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582/503 Sir, I live on the East Coast of KZN, South Africa, very hot; humid and not unlike your Queensland climate. I have flown just about all trike engines made. I owned a 582, first engine crank "seized" at 190 hrs, shot, kaputt...bearings finished. Used the best oils, flown Mozambique, Swaziland, Kalahari, Botswana, Namibia in high temp/ humid conditions. The engine never ever went over 80 degrees C but I think the humidity got it..Then changed the crank, same story at 350hrs, enough was enough. I bought a HKS and apart from the slight power sacrifice, no worries at 300 hrs. I am not rich but a 912 would be very desirable. I used to work in the KZN midlands and taught (also jollied) in a 503 with about 1200hrs (same crank), have flown them in the UK and also all over. Great motors, super tough and unfortunately discontinued. So depends where you live and the climate, for me the 582 cost me plenty of money, lost flying time and useless effort. I speak as I find sir !! Cheers Paul

Fuel HKS700e Its the same consumption as a 912, so how can you work that theory out, a two stroke pours a fair quantity of medicine down the exhaust !! I have flown most trikes and their different motors (except the Verner) and found the HKS to be "adequate" with a much less weight (and price) than a 912. However saying that I still enjoy the 503 in light machines it revs freely and is simple. Go fly one and then make the judgement.. Ciao Paul

HKS fuel consumption Hiya My motor is fitted to a Aquilla, with the 14 square metre wing, I live a sea level o the coast so no worries unless I fly inland (40 kms north of Durban). The motor is half way between a 503 and 582. It gives me solo however I thrash it about 6-8 litres an hour and dual about 9-10 litres per hour. Obviously cool days its more economical. It has oil cooled heads and only draw back is its rough idle, now with the efi project I hope to improve its performance to at leaast match the 582. Otherwise you will not be sorry. Its a 4 stroke !! Such a nice feeling flying over the ocean and looking at oil temp/pressure gauges.. Cheers Paul

HKS Hiya I have flown with my HKS 700e for 300 hrs, perfect, now its out of commission and in my garage for a fuel injection modification. Need that extra oomph for hot days. Better than 503 and not quite a 582.. Our RSA team came second in the worlds with one. Go for it.. Cheers Paul

Yaesu VX7r You may be interested but I have been playing with the Yaesu VX7r, it can be modified to transmit from 40mhz up too 222mhz and from 300mhz up to 480mhz including air band. This means you can use it in a aerie to cover the Australian/NZ Cb frequencies UHF as well as the 2 metre bandVHF and also Aviation in AM. After modification it becomes a Vertex Standard !! Now I am working on opening up the VXA710 to transmit on the BMR bands...710 is brilliant radio, awesome performance but just one point no side tone adjustment so doesnt always work with some intercoms..Probably illegal though.. Paul

Shipping Ask Denise for a few prices, she probably advised a FOB price (free on board) which means that you arrange your own shipping, import permits, clearing etc. to where your point of arrival is from collection point Pinetown, Durban, RSA. I ship regularly to the UK and we pay here in SA (CandF) to a final destination. Either way you will require a clearing agent that side. Its really easy to do, just find the most economical point of arrival. Maybe the forum has a shipping agent ?? Henneways are very good and the prices are pretty much the same with shipping, the clearing costs can vary drastically..You can most probably structure it that you pay one agent everything GST, port charges, land charges, BOL fees etc. No rocket science..I would certainly get a few quotes (ask in Excel format so you can review exchange rate costs). Good Luck Paul

DVDs Yes you can buy them from Aviation Engines and Accessories in Johannesburg. Contact either Niren or Vinesh ; see web site http://www.aviation-engines.co.za/aviation-engines/htdocs/ Flying the Fish is also a good DVD. If you dont come right send me a PM and I will arrange for you.. Ciao Paul

Replacement for ICA4 Sorry about the mis info, also the ICA 4 is being replaced (real shame) in January (at least in RSA) with the ICA14, waterproof and playing catch up to the wonderful Vertex Standard VXA220. I get the ICA 210 this week and will post a full review as I will also post it in RSA. Paul

