Archived Items

Last update of this page was on July 10, 2005

Rod is selling his Quasar Link to more details

Who wants to get out first?

Who did the preflight checks on this?

Photos Taken at the 2005 National Fly-in at Wangaratta Photos of the fly-in have been posted in the microlight club. For more photos see "microlight club" then go to "photos" (thanks Chris)

Interesting Job

Batoka sky in Livingstone, Zambia, is looking for a weightshift instructor with min 200 hrs.
The job entails flying tourists over the awesome Victoria falls. Average flying is 50-70hrs per month @ 40US$ per hour. Also included will be a retainer of US$500 and housing, US$125.


If you want more details contact Andre van der Merwe
pilots@batokasky.co.zm

Trike Accident Link - worth a read

Two men, one engine, and a flight plan from South Africa to Alaska

We're taking off from Southern Africa in a small aircraft that barely has room for the two of us and our gear, headed north to Europe and then west to Fairbanks, Alaska.

" I thought the pictures show why us trikers have a greater chance of survival owing to the fact that we do not use brakes unless completely necessary. These pilots should be introduced to triking? " On BA-146s, two engines have hydraulic pumps, and two have electrical generators. If you taxi the airplane on the two engines with generators, you only have a few brake applications before the accumulators run out of pressure. On the way to the gate, the voice recorder captures one guy saying if they go a little faster, they could get the nose off the ground. They were apparently unaware that the Auto Throttles were set in Take-Off mode. As they approached the gate, they found they had no brakes (a result of being in the Takeoff mode) and proceeded to slam through the jetway. Both the aircraft and jetway appeared to be totalled. Always remain seated, with your seatbelt fastened, until stopped at the gate. article submitted by Perry Tonking     The History of the Hornet RS/ZA The Hornet Company originated in England in the early 80's. They were built in Bradford by a chap called Richard Wolfenden. Originally they only made trikes, using a side by side seating configuration which was immensely strong, and fitted Raven wings from Medway microlights. At this point Kerry Packer arrived on the scene with one of his companies that produced microwave link TV surveillance kits. He was looking for a cheap, strong aerial platform to mount it to, and invested heavily in the Hornet. At the time the rather shaky Medway Microlights was asked to supply as many Raven wings as they could. With this new surge of money into the business Skylink moved into a new and much larger factory, and began building. However once production started, Medway having been made solvent again withdrew permission to use there wings on the hornet trike. Skylink then spent a year developing a larger stronger easier (not to mention cheaper) to repair wing than the Raven. Skylink employed the skills of Roy Venton-Walters who designed the Raven and Sprint wings in the early 80's. The new Hornet RS/ZA wing had adjustable roll and pitch control by tip washout control rods (in effect weight operated ailerons) like the Raven. It had a fully 100% double surface wing, with split trailing edge, large dorsal fin,and increased stiffness of the outer portion of the leading edge spar. All this made for a super stable,super strong, and easy to fly aircraft, even in adverse weather conditions. This new aircraft was considered the Rolls Royce of its days as it was the first microlight to be certified to 390kg. It was equipped with: 2 seat side by side seating. New Rotax 65hp. 532. 45 litre tank. 3 wheel suspension. Rear drum brakes. Full Kevlar pod. 3 piece alloy wheels. Full double surface wing. A complete suite of cockpit instruments. Opitional (U.L.V) controlled droplet application (C.D.A) booms. Opitional Disposable stores release mechanisms for rescue equipment. Opitional Auxiliary fuel tanks. Opitional Floats, and Skis. Opitional carby heat. With this new aircraft, and the pending military contract, Skylink employed around 10 people of which some were military. The aircraft was designed to carry communications equipment, wounded and ordnance. Marketing was high on Skylinks agenda, and so money was no object. The factory even had a fully fitted out Military version of the Hornet RS/ZA on display. The company folded during the late 80's as the military contract Packer hoped for didn't materialise ( the kit was probably to cheap at 30,000 pounds a throw ). The company closed and many Hornets were sold with complete spare wings as backup. Around a dozen Hornets made it to Australia and were sold from a hangar at Moorrabin Airport by John Goodrich, cost was around $30,000 Aust. So ending Skylink, and it's wonderful Hornet RS/ZA. article submitted by: Sam La Bruna

Landing at Tyabb

Misarto, a Japanese Student having her first flight in a Trike over Tyabb (Victoria) , 28 July

	South African Pilot Crashes in China - Very sad news, one of the pilots on the around the world trip has crashed (see the site message board for more details) Newspaper stories about the accident , - story 1 - story 2 - story 3 (not in order)
	Microlight over Everest OBJECTIVE: To tow a Hang-glider with a Microlight to 30,000ft over Everest in May 2004

John Reynoldson posted the following message on The Microlight Club site:

"Sad news: due to unavailability/expense of the insurance offered, the
HGFA was unable to obtain 3rd party insurance to cover passengers from
31st March. One quote was for $950k for the year, another for 550k.
(was 350k last year), both unaffordable. At present we now have basic
3rd party insurance only.

