paulh

Nice, not going anywhere just up there for fun

Maybe if we had a direct equivalent of part 103 a revitalisation of popular fun flying might be possible.

Anybody know why the spitfire replica ended up on its belly, didn't look happy somewhat bent and a gear leg detached.

I think your on the right track Garry, for a simple low cost single seater, that as you say looks like an aeroplane. Riveted tube construction sounds relatively simple.

A cub type strutted high wing should be able to provide a measure of crash protection for the pilot. Can also be made to look quite good with the right paint scheme and some polished bits.

HITC is this aircraft along the lines you are thinking

The Fournier RF-4 apparently flew well with 40hp - motor glider with long wings

Kyle, all this doesn't sound as good as it could be, gotta look after your health man

The Moyes LiteFlite Dragonlfy - very simple, very slow, not sure how much

This guy must not care about over stressing the airframe but it looks like he's having fun

X-Air low level plyon racing youtube clip - Original Micro Air Racing

not sure RAAus is going to allow this - seems a little lower than 500ft

A while ago HITC had a lengthy thread with posts about his market research into basic low cost aircraft - some good thoughts there. If recreational aviation is going to grow or at least self sustain, rather than slowing dying out as the old blokes get too old (me included) then we need something that would appeal to the younger people cause we aren't going to compete with jet skis, dirt bikes, 4WD's or even paramotors etc with $60k plus aircraft, many of which don't look cool to the younger eye, or take years to build.

A three axis version of a trike perhaps. A simple aircraft that appeals to adventure, looks good, has a sense of fun, trailerable so it doesn't need to be hangered, isn't a full weekend commitment, and must have some sense of style and dash. (As the average rec pilot apparently does 50hrs per year which is really only 1hr per week flying around the patch, scoffing at the 50kt aeroplane is perhaps a little condescending)

Anything kit built would have to be easy, the quicksilver/skyranger concept of simple construction method that can be done in a garage with basic tools and without noxious fumes.

Aerolite 103 concept perhaps with a bit more pilot protection

I'll watch with interest Garry.

GoFly at Caboolture in low wings have Texan and Sling aircraft, the Sling is pretty new so I wouldn't think the landing count would be high yet, the green Texan has done done some work tho.

Hi, what's the glide like if there was an engine out?

Would it be possible to do a bit or feeling the air - by which I mean some basic thermalling in this type of aircraft (of course all legal with engine running)

I've only been for a short fly in an XAir and the owner pilot did make the landing approach a at fairly steep angle.

Dafydd, thankyou for starting and continuing with this thread, to you and all the other contributors, please keep going, it's all very interesting.

I have no relevant experience to offer, so have only been reading, but do take safety particularly for any potential passengers quite seriously.

Cool looks are nice but seem more connected with image/ego/eye candy factor than they should be

So safety is a factor in aircraft selection for me as a low how recreational pilot with no illusions about skill level and reliability of experimental engines

Safe predictable handling, glide range, crashworthiness etc all part of the properly designed package

Metal space frame type of structure appeals, not keen on composite construction in the garage at home

Gareth and Craig, a wise man once said - never, never, never, never give up.

The pain will pass, then get that kick butt aircraft back in the sky.

I know that envy is something to avoid, but, a Savannah, in a new shed/hanger, on a farm - you blokes are giving us a hard time trying not to turn green

Phil, I assume that the pilot was in the process of a touch and go, what would the speed likely to be at the time?

I didn't realise that trikes had go kart steering ie push left to go right, as well as the pitch being the opposite to 3 axis, it would be very easy for a 3 axis pilot to stuff up in a trike if suddenly under pressure especially when transitioning types. (Would have been a bit scary with the noisy fan thing pushing him into the dirt)

Keenaviator will be able to provide factual info but I understand that there is a considerable difference between flying a powered parachute eg Aerochute type to powered paragliders. Apart from the obvious weight difference, and one being parachute type and the other being more glider, extra skill level required to handle the higher performance glider with less pendulum weight to shift, deal with possible partial collapses etc.

I love the idea of paragliders but don't live near many suitable sites so understand the appeal of a motor to get you in the air.

Plus they pack up in the boot!

It was drilled into me during training NO thought of turn back at all unless already turned to crosswind and 700ft agl - we did practice turn backs with this criteria in training all ok but what did cause me consternation was how much runway got eaten up when downwind and how much faster the ground speed was, lots of side slipping required and heavy braking to stop before the imaginary fence line (for the purpose of practice only, was actually a safe length of runway available) - it was discussed of course beforehand but nothing like the actual experience to really make you aware.

Perhaps this aspect could be expounded on in training, for many ultralights the length of runway ahead even if very short may be better than the length of runway behind , especially if the wind is a bit strong.

A lightweight four stroke about the same power as the rotax would be nice, the aeropower engine doesn't seem to be ready yet

Ok in simpler words:-

Some knob installed a steel barrier beside of road cause someone thought it needed one - but it didn't

Or

Some other knob (possibly the same 'someone' as above) designed a safety barrier but has no idea what they are doing

Unfortunately almost impossible to design a road safety barrier system for all the different types and sizes of vehicles on the road, common test levels are for 800kg and 2000kg vehicles. In an ideal mythical world the hazards would be designed out and there would be no need for barriers, but then roads would be too boring for bike riders who would then go looking for a nice fun winding road, usually with road side trees, steep drop offs and narrow shoulders

Properly designed wire rope barriers should be slightly better than W beam guard rail as the posts are frangible aluminium if you manage somehow to slide under.

Not sure a human body has enough energy to deflect the wires much

There are a lot of non compliant barriers out there

Some thoughts, from what I've read (never seen one close up) they are an attractive efficient little aircraft, perhaps some options could be considered:-

Removable wings option for trailering would be an advantage

Longer wing option for motor glider (especially suited to the electric option)

Kit built option would open up more sales

Price will be a major factor, other threads have expounded at length on cost factors etc and from those discussions whilst aircraft are never going to be cheap, if an albeit nice, single seater costs more than the other boys toys it's unlikely to sell enough volume (what's a sports bike, jet ski, 4WD, ski boat cost?)

The sd1 mini plane is being sold in the US according to the Sky Craft web site for US $54,850 fly away, seems poor value for money when people seem to able build Savannahs for about that including an expensive 912uls

But an Australian designed little motor glider would be very nice

Seriously though, threads like this are one of the reasons why I read this forum - interesting topic, good technical information, people helping each other etc.

Regarding the superstol type of aircraft, in my very limited experience I would think that these aircraft are highly optimised for a small aspect of the flight envelope and flying on the back end of the power/drag curve at low level seems like not a good place for the average weekend warrior. No doubt lots of fun but the risk seems high flying close to the edge without lots of training, practice and currency

Theres a D10 on my current work site but try as much as they can it just won't lift off with or without flap (maybe the problem is the scraper in front that it's pushing?)

Sorry been a long day