Released in SA The ICA 210 has just been released in SA and has already been sold in Central Africa as a rero fit in some Military Installations. They are retailing at about R7,200.00 Paul

Whoops South African words We call pick up trucks "Bakkies" sorry !! Paul

Aquilla Sizing Mundoo triker, you wont be sorry, the Aquilla has possibly the most comfortable seating arrangement that I have ever been in. The XT, Quiks and so on rear seats are compact. The Aquilla was designed for our large countrymen !! The Aerotrike Cobra 912 (Mike Blythe Coast to Coast) is a suitable comparison to the Airborne XT912, the Aquilla is slightly more of a bush type of trike, closer to a DTA than a XT as the under carriage is not unlike a Toyota Bakkie !! I have done over 300 hrs with zero hassles on the HKS and the SA team has three machines, these have been seriously "tweaked" with mega time thrown at them for fuel economy etc. not missed a beat. There are many flying in the USA also with no reported problems. Its a simple engine. Just decide the colour ! See pic of my HKS Aquilla.

HKS efi We are currently installing a basic efi unit on my HKS 700e, the cast manifolds and tuned exhaust are all complete and will be doing a similar mod to the 912 when completed. This is for a trike crop sprayer. Will keep forum posted. Paul

Trike costs Chaps, I don't think that our testing is any less than the rest of the world, as we have some pretty evil regs regarding engine types/tbos at the moment..you may read part 24 (another thread another day). However our manufacturing costs are considerably less than Europe. As an example we build MRFs (Material Recovery Facilities), conveyor's, electronics, motors gearboxes etc. for the UK here in Durban and land them in the UK in many containers to the same brand motors etc. and spec as the UK / Europe with duties, shipping etc. and it still works out at half price !! Our manufacturing industries, although we think are loaded with bureaucracy and most definitely not sweat shops are not loaded up with costs. Maybe thats the reason ?? (without export concessions I may add as thats bureaucracy!) I may also add that BMW, Mbenz and the like have large test and manufacturing facilities here for similar reasons. Plus our exchange rate has just gone down the tubes !! Our fuel is much cheaper though.. Safe flying Paul

Hiya South Africa is not unlike Australia in terms of climate and conditions, we have the wealthy Johannesburg/ Pretoria (Gauteng) regions with trikers that demand the Quiks, Airbornes , Air Creations and so on. Jhb is 6,000 ft before you take off so in summer you need some serious power just to get airborne. Hence we have a influx of 100hp Rotaxes and 582s. The two strokes are OK as they dont lose as much power as four stroke motors. These pilots travel great distances as its flat and pleasant to fly in the early mornings with many good airstrips around. Outside of Gauteng its either the coastal regions or bush and farm trikers. These planes are used for rugged terrain and game spotting and so on. As a result they dont travel as fast as the European imports and have a very tough undercart that takes a serious punishing in our conditions. I may add that the Aviate Raptor is made for Military surveillance work fitted with hf radios and a 914s painted olive drab and a huge wing that allows it to almost hover. It has massive Cessna 6 inch wheels on it !! and is a single seater. I have the Solo wings Aquilla 2 wing and a standard airframe which I modified myself to take the HKS (now a factory option). The HKS was initially a poor motor but after some factory developments has come right. There were three in the SA team at the worlds last week and a Raptor/HKS came second with Marc Gregson in the dual weight shift class. I have nothing but praise for mine, we did a series of thrust tests at Solo wings when assembled, it is exactly half way between the 503 and 582. We have a SA made prop which we have proven to be more effective than the Warp drive by about 10 % and this is what Marc used. It was designed by one of our trike pilots that works with our aerospace industry. It doesnt work well with the 912 series as it was aimed at the 582 / HKS motors. After 300 hrs I am now fuel injecting my motor for various reasons, I live on the coast and regularly fly inland so I need some extra power without the weight of a 912. They are really heavy on the beach and in soft sand. All SA trikes have the wide tyre options. Aerotrikes have very nice wings and were originally made in the Ukraine, they export many to the USA. With the exception of the DTA, I would imagine that the Raptor is possibly the toughest trike on the market available.. The Aquilla is tough and the Aerotrike Cobra is very nice. There are a few in Australia around Perth I believe ?? Take a look at our local forum for a detailed daily look at our microlight forum, not all in English but you will get the drift !! www.microlighters.co.za it can be very informative. Maybe register and you will get immediate replies, there are many Australians on the forum. The forum like this one is very helpful. Cheers Paul

