Kauai Ultralight Lesson

[midlifeflyer]

I forgot about the ultralight topic here.

We were on Kauai in November and I took an ultralight lesson while there. We videoed most of the flight and I have a 4-minute segment of it on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG2N2WY2IL8

 

[Almerick07]

I miss those guys down at salt pond...i used to fly the skydivers out of there at port allen. Youre lucky you got to go, those poor ultralight guys get winded out nearly everyday...as did our skydivers.

 

[Huggyu2]

Nice. I'm really thinking about getting a trike, and this just adds to the desire. Plus, Airborne just came out with a new one that fits my bill almost perfect.

 

[AV80R]

How much would it cost to buy a kit?

Midlifeflyer - how hard was it to fly? I've flown gliders before but not hang gliders, especially "powered hang gliders" (I think that’s the term for this gizmo, right?) Any idea how much it would cost to purchase one of those "trikes" ?Thanks for the replies anyone in the know...

 

[Huggyu2]

AV8OR,
I think the trike in the video is new Air Creation one. Probably around $40K. Airborne is my favorite trike manufacturer. They will probably run from the low $20's to the high 30's, depending on which model. If there are dealers on both coasts. If you want more info, PM me.

 

[AV80R]

Huggyu2 -

40K wow, I was hoping for a “little” less but then again, don’t we all? LOL

I think that maybe in a year or so I’ll be definitely looking into getting one, I went to Airborne website and saw the model you’re probably thinking of – Redback – am I correct? I think one with tundra wheels would be a great looking aircraft.

What are the regulations on those things anyway? Would I need to register one, what about insurance, etc? I got my ATP, and Commercial single engine, but I’m not even sure if I need a license to fly it? How much do you think a Redback with all the extras would cost? $25 - $30K?

If you do buy one please stay in touch and let me know how you like it, dos and donts, I’d greatly appreciate it. Also, before I buy one I’ll probably go to one of the dealers and ask for a “ride” to see that I can handle it and that it’s a s cool as I think it is.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Midlifeflyer - how hard was it to fly? I've flown gliders before but not hang gliders, especially "powered hang gliders" (I think that’s the term for this gizmo, right?) Any idea how much it would cost to purchase one of those "trikes" ?Thanks for the replies anyone in the know...

The only funky thing about it is that, being weight shifted like a hang glider, the control inputs are reversed from what we are used to with a yoke or stick.

So, pushing forward rather than pulling back increases AoA to climb. Same for turns - an arm motion to the left, rather than right stick, results in a right turn. Even toward the end of that hour flight I still had to think about what I was doing.

BTW Huggy and AV8OR, that particular trike runs almost $60G. Part of it is that it's a new model that qualifies as a weight shift LSA so it's registerable under the new light sport aircraft regs. I don't know a lot about those regs, but the certification regs are in FAR 21 and the pilot qualification regs are, as usual, in Part 61 with most in Subpart J.

 

[Huggyu2]

Correct: I mis-spoke. It looks like an Air Creation Tanarg in the video, and they are pricey indeed!
I assume they made some changes, as I heard customers were complaining about cracks in the extensive fiberglass pod when it came out.

 

[BushwickBill]

Do those winglets on top of the wheel pants help? I was thinking of putting those on a 152.

 

[prasunsen]

Wow, that was a very exciting video.
By the way you should definitely be able to buy a cheaper trike. I've seen brand new ones for about $15 - 20k here in Bulgaria and they are imported from UK. Second hand is cheaper

 

[Huggyu2]

Pegasus is a UK company, and they make a good trike. However, they've decided not to import into the US.
I did hear at Oshkosh this year that they are reconsidering that policy. However, I believe they are much more than $15K-$20K.
You tend to get what you pay for. Me, if I buy one, it will be an Airborne.