be a copy of the skyranger the panel and inside layout to me is much nicer and so is the cowling. The landing gear is also great and I just love the whole package. The skyranger looks a lot more 'spartan' than the cheetah. Seems you are JHB based so it makes sense seeing the agents are in springs.
I personally don't like the look of the bushbaby / kitfox airplanes and I really struggle to fit into the original bushbaby. Although I have looked at the safari and it looks quite a bit bigger they just don't do 'it' for me. Can't describe what the problem is for me - maybe it's those ailerons hanging under the wing or something.
I have shopped around a lot and price for performace for usability the cheetah still comes out tops. Also very easy to build kit if you want to assemble it yourself.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

big mac i think u need to fly in a GT450 one flyday afternoon with the riet boys

Flying a GT450 stuffed me. I had only ever flown old and tired trikes (no disrespect to them, but I am gatvol of sukkeling) so I was convinced a trike was just an excuse for a plane until I flew in ZU-FLY. That restored faith in drie hoekie K koekies.... Then I flew in the 450 . Changed my whole view on trikes...... I have Jack S experience in trike arena but I would venture the view that the GT450 is at the moment at the top of the trike food chain by some significant margin.... (Taurag looks impressive as well, but never seen 1 never mind flown in it)

PS
I have flown most of the 3 axis types and the 450 gives all of them (with maybe exception being the Samba, Sting and Flamingo which are not really in same class) a run for the money.... With a topless wing it should be even faster and easier to hangar making it even more appealing....

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Part of the reason I would consider the cheetah over the skyranger is local support. Then they are constantly developing the airplane still so as new things come out you can upgrade. Although the cheetah might be a copy of the skyranger the panel and inside layout to me is much nicer and so is the cowling. The landing gear is also great and I just love the whole package. The skyranger looks a lot more 'spartan' than the cheetah. Seems you are JHB based so it makes sense seeing the agents are in springs.
I personally don't like the look of the bushbaby / kitfox airplanes and I really struggle to fit into the original bushbaby. Although I have looked at the safari and it looks quite a bit bigger they just don't do 'it' for me. Can't describe what the problem is for me - maybe it's those ailerons hanging under the wing or something.
I have shopped around a lot and price for performace for usability the cheetah still comes out tops. Also very easy to build kit if you want to assemble it yourself.

Skyranger is fully supported by the old fart Capt Biggles in Slummies. I think it is significantly cheaper than the Cheetah. I have not flown the sky ranger, but have a couple hrs on all the cheetah's. My first choice cheetah would be 912 tailie, but BUDGET and MISSION will dictate. There have been many discussions of the pro's and cons of all the types on here. Seach and you shall find. Then test fly all those on your short list twice then reseach a bit more before flying them again. Finally sink all you cash into your dream machine and fly the hell out of it. No point in spending 3x budget on awesome machine and then it too expensive to fly r yu have no cash left to fill the tanks... I have a mate who has a small 3 axis lap and pap type "aerie" We all give him kak about it, but he flies 3-4x more than all of us put together. Match mission and Budget and you will win.....

PS
Don't listen too much to all that you read. GO FLY THE AERIES YOURSELF. Most have a demo unit and with cheap airlines you can fly just about anywhere in SA for said test flight for a couple R100's...

[Retoriqal]

Won't flood you guys again.

Sincere apologies,
Ray

[BOATCH]

Hi I can coment on both causei have got my conv on the cheetah and the skyranger and they both fly verry nice and verry forgiving.The skyranger have some points that i my oppinion are better , for1THE PRICE ,THE BRAKES,VISIBILLITY IN FRONT OF YOU,THE UNDERCARRAGE LESS PIPES,THE WEIGHT.Nice about the cheetah throttle in arm rest ,nice dash engine in the up right possition. But the price is good and the old fart in slammies gives good service .

[Retoriqal]

We're always looking for ways to improve our aircrafts..so, PLEASE mail us with your comments,suggestions,compliments and complaints: sales@aerotrike.co.za

As for the braking system; the new hydraulic braking system is nearing completion, we'll keep you updated on that

[Stephan van Tonder]

Boatch - do you know what a skyranger cost currently. Do you also have a kit option?.