Does anyone fly light aircraft type ultralights any more?

[JG3]

I reckon the average age at that airfield was 162! Is this a trend in RAA?

 

 

 

I guess the kids have left the nest, the mortgage is paid off and you have a little more money to flash around.

 

That's exactly correct. And it sure is good to have such a fun hobby that soon becomes a passion, to take up the attention after all that other stuff is behind...... It's a heck of a lot better than playing golf on Tuesdays and bowls on Thursdays, and generally just sitting around waiting to die.....

 

 

[Thalass]

I think after I get my ultralight ticket, I'll get about in a rag and tube for that very reason. It's better to be flying than dreaming about it. I guess it's like driving a car - your first is the one you make all your mistakes in so buying something fancy and expensive is just silly!

 

Having said that, I think my ideal plane (the one that exists, not the love-child of a tiger moth and a catalina that I imagine) would be the upcoming AAK Bushman. Rough and read, but a bit more substantial than a Drifter or something. And probably better in the cold Canadian air that I'll be buzzing around in in a few years.

 

*edit* Baphomet already suggested this!

 

Actually, this might be an unpopular suggestion. But the solution might be to have all new RAA pilot licenses for low-performance aircraft, and requre a minimum number of hours flying before you can get the high performance rating. Much like motorcycles with the 250cc restriction.

 

This would mean all new pilots would learn to fly real ultralights, with their advantages (any open space is a field, not just a black stripe!) as well as limitations, so they would (I think) be better pilots. Additionally the number of LP enthusiasts would increase, I think, which would increase the influence of more "traditional" members.

 

But that would be very unpopular with instructors who have invested in a few plastic aeroplanes!

 

 

[Al B]

Actually, this might be an unpopular suggestion. But the solution might be to have all new RAA pilot licenses for low-performance aircraft, and requre a minimum number of hours flying before you can get the high performance rating. Much like motorcycles with the 250cc restriction.

Oh, please no. I fly RAA to try and get AWAY from arbitrary and unneeded rules.

 

The RAA operates on behalf of CASA, and CASA is only supposed to make rules on Safety grounds. Unless you have research to show that learning on drifters etc results in a marked safety increase, how can you justify the rule? Remember GA pilots learn in Cessnas etc and are (statistically speaking) safer on an hourly basis.

 

 

[FlyingVizsla]

The boss has his Karasport (single seater 95-10) which he wants me to fly because it is such fun. I was sorting out his filing and discovered he also owned a Wheeler Scout in the 1980's. He deregistered it and stored it in a shed so I have asked if it is restorable - we will look next time we go there. We need to make the effort to get our 95-10's to fly-ins to show we are still there. It might be because new pilots just don't see anything but the Jab they learned in and simply don't know about the cheaper options.

 

Sue

 

 

[Methusala]

I flew my Thruster to Temora. We flew 108 nm in around 2.5hrs to get there. On the way we got a very good look at the country which was green and beautiful.There was only one other Thruster and a few Drifters there. The array of plastic aircraft did not turn my head at all really. After all, if I really want to go somewhere the red kangaroo will get me there quickly and cheaply (efficiently).

 

No, I really like the pure delight of flying amongst the birds and thermals. As a matter of fact, my mate and I are half way through construction of a basic ultralight glider (empty weight: 55kg). I call that "progress". Don

 

 

[Bubbleboy]

Love ya work Don! :thumb_up:

 

Scotty

 

 

[Phildo]

Thalass,

 

Actually, this might be an unpopular suggestion. But the solution might be to have all new RAA pilot licenses for low-performance aircraft, and requre a minimum number of hours flying before you can get the high performance rating. Much like motorcycles with the 250cc restriction.

Yes, unpopular as the age/maturity of new pilots seek out the more comfortable and sleek machines (mostly for their partners sake!!)

 

Further to this, training machines need to be commerically built as per CAO's unless the AC was built by the owner (and try and find an instructor who will jump in!!)

 

Still, there will always be 'the few' who enjoy the lighter side of the RAA spectrum... I know I enjoy seeing both although I do favour the 95.10 beasties ....

 

Phil.

 

 

[bilby54]

Ah, the Drifter!

 

Sold mine last year because I thought 'I was over it'

 

Stupid, stupid, stupid

 

 

[wags]

Flight Design re-designing "Flightstar"

 

I understand the "Flightstar" mentioned way back in this thread somewhere is being revamped and will be available through the Flight Design Australian Agent - Sports Aircraft Australia inside 12 months. I hear the price will most likely be under $30,000, but it needs confirming 'cause it's from memory.

 

Also understand the revamp has improved all parameters of the performance envelope considerably, they might even have an electric version available. Imagine going down to Woolies in that!

 

Keep an eye out for it. If Flight Design are doing it it means they see a growing market for that type of aircraft!

 

 

[facthunter]

Changes.

 

A difficulty with training for basic types emerged about 4 years ago when no one would insure the thruster/drifter type of aircraft. It then became near impossible to find a school with them. Rotax are discontinuing the smaller two-strokes (only the 582 will remain and for how long? ) Perhaps electric power will breathe new life into the basic types, or the specialised wankel rotories will be used.. The general public would think these aircraft fragile but they are quite strong structurally, for air loads.

