If you are flying solo in uncrowded airspace, you could legally get by with nothing more than a set of ear plugs. But to converse with passengers, monitor a radio, talk to other aircraft or air traffic control, you need headsets. There are many headsets available but only a couple we have found that work […] Read More »
Insurance Options
United States Ultralight Association (USUA) offers liability policies for approximately $600 per year through and O2 Sports Insurance (Florida). Join USUA for $40 per year at www.usua.org. Then contact: O2 Sports Insurance, Inc Tel: 1-855-351-0202 110 East Broward Blvd, Suite 1700 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Email: info@o2sportsinsurance.com As of 2020, liability insurance for a Cygnet costs […] Read More »
Special (SLSA) vs. Experimental (ELSA) Light Sport Aircraft
Every aircraft registered with the FAA (N-numbered) has an Airworthiness Certificate of some kind. The three types of Airworthiness certificates are Standard, Special, and Experimental. Standard applies to factory-built aircraft like Cessnas and Boeings. They are built to an FAA-approved design with FAA oversight of the producer’s quality control system. No changes are allowed to […] Read More »
Parachutes For Trikes and Light Aircraft
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 »
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 »