Marvinrobot Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 I have started to building my own trike as I want to progress from my paramotor training and I have a good airstrip just round the corner from where I live. During my research I found a company in America which coverts the Flexifoil kite buggy with a top frame to a strong and sturdy Paramotor trike. As it was going to cost over £1200 to import a few bits of bent tube, I opted to build my own. Underlying design intent: (Colin Baker has been giving me some good ideas.) cheers Col. 1.Retain the original paramotor frame. 2.Have a braking device. 2.Still fit in a standard car. 3.To be fabricated from easily obtainable components and standard workshop tooling. The picture is an initial posed construction picture. As I develop the design I will post more pictures. The local microlight school has agreed to carryout the conversion training and I need to register my trike and wing with the CAA than I am legal. Fingers crossed. Any feedback or ideas would be appreciated. Total cost so far, less than £150. Giles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdEves Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Looks great! Get yourself a decent registration number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Nice one. We have a few like that around here now (built from the kite buggies) but non have the bars over the shoulders. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 10, 2013 Author Share Posted June 10, 2013 I am hoping to bring it to the Fly-in so people can get a closer look. I am working on a full instrument panel, with VSI/ALT/ASI/RPM and EGT with compass to aid navigation. Most of this can come later, I just need to get the 99.9% completed frame so I can register the trike and wing with the CAA. The CAA did make me chuckle when they asked me for the serial Number...hummm let me think of one. I have been going through the CAA registration database to see if my initials have been used yet. I will add some more pictures when I am back at my workshop at the weekend. It sucks living away during the week, less build time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 Less build time = more think time = less mistakes. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 11, 2013 Author Share Posted June 11, 2013 Less build time = more think time = less mistakes. SW Hi simon, I agree with you, however I spent 4 months away designing it. Slowly slowly catchy monkey. I intend to bring it to the fly in so your thoughts would be appreciated. I have gone for low hang point attachments so the lifting stress goes through the chassis and not stressing the up struts. The upper struts are purely there to support the engine thrust. I am not using the original harness and have gone back to the original kite buggy seat and a custom made back board. Has anyone had any experience of registering their custom made paratrike with the CAA? I just want to know of any pitfalls that might be coming my way. Giles "I am the result of my life's experiences" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 No pitfalls mate, Its a very simple process. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 Registered my Baldwin quad with no problems at all. It is the wing thats really registered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 12, 2013 Author Share Posted June 12, 2013 Hi Pete and Simon, Thanks for the gen. I have the forms on my desk top ready. I will be taking the completed trike to work and use the large freight scales to measure the completed weight. There has to be some advantages of working where I do. How long did it take to complete your registration process? Also where would you recommend sending the wing to get the registration lettering added? Regards Giles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 Hi Pete and Simon,Thanks for the gen. I have the forms on my desk top ready. I will be taking the completed trike to work and use the large freight scales to measure the completed weight. There has to be some advantages of working where I do. How long did it take to complete your registration process? Also where would you recommend sending the wing to get the registration lettering added? Regards Giles About a week to get the paperwork back from the CAA. (E-mail with registration number 3 days). The loft or Aerofix will do it. (check prices first including postage) Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 The build has progressed quite a lot since I last posted. I now have a working wheel brake, frames all welded and painted and the paramotor attachment allowing continued use as a foot launch. Pictures below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 The disk brake presented a few issued, mainly how to keep everything true, so the disk would not be out of line. The disk mount seen in black was cut from a bike hub, the large silver hub is actually 4 pieces of 3mm sheet. 2 were cut into hoops to fit over the wheel bearing housing and the last 2 layers were to give the correct distance for the brake caliper. To create a brake pedal I welded a pivot frame which works well. I just need to cut down the foot bars as they are too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 Brake bar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 The basic frame is very simple and not too heavy. I can lift the whole structure with the paramotor, off the ground, but not for long . You can see the original J bar nylon mounts (does anyone know where I can get some more nylon, no-one seems to sell blocks) The lower part of the paramotor is kept in place with U bolts. The over hoop is to give lateral strength and clears the head and helmet. It also gives something to grab onto to get in and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 An finally to give some perspective with someone sitting in the paratrike. Enjoy. Giles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Looking good. Sent from my iPhone using PMC Forum mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 Next on the list is the harness fitting, line catchers on the paramotor frame and testing the ground handling. The big test will be if this actually fits in my car!!! fingers crossed. Giles "Once an Engineer, always an engineer" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Put tow hitch on the front and tow it if it won't go in the car. Sent from my iPhone using PMC Forum mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 Put tow hitch on the front and tow it if it won't go in the car. Sent from my iPhone using PMC Forum mobile app , Pete, that's also on the list, getting a Towbar on the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 It has been a very productive day. Harness fitted, wing nuts drilled for wirelocking, A' line assists fitted. All it have left to do is just wirelock the exhaust springs. All I need to do now is get a final completed weight and then I can register it with the CAA. I am sure there is still a bit of fettling on the day of test flying. ;s. The other half has agreed to help put it in the tonight, what a good egg. Giles "Once an Engineer, always an engineer" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdEves Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Direct Plastics Online are good for nylon. Looking great! Sent from Dorset on my iPad probably whilst drinking wine, lying in the sofa using PMC Forum mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 Direct Plastics Online are good for nylon.Many thanks, spot of. I might see if they sell off cuts as I only need a small amount. The car fitting works well and fits easily in my Picasso. The paramotor and top frame had to cone off but it was designed this way. It should only take 10 minutes max to reassemble and wire lock the wing nuts back on. Off to the work scales tomorrow to get a flying weight for the CAA registration form. Giles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvinrobot Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 A' Line assists. Has anyone had experience with fitting or setting up A' line assists. The video clips show them working very well but there is no information on setting up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 I don't think they ask for it Sent from my iPhone using PMC Forum mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Sub115 Kg microlit category just tick the box you can download the form from the Caa website. If it helps pm me your e- mail address and I will send you a copy of mine I submitted. Sent from my iPhone using PMC Forum mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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