 

. The "plastics" look like "real" planes, so that the comfort and speed guarantee that there will be a lot of them around. This is a sort of "evolutionary" process. The clock cannot be turned back and maybe there is more to come. The past should be recognised and still accommodated within the show forever. If they (that group) felt that they were not catered for, then going it alone might seem an option, but would make it likely that they might get a hard time if some zealots opportunisticly picked on some isolated incident to move to ground them.

 

I went through a time when the Tiger moth was removed from classification as a training aircraft, which at the time I thought was strange. I would still trust the skills of a person trained on a tiger ahead of someone trained sololy on a C-172 or such. Nev..

 

 

[Guest Howard Hughes]

This is a sort of "evolutionary" process. The clock cannot be turned back and maybe there is more to come.

I'm just waiting for the affordable jet!:thumb_up:

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

HH,

 

find yourself a cheap lazair and fit a couple 0f 55lb thrust RC jets to it, you'd pull it off for around 15 grand.

 

 

[wags]

Flightstar info.

 

I went through a time when the Tiger moth was removed from classification as a training aircraft, which at the time I thought was strange. I would still trust the skills of a person trained on a tiger ahead of someone trained sololy on a C-172 or such. Nev..

Thoroughly agree Nev. Both the Tiger and the Chipmunk sorted the boys out and you can give me a tail-dragger anyday. Always enjoyed the Maules I've owned. Unfortunately the buying public dictate what is offered these days so we seem to only get tricycle types, but there are some really good tail-draggers if you look hard enough. Maybe this coming year I'll invest in a tail-dragger as my last aircraft before I hang-up the wings - think I'll have to anyway 'cause that's what the little lady wants.

 

For those that are following this thread, here is a link to the latest Flightstar info... Flightstar Sportplanes

 

 

[monty]

I can't speak for any one else But I have owened and been flying a drifter for the last 15 months and i don't want to change the wind in MY face. I only have 100hrs up but have tried the closed in cabs of a skyfox and Jab. I had a late 80 year old ex Tiger moth pilot ask me to take him up this morning so I did. He recons he is still walking a foot above the ground and can't seem to get the smile of his face. Isn't that what ultralights are all about. I won,t change my Drifter for anything!

 

Thats just my opinion

 

monty

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Here is a link to last weeks interview with Tom Peghiny of Fight Star he talks about the E Spyder's Chinese suppliers of the technology used for his electric power system.

 

http://www.psfradio.com/impodcast/2010/03/30/psf100330e.mp3

 

Tiger Moths are fun!!

 

 

[Tomo]

He recons he is still walking a foot above the ground and can't seem to get the smile of his face.

Drifters do have that effect...!:thumb_up::big_grin:

 

 

[motzartmerv]

If anyone is interested in a bit of nostalgia, I got given a few boxes of early 80's ultralight magazines. Glider Rider and such. Some absolutley classic stuff from our early days.

 

Its funny reading the articles on new design's and seeing things like the cricket being introduced.

 

All the pictures and story's are accompanied by bad 80's fashion. Classic stuff

 

Anyway, if anyone wants a few copies, let me know.

 

 

[Guest Howard Hughes]

HH,find yourself a cheap lazair and fit a couple 0f 55lb thrust RC jets to it, you'd pull it off for around 15 grand.

Yeh but would I ever get airborne?

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

my Lazair is currently flying on 35lbs of thrust from each engine (100cc) gives me around 150ft minute. later models using 185cc rotaxes about 300ft minute

 

for average pilot weights.. electric would be even more.

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Hey Merv don't let those copies of Glider Rider escape they are collecters items now.

 

I'd be interested in them if you need the space or such.

 

ozzie

 

 

[Thalass]

Thanks for the link to the Flightstar site. I almost thought nobody built that sort of aircraft anymore! Though I prefer pushers to forehead-engines myself. heh. Having read this thread and looking at photos I might prefer drifter-style flying. At least until I move to Canada. Brrr.

 

Of course I need to get a pilot's ticket first haha.

 

I'm interested to see the numbers so far for this electric version of the flightstar! I could go around 60km on a motorcycle with a similar sized battery pack. I wonder what kind of range/endurance they expect from this aircraft.

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Thunderbird Aviation - Home of the Hiperlight!

 

this is a nice machine been around for a long time. pretty good prce too

 

 

[Guest Escadrille]

Merv,I would love to have a couple of copies of those glider rider mags if you can spare em. I used to buy the magazine when I was a mad keen hang glider pilot in the 70s and 80s..

 

ahh halcyon days :man flying:

 

if thats ok could you pm me please?

 

 

[Methusala]

G'day, one plan in relation to the basic ultralight glider (google this on videos to see the clips) is to use a couple of big electric outrunners mounted close in on the leading edges a la Lazair and to launch with a bungey! These motors swing 50cm props and give about 15kg thrust for around 12 mins each. Should cost about $1000 incl. speed controllers. Attention aeromodellers. Good thread! Don.

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

i like this one

 

www.thundergull.com

 

Manufacturers of 3-axis ultralight/LSA aircraft - Top 1000 ultralight aviation sites

 

this is a link to the top 1000 ultralight manufacturers.