At first glance, a parachute sounds like a great idea. If something goes wrong, you just pull the handle and then float gently down under your parachute . . . But like all things in life, sometimes there are also negatives to consider. The big negative is inadvertent deployment. Almost as bad as having your […] Read More »
Flying Light Aircraft For Transportation
It is important to get clarity up front what you want from your flying so we don’t waste your time or money on something that is not a good idea. For example, the fastest and cheapest way for you to go skiing and see family in Virginia is to fly commercial. The second best way […] Read More »
Why Is It Easier To Learn On A Water Trike?
Simple answer, WIDE OPEN SPACES! Imagine learning to fly on a huge flat grassy field, with nothing to hit, no other traffic, and no obstacles upwind to spoil the smooth wind. In this ideal condition, you can always take off and land straight into the wind, and you don’t have to worry about hitting the […] Read More »
How Long Does It Take to Solo?
Short answer, 10 to 15 hours. I have seen it take less than 10 hours and more than 30 hours, even with a person who was a good student and is a great pilot, and now even an instructor. There are two aspects: one is actual skill and the other is confidence. Some people get […] Read More »
Single Seat Trike vs. Two Seat Trike
Choosing between a single-seat and a two-seat trike: An ultralight can only have one seat, but not all single-seaters are ultralights. What an ultralight actually is: FAA ultralight criteria (FAR Part 103) One seat only! 5 gallons max fuel capacity 254 pounds max empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices max top speed 55 knots […] Read More »
Maverick vs. Pacer Wing
If you have decided on a single seat trike, the next decision is which wing to get. The Maverick is tried and true. The latest revision is the Maverick 3. The Maverick wing is well proven and I can strongly recommend it. It has pleased many customers. The Pacer is also a nice wing but it […] Read More »
Is A Soaring Trike Right For You?
Many people contact us about soaring trikes, usually because of the lower price of soaring trikes compared to ‘regular’ trikes. Everyone wants to save money, so will a soaring trike work for you? First, what is soaring? Soaring is using thermals or ridge lift to keep an aircraft airborne without using the engine. This is […] Read More »
What is a Weight Shift Control Trike and How Does It Fly?
First some definitions: Weight Shift Control (WSC): this is the FAA’s term for an aircraft with a hang-glider type wing. These aircraft are also commonly called ‘trikes’, which is short for ‘hang glider trike’. Hang gliders are foot launched: your legs are the landing gear. As people added motors to hang gliders, they made three-wheeled […] Read More »
The Cygnet on TV
The Cygnet was recently featured on the popular UK television series “The Gadget Show”. We spent the day with the film crew while they got all the footage of Poly, the shows host, putting the Cygnet through its paces. At the end of the day, Poly rates all of the gear she tests. Check out […] Read More »