Mundoo Triker Hiya, I am going in to Pinetown later today and will go to the factory and get some prices for you. In South Africa the Windlass and Aquilla by Solo Wings are the most popular, very much as Airborne is in Australia. Depending on the area you live in. The Aerotrikes which were designed by Mike Blyth have just started back in production after a few years, the manufacturers were making a three axis called a Cheetah (Rainbow Aircraft). Another trike called the Raptor (really tough) is also made here and we are now getting derivatives of the Quik (made in jhb. by Jenya) with topless wings. As well as derivatives of the basic Windlass. I fly a Aquilla for the main reason that its tough, designed for the Bush and has the most comfortable seats on any trike I have flown. They do come with pods but not popular. Over 1,100 trikes made now, Aiden the designer (French Mauritian) has been a hang glider pilot for many years. They come with the 503, 582, 912 series and the HKS. Thye have also been made with some Simonini engines. I think the price in SA is about R165K for a 582 with the Aquilla 2 wing , but will confirm. There are a few in Australia/NZ and also Thailand. Ciao Paul

Trikes abd Video Ian, the Coast to Coast video was of Mike Blyth (South African) and Olivier Aubert (Swiss), they also flew from Argentina back to SA together, that was via the States, and across the North atlantic and via Europe, Mike flew a Aerotrike Cobra 912 and Olivier a DTA 912s. They have done many expeditions together. Cape to Cape I think also. Mike is the Chairman of Misasa (similar to your RAAus) and has just competed in the Czech republic (also with a DTA) in the world championships for South Africa. I will ask Mike to post when he gets back. They use some serious kit on those trips compared to normal trikes. Cheers Paul

Trike Flying Bushpilot, you have basically "stated a hole in one mate" thats exactly why we fly them and as I am learning more about trikes (close to a 1,000hrs trikes) then the more I am enjoying the minamilistic. There are the cross country jobs and the guys who wish to spend alone soaring..When I have bought my Ducati Monster, I am really honestly considering a Doodle Bug, a jet powered hang glider..got to be fun. Then I will buy a DTA.. As for Ians conversion to real flying, I did my insructors rating a while back and hated three axis pilots with high hours. Natural is to push the stick the wrong way. The best students I have seen are windsurfers as its very similar in handling. Safe soaring Paul

Buy a trike.. Ian, back to the original thread, I have been flying (tin aeries) for almost 20 years and trikes now for about 10 years. I still fly fixed wings but not as much anymore. This is merely a personal flying enjoyment "thing" and most definitely not a knock on those machines. I very often fuel up my trike and solo head for the hills, ipod on and as I have nearly seven hours endurance..you just cant beat it.. As for choice of trike, well I have a Solo wings Aquilla (same as freedom flight with HKS 700e) its fine,cruises well, but I still enjoy a mates 503 windlass with no instruments, no panniers, small fuel tank and (well) run in wing, pull start, extra light, low tech and basically a powered hang glider. I just fly it with a ipod, ear defenders and thermal it for hours. Its also in the Gliding centre of SA (Ladysmith). They are the best in the west..not unlike the UK chaser. As Perry stated this is the best thread for ages. As for your choice as you have a small fix wing and will be flying in the patch, why not look at a single seater ?? Truly selfish.. The DTA is awesome, one day when I am big ?? Paul

