PatPux

I hope you get up soon, Andy, being the one who started it here!

No, landed pretty much as I would have without the trike, but I think you probaly could just fly it onto the ground. I flared gently, but a little early , as it happens, then levelled and flared again progressively. I flew with my legs dangling, so there is a slight change of attitude in the trike when you put your feet forward onto the front wheel pedals, and your CofG moves forward slightly, but really nothing significant. It was only a short flight, so during the next few I will explore and try to understand fully the significance of shifting weight both fore and aft, and side to side.

Well I've finally test flown the trike! And its fair to say it was a complete success. I had, had an outing about a week ago where I set up to fly but binned one launch then the wind got up so aborted the session, but today I got out early on a very still morning and set to go again. This time I made sure there was no hesitation as the wing had that initial check as it starts to come up, I kept the power on and kept the trike moving forward. I then allowed the speed to build until it was very nearly flying before applying the slightest of brake to unstick. I must have been pointing slightly off the wing track because I got a bit of sway as I lifted off, but nothing scary. Climb out was very positive with full throttle on the Moster plus. OK I was lightly loaded for this maiden flight, with only 4 litres of fuel and no flight deck, but I would judge there still to be plenty of power for climbing even if carrying another 5-10kg. My TO weight today would have been about 40kg plus 105kg of me, so I will always be well within the 70kg trike AUW limit of 70kg. Also within specified max for the wing of 160kg. Landing was super smooth, but fast . Although not really noticeably faster than my normal feet/ bum landing- the reason for which I have switched to a trike. The trike touched down pretty level, perhaps the rear momentarily ahead of the nose wheel, the wing stayed overhead as I came to a stop in a few paces, and gently fell in front of me despite pulling hard right brake after initial touch down , but it was nil wind. Now for a few more flights to prove it wasnt all a fluke! http://Trike Maiden

Mine just about sat on the bar, but in the flying position is well above, so I have split the difference for the taxi-ing position

Finished the trike this morning. The video below is a tour of the completed trike. Its quite long at 7 minutes and is intended as a reference for anyone building one https://youtu.be/UvSfU6Inpqk

I think , I get you. Where you tape the tie on tape well over the cut end to smooth it out, so if a line jumps out it doesnt then snag under the cut end http://Snag

Would be interested to see the wheels. Not only lighter in weight, but on the wallet, I wouldnt mind betting!

Taxi tested the trike yesterday, and it went well. Nothing fell off! Although I need to beef up the seat support, So, just about ready to fly it. But I need ideas and advice on the line guides that go on the cage. What? and Where? The PAP ones look good but €42 seems a bit steep, so what do people use? Do I recall seeing a large electrical cable tie used , strapped vertically? And Where? At mid height of cage or higher? https://www.facebook.com/100005854994168/posts/900830113455480/

So in the best tradition of the late Colin Chapman I have spent the day adding lightness, removing all superfluous material and tidying stuff up. And Ive managed to get the trike down to under 11kg, which I'm very pleased with. My target when I started was 14. http://Lightening http://Front Pick up brackets Macro V2 http://Pick Up Brackets Macro V2, _2 More photos in the Album

Haha. But yes, makes you realise how time flies

How it sits now. http://levelled after tube bend

Well, couldnt find anyone to bend the tube, all too scared of breaking it. So in best Heath Robinson tradition I did it myself, using Acrows , scaffold clips, oak packers, sand filling and most of my 100kg on the end of a pretty big lever. Went like a dream http://Sand Filling http://Setting up http://Go On My Son! http://Finished

A few Berkshire pilots are meeting in The Elephant in Pangbourne this evening at 8pm (Thursday 30th August 2018). Anyone is welcome

Weight check. 45kg on a wheel in this condition, there is a little more to add but should be well within 55kg per wheel max allowable load. http://image

Not sure. Taxi testing this weekend probably.