General Information

History

As soon as hang-gliders were developed in the early 70's, pilots were fitting them out with engines. Microlights have evolved through the need for a safe, strong and transportable aircraft with excellent performance.

They have become much faster and stronger than hang-gliders, and their certification states that they must pass a 6-G load test.

Their official name "FLEXWING WEIGHTSHIFT MICROLIGHT" is usually dropped and the generic name "TRIKE" or "POWERED HANG GLIDER" is used.

Controls

The original method of steering the trike through the air is the same as a hang-glider, which is shifting the pilots (and trike base) weight relative to the wing. This gives positive control in a very natural way with no pulleys, struts and cables.

Thus your hand movements relate directly to the wing movement. This makes for easy learning. The trike is steered on the ground by foot pedals, but once in the air the only controls required are two axis hand movements.

A trike is different from three axis aircraft where direction is controlled by a joystick. A major advantage is that only one component controls the trike, unlike the complex hidden wires and pulleys of conventional aircraft.

SAFETY

Trikes have a proven record over the years and have become the safest and most economic form of recreational aviation. They have an enviable safety record both in Australia and around the world.

All certified trikes must conform to structural and performance guidelines laid down by CASA, making this type as strong and in some cases stronger than conventional aircraft. There are more than 10,000 flying worldwide.

The question "What happens if the engine stops ?" is commonly asked. Since trikes evolved from gliders, they generally have excellent glide performance. For example if the engine was switched off at 5,000ft, the trike would take 15 minutes to land and glide up to 15km.

Also the design of a trike wing, featuring a swept delta wing with washout, ensures that stalls are smooth and predictable. Additionally, on many trikes the control bar limits the ability or potential to stall the aircraft.

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