HKS in world championships Take a look at this thread, the Czechs are also using the HKS as well as 508s, the Brits seem to be doing well with the 508 also, bit low on power compared to the hKS though. http://www.wmc2007.info/ The Poles are not doing as well, wheres the Australian team ?? Paul

HKS Injection Good Day Chaps The first stage is almost complete on dummy engine, we are installing a fuel injection system first, with a fully mapped ignition system. Primaily to get 582 performance. This will need about another 5-8hp. Mainly though for our country;more power at altitude. Johannesburg is 6,000ft before you take off. The main wild card for us is we have CAA intervention and all "NTCA" aircraft have to fully follow the engine manufacturers procedures (in brief). That means a 582 effectively has to have a crank change at 300hrs. Now how that slipped through we dont know.. So our motivations are slightly different here and really wish to find a highveld equivalent motor. As you can imagine in Summer we get the three Hs (Hot,high and humid). Engine tempeatures are not a major problem on my installation. (Yet). Will keep the forum updated. There are three HKS powered aircraft in the SA Microlight team competing in the Czech republic this month. I know the one engine on a solo "trike" is getting a fuel burn of 4 litres per hour. They have spent hours developing a prop to optimise its torque cappabilities. The others are getting dual figures of about 6 litres per hour. The motor is gaining respect here now.... Paul

Supercharging the HKS I have contracted a SA based tuning company to Supercharge my HKS to about 90 hp. Will keep the forum posted. Paul

Mind the Bridge I rather liked this picture, very poor quality but an interesting shot.. Paul

HKS 700e I thought that you would have them over there ?? HKS is a very large supplier of aftermarket turbo/engine tuning kit for Jap cars in the USA and Europe. They have ventured into the Aero engine market with the HKS 700e a two cylinder 60hp 4 stroke motor, it delivers mid way between a 503 and a 582 BUT with awesome fuel figures. Mine has been exceptional; the best bit its the same price as a 582 with the 4 stroke benefits. The Italians have turbocharged a unit but we cant find much info on that project. So we may just do it ourselves as the nett performance is the same as 912 but lighter of course cheaper and obviously for SA altitude compensating which is amajor problem in Jhb. Type in HKS 700e in your browser and have a look. Cheers Paul

Synthetics Thats quite interesting and is exactly our observations. Although I am not qualified to comment in a technical aspect the cranks were pitted and the bearings in both my incidents had in fact exploded. The engine was using a Fuchs semi-synthetic oil, with a mix of Mozambiquan (87 or whatever rubbish) and 100LL avgas to get the octane up to something respectable. The ambient was 40 plus and humidity between 80-90% most of the time. I was using the 582 auto lube and still added some oil to the fuel. Strange phenomena was that the engine kept running hotter and hotter, egts remained perfect. Fuel consumption went up to 22 ltrs per hour and that was it at 190 hrs!! The SA forum has a lot to say all the time regarding oils, chainsaw and otherwise and this depends pretty much where you live. In Jhb. it is not as humid as the coastal regions, they get away with it. At a starting point of 6,000ft they need all the power they can find and tend to use synthetics (which apparently improves power). I would from expensive experience not risk it. Whilst on the subject, the SA forum has found a fuel filter that is too fine, this is a small glass type. Very smart looking toy..It has been responsible for several (expensive) engine outs. Rather stick to the standard M Benz diesel filter which give good service in harsh conditions much the same as experienced in the bush of your part of the world. After changing to 4 stroke power, i run the motor as hot as possible within limits, the HKS states max 120 degrees and uses Synthetics, this evaporates off moisture (at least I hope so). No worries in 260 hrs which for me so far is a record !! Safe Flying Paul

You get a error message That makes sense and if I am not mistaken it states "CL NG" or similar. The ICA 6 has a nice feature advising it is "over V' when you start up, with the Clone software in "expert mode" it may be reset. Not sure about the ICA5 though..will look up the software. We have fixed many with that problem. Advise customers to use a filter regulator to maximum of 13,8 volts...Icom must be able to fix it. Ciao Paul