The quotes were available only 2 days before the current insurance
expired, leaving no real time for negotiation. Unfortunately, that's
the way the insurance companies play the game.

This obviously affects a large number of trike pilots who now become
fully liable for injury suffered by their passengers in an accident if
it can be shown that they were negligent. (and who will have to pay
legal costs to defend if the pax sues even if they were'nt negligent).
Unfortunately, it would appear that pax insurance isn't available at
a reasonable cost elsewhere. Please be careful out there!!!!!

Instructors will be hard hit. The HGFA will be helping as much as it
can to assist them to put legal structures/companies etc in place to
limit their own legal liability."

From reading the above a few questions come to mind.

• Will the HGFA be notifying us about this matter?
• Is it the advisable to carry passengers at this time?
• Does this apply to hangliders and trikes or trikes only?]
• Is the current situation likely to be resolved and if so in what time frame?
• If the HGFA is unable to insure passenger will we get a prorata refund on the passenger insurance levy?
  

There is no information on the HGFA site as of 03-Apr-2004

  Strikers of Australia - please show your location and contact details if you are willing to help trike flyers with local information

Trike Links Page - This page has some interesting links

Around the World Trikers are in Australia - Ricky de Agrela and Alan Honeyborne have taken off from Cape Town on an 18-month microlighting expedition around the world. This will be the longest circumnavigation of the earth in the smallest aircraft. Go to there site to see where they are.

Have a Look at This - What a landing (at will take awhile to load but it's worth the wait)

For anyone who enjoys plane watching - this site is really interesting. The best times to view it are probably in the mornings, as there is more action happening then. You can click on any of the planes to get info on them - type of aircraft, height, etc.

Airworthiness Directive - AirBorne - Part 3 and Final: Date 06th February 2004: We now have a 3 mm guage replacement nose channel available. Regular inspection of existing nose channels by complete removal or replacement with the new 3mm guage channel is essential. The new channel will allow for easier nose pip pin assembly or removal, simply because of the heavier guage.Once the new channel is installed then inspection as per the maintenance manual is still required.

Kwik-Fold Kit - The Antares U.S. Corporation has developed a new device that allows Antares trike owners to easily raise and lower their wings. This new device also offers the ability to fold the wing while it is still attached to the trike.

Aeroclub.com.au - This website is for aviation operators and enthusiasts. Here you can find everything in aviation - Events, Aero Clubs, Flying Schools, Airfields, Aircraft and more. You can discover flying destinations with that great Australian hospitality and use our trip planner to create your own trip itinerary and maps.

Triking Photos - Some great trike photos. Makes you want to go flying

Wind Streamline Charts and synoptic charts for your area can be found at the Australian Weather News site

Hit Record - This site has had 3006 hits since June 25 02 (as of 1/1/2004) - there has been over 2300 hits over the last year (Dec 23 03 - Jan 1 04) - interest is growing

Rob's first ever flight in a microlight (DEC 28) - he flew over his house and home town (Hastings Victoria) and loved it

Interesting Site For anyone who enjoys plane watching, this site is really interesting. The best times to view it are probably in the mornings, as there is more action happening then. You can click on any of the planes to get info on them - type of aircraft, height, etc.

The Southwest Microlight Club newsletter " Triker News" is now on internet. It is a great looking site and a great newsletter - go take a look.

see the for sale section for details

Airworthiness Directive - Airborne are currently investigating cracking in the area of the stainless steel nose channel on some Airborne wings. Until we have fully investigated this issue, we recommend that owners/pilots of all Airborne microlight/trike wings inspect the nose channel before flying. Go here for more details

World Microlight Championships - The 9th World Microlight championships and the 3rd FAI World PPG Championships at Long Marston Airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire is over.

