Guy

I agree completely. Although I have no high regard for the antics of Capt. Kurt Fister as mentioned elsewhere on this site, he does have a useful if unnecessarily long video on u tube about setting out the wing for a trike launch. It is certainly the way that I do it and so far all ok. A lot cheaper and more convenient than any further tuition.

I agree completely. Although I have no high regard for the antics of Capt. Kurt Fister as mentioned elsewhere on this site, he does have a useful if unnecessarily long video on u tube about setting out the wing for a trike launch. It is certainly the way that I do it and so far all ok. A lot cheaper and more convenient than any further tuition.

Morning all, what great weather for it and good luck to all those new pilots taking to the air for the first time this week. What I really wanted to ask for is, as the title suggests, recommendations for a trike wing. I fly what was originally a Powerchute powered parachute, but the wing was horrible. I subsequently converted the head plate to take a paraglider wing and have very successfully flown an Ozone Magmax 38 for the last 2 years. All is well except that it is a bit (or a lot depending on your view a lot) on the slow side. I was warned about this before I bought the wing but at that time I was happy to take something on which I could safely build my hours. I now feel more confident in flying in wind (always moderate of course) but am in danger of not getting back to the airfield if I fly downwind. I would also like to go XC a bit more. I would like to consider something a bit quicker, probably not reflex, that can take the weight of 100kg trike...........even better if someone has something for sale. Many thanks. Guy

Thanks everyone for taking the time to add your views. I live in rural Shropshire, so plenty of open fields and no airports nearby . I am acutely aware of livestock as I have farmers as friends, but still plenty of crop fields to take a closer look at this year I think but something tells me I'm very unlikely to get as low as some of you guys. Happy and safe flying to all.

I don't like the cold so not a lot of flying at the moment, but thinking of the year ahead, at what height do people most enjoy flying at? I've tended to stay between 1000' and 2000' as I've always been worried about having plenty of choice for a landing spot in the event of an engine failure (which has never happened), but I see loads of videos at much lower altitudes that appear to be more engaging. I don't want to upset anyone on the ground and don't want to break the 500' rule, but an altitude of 300' or so and keeping away from buildings could be more interesting..........others are apparently flying a lot lower than that. Just interested in your thoughts and experiences. Guy

Hi, I think they are based in Tenbury Wells which is only 10 miles or so from where I live. I've seen him flying around for some time and have spoken to him on the phone, but never had any dealings with him. From what I hear he seems to be a regular guy nothing shady at all, but as I said I've never handed any cash to him. On another note, I also fly a trike with a Magmax wing............do you know how it compares to the itv bulldog? Why 41 size magmax, would not the 38 size be adequate for quite a small trike? Having flown with wheels I'd never go back to a back pack (although possibly that is age related)

Hi, I think they are based in Tenbury Wells which is only 10 miles or so from where I live. I've seen him flying around for some time and have spoken to him on the phone, but never had any dealings with him. From what I hear he seems to be a regular guy nothing shady at all, but as I said I've never handed any cash to him. On another note, I also fly a trike with a Magmax wing............do you know how it compares to the itv bulldog? Why 41 size magmax, would not the 38 size be adequate for quite a small trike? Having flown with wheels I'd never go back to a back pack (although possibly that is age related)

I avoided all 2 of these issues by using the trike and engine of an old powered parachute. Very rugged, durable and has the engine forward of the rear axle to avoid the dreaded turtle...........I admit however that it is overweight. The CAA have increased the defined weight of a microlight in recent years as they accept that it can be hazardous to build down to a lower weight limit, but we end up with only 70Kgs. I'm not sure that I fully understand their reasoning on this.

Good luck............I love it. I've just started RC model flying which I think is probably harder than this, mainly because of orientation.

Well done Pat. I echo Trev's sentiment.........good report. I fly a trike and always keep the gas on provided the wing is coming up straight, like you the lightest of touches on the brakes. If you keep rolling forward my wing has no tendency to overshoot.

Well done Pat. I echo Trev's sentiment.........good report. I fly a trike and always keep the gas on provided the wing is coming up straight, like you the lightest of touches on the brakes. If you keep rolling forward my wing has no tendency to overshoot.

That's right. As I wind the tape around the frame, I start at the top and work down so each of the overlaps on the tape is arranged in such a way so that the lines run over them as smoothly as possible. I extend the tape below the lowest point of the cable tie to effectively seal that little snagging point you have illustrated so well.

I have my cable ties at the mid point, then as the lines rise up they have little or nothing to resist them. I use quite chunky ties, cut off the the points facing skywards and simply taped on to the frame. I have seen others using thinner ties with both ends cut off, formed into a loop with the ends pinched together and these taped to the frame. That way there is a gentle loop of tie facing skywards but a little more stuff to flap in the breeze. Just make sure the everything is smooth flowing under the guide, so if a line jumps off it as you power up (it may well do so as the lines go tight) there is nothing for the lines to snag on (personal experience the first time I tried changing from my established method). My trike uses very high hang points so the lines are out of reach and I have never used A assists, the wing comes up smoothly enough every time ?. Good luck and enjoy........I would never fly if I had to use a back pack but now look forward to every launch (or is that take off now I have wheels?

Alternatively, simply make them legal.........problem solved.

Looking at this issue the other round, is the problem that people buy and fly trikes which are illegal in the UK or is the problem that the CAA (Campaign Against Aviation I have heard it called) have chosen to adopt a weight limit of 70 Kgs which may be considered by many to be unreasonable? I personally believe that a heavier trike is safer on the ground as it will be less liable to tip over, and maybe this is the view that has been adopted in Europe. It will still fly at 25 mph or so so is unlikely to be a great hazard to members of the public in the event of a forced landing. We owe it to everyone around us not to be a danger to them as much as we owe it to ourselves.

Thanks for your efforts. I have enjoyed your journey and have learned a bit too........particularly that I am not the only one who is unnerved by bumpy conditions ?. Stay safe.

So where should the line of thrust be best positioned in relation to hang points...........what is the perceived wisdom? Am I right in thinking that they should be as close together as possible?

I'm an idiot......that should have said that I like the trailer. Was that a Parajet job?

Looks great!! I like the trike too.......did you have it made to order or can parajet get that for you?

Weather will always be unpredictable. My local forecast for last night suggested a very light easterly but when I got to the field it was blustery from the west, so I didn't fly. It might be the other way around tonight so I'll give it a try then.

Go for it Dave For winter I use motorbiking heated jacket (and heated gloves if needed).

Thank you Mark, I may well do..........you were previously helpful and happy to talk when I was buying a new wing........got an Ozone Magmax for my trike. Would you mind if I rang you about that at sometime? Many thanks. Guy

I fly on my own and would certainly benefit from having others around to talk to about it. In particular the weather and whether or not the rough air I experience is perfectly acceptable or not. Unless it's silky smooth I tend to think it is rough and there is a danger of a wing collapse. Hence my previous question about thermals/rough air but no replies yet

As they say, a picture paints a thousand words.........very clear from that.

I fully agree. I'm very cautious about strong thermals, particularly in this glorious weather we are having. As a very rough rule of thumb is there a height at which they may well be expected to loose their strength. I rarely fly above 1500 ft but if generally it would be better at 2500 there are times I might be happy to sit up there (although I do feel that you loose the connection with the ground at that sort of height). Any ideas?