Bluey

According to Joe Chitty who does the conversion from rocket propelled to spring loaded, the spring loaded chutes take about an extra second to open. So the minimum height shouldn't be that much higher (in a Microlight at least). Bluey.

Thanks Geoff.. Bluey.

According to the GRS manual, they replace the rocket every 6 years and repack the chute. If I could get the name and number of the person in Melbourne that would be great. Thanks Geoff. Bluey.

Does anyone have any examples of mishaps involving either the BRS or GRS? Bluey

I just spoke to an instructor who only recently tried to get one into the country and failed. Apparently getting the GRS out is easy enough but getting it back in seems impossible. It looks as though it will need to be disposed of. Even that could be an expensive problem. Bluey.

I know the repack life is 6 years but given that a repack seems pointless and a replacement is the best option, any idea how long after repack is due the chute should remain viable for? To put it more simply, how urgently does it need to be replaced given that it has always been kept in a hangar out of the weather when the aircraft was not been flown? Bluey.

Wow! Thanks Glen, 12 months to get to them. Not sure it's worth bothering with if we can expect a turn around time of two years. We may as well just get a BRS replacement. I had no idea they weren't made in the USA. Just my ignorance... Bluey.

Anyone know of a good shipping company? Bluey

I've managed to find a online manual and it clearly states that the complete unit needs to be returned as they replace the rocket motor as well as air out the chute every 6 years. Bluey.

Anyone know the specific procedure for removing the rocket from a GRS parachute. I can't seem to be able to find any reference to this anywhere online. Bluey

So, you can remove the rocket from the rest of package. Sounds Dangerous? I'm not sure if you can do this with the GRS system. I haven't seen anything about this on their website. Bluey

Hi all, I've got a GRS chute that has just reached 6 years of age and according to the manufacturer it is now due for a repack. Has anyone had any experience with this? The only place to get it done is in the US where it was manufactured. Is it worth it as the transport cost will be high due to the attached rocket that needs to be sent back with it. I'm not even sure it can be sent back due to the live rocket? Bluey

Which particular additives do you mean alf? Most people I know have been using the higher octane stuff for quite a number of years without any complaints. So what fuel do you use now as here in the big smoke the only other options are diesel or that E10 stuff? Bluey.

With the trike, airspeed usually builds very quickly because of the high power to weight ratios we have at our disposal. Anyhow, I'm not sure how people are getting airborne at the stall speed as I generally can't get either the streak or the SST off the ground slower than about 45kts. The stall speed of both wings is 35kts at MTOW and around 32kts solo with a full tank. With the streak, holding the bar out will get it airborne above 40kts. I have even tried pushing the bar out to nudge it at about 35kts and it won't fly until it gets above 40 at least. Bluey.

Price drop to $36000 ONO. Any takers? Trike is now at 615hrs. Still looking for a good home. Bluey.

I agree, I wouldn't be buying a new one with the state of the second hand market. Bluey.

What equipment level does a new st3 airborne have to have to cost 88k? Bluey

The plastic fuel tank in your airborne trike will most likely not be ethanol friendly. I have heard that it is A good quality fuel tank but I'll have to check with airborne on what they say. Either way, I wouldn't use any ethanol mix in the trike. Bluey.

I just spoke to Bert floods about this and they say that the 912ul is fine to run on E10. The issue would be more the fuel tanks individual aircraft have installed. Bluey.

What's wrong with that?

The schools I've seen encourage students to fly their own trikes because it gives them practice in setting up and packing away their own machines. Bluey.

I do believe though that they are definitely over charging you if they charge the same amount for training in your trike as they do for theirs. I always tell people that they should do all the training in the instructors machine until just before solo. A fair price would be normal cost minus fuel and estimted depreciation and wear and tear. Bluey.

Most instructors I know work only part time and generally do less than 100 hrs a year (microlights). At this rate they earn around $20000/year and that's before costs such as: fuel, hangar fees, landing fees, membership fees and aircraft depreciation is taken into account. On top of this there is tax. A Microlight instructor would have to work in excess of 300 hrs/year to make a somewhat comfortable living. Even at that rate it is no more than the average wage. No wonder most have a full time job not flying related. Bluey.

As for how much instructors are charging, I know of a few that charge the same regardless of whether you are in your own trike or theirs and that's nearly $200/hr. so I guess it depends on the operator and their associated operating charges. Bluey.

Yes, your right, that's not a big deal. The problem is when the unsuspecting buyer is led to believe that they are getting something that they're not only to find out that there are thousands of dollars in repairs to be made to reach an airworthy state. An experienced pilot can tell the difference and often knows what to look for but the novice can be totally in the dark and easily fooled by the dubious seller. We had a trike blown over by a rescue chopper here in the last week and while the wing received some damage the base appears ok. I still feel that the base needs to go back to airborne for a thorough inspection too. That's what I'd do anyway. Apparently the trike flipped 180 degrees and came down on its wing. Bluey.