The Ultraflight Radio

Crack Found in Airborne Exhaust Braket - an extract from the September copy of the Southern Microlight Club Newsletter

Edge wing Airframe for sale - The fabric has degraded and did not pass the fabric test, However all the other components are all in good condition, Asking $300, someone out there may have bent a wing and maybe looking for replacement components. Contact pryce1@idl.net.au. Newcastle. Mobile 0425311837 - SOLD - SOLD - SOLD -

Philip is looking for two helmets (with visor), one size large / extra large and one small that will accommodate a Raptor Design headset. Location Mellbourne, metro. Price negotiable

Trike for Sale - Airborne Edge X582 2000 model. Also - Trike wanted

New web site - Michael Rose and Barry Wood who have started a web site to let people know what's happening at Benalla (Victoria)

Site Hits - This site has had approximately 1700 hits in the last year

For Sale - Anyone interested in buying of selling trike stuff? If you want to add an item simply email the details. (Click the icon on the right). It is free to list something to sell.

Peters Holiday Photos - a selection of triking photos taken in WA and NT

Kiwi Kathy's Flying page - Kiwi Kathy has some good photos of flying in various places around Aust. Its worth a look.

Fatal Trike Crash - Sadly to report there was a fatal trike crash in NSW at Byron Bay in June. CFI Joe Scott and a tourist passenger both died in the accident.

Portable Hanger - This unit has been specifically designed for the traveling trike pilot that needs protection from the elements without the need to constantly break down
the wing.

AFly Drive Trip - Peter and Chris Lucas are taking their trike to WA and NT and update this link as often as they can get access to a computer. Follow along. Sign their guestbook.

Spark Plugs Are you using the right SparkPlugs?

Trike Video - The following movies are really worth watching if you have a fast internet connection - they do take quite a while to download, but are well worth watching - especially the longest one!

For Sale - I have added a "for sale" page for anyone interested in buying of selling trike stuff. If you want to add an item simply email the details. (Click the icon on the right). It is free to list something to sell.

Aero Twin - This NZ manufactured four stroke engine sure has some impressive features. tip - click on the engine for more details

Fatal Loop A video of a trike trying to do loop and crashing. This is scary stuff. --- I believe It was a Polish test pilot flying a Polish trike. Apparantly if he had worn a helmet he would have got away with a broken leg. The cause of death was a fractured skull where the wing tubing hit his head.

Miniture Gas Turbines - Perhaps we could all fit a Miniture Gas Turbine to our Trikes just in case the rotax gives out or you want to go into warp drive. See it in action.

Crazy Stuff - don't try this! ( a video of a Trike doing a loop)

Move the mouse over the square to the left

Phillip Island Airport- Doug Strandly is now training out of Phillip Island in Victoria. Anyone wishing to visit the airport is encouraged to do so but please ring the lovely Kim on 03 59 567316 to check local conditions first.

Technical Articles - by Mike Stratman (UK). The above takes you to a series of articles that appeared in a UK Flying Magazine. There are worth a read.

912 Powered Edge X	- Airborne have built a prototype 912
	Airbourne have said. "We are also flying our 912 prototype, very nice. It will have a 63 litre tank and shock absorber front/rear suspension. Gas lift strut to get the wing up as the mast folds independently of the engine. You can get the wing up with two fingers. The mast capture is milled on our CNC machine, and is the juntion for the engine mounts, shockers and the mast. The seat is going to be wider, giving more comfort to larger people.
[click above for photos]	Pics of the proto attached. Has much finish work to do yet."

How Many Hours Have you Logged? - If the answer is in the 28 thousands think about taking up another hobby! The following British CAA figures for fatalities per hour flown: (1990-1999)

Balloon	1:71,500
PPL	1:67,000 (what's a PPL anyway?)
Heli	1:53,000
Micro	1:29,000
Glider	1:4,400
Gyro	1:1,825

 

Don't try to teach a pig to sing, they can't carry a tune and it only makes them angry.

If you fly over the Adelaide River keep above 5' AGL, the jumping crocs see a trike as a big chicken and cause puntures.

 

June 25 2002- - 52 hits

July 4 2002- - 205 hits

Sept 5 2002 - 306 hits

Nov 11 2002 - 443 hits

Nov 25 2002 - 520 hits

Dec 23 2002 - 654 hits

Jan16 2003 - 819 hits

July 6 2003 - 1961 hits (approx 1700 pa)

Sept 4 2003 - 2370 hits

Dec 10 2003 - 2890 hits

Jan 1 2004 - 3006 hits (approx 2300 pa)

March 18.2004 - 3782 hits

2 June 2004- 4678 hits

Oct 2 ,2004 - 6117hits

 

wind streamlines - Melbourne