- Questions you may have about getting started flying a weight shift trike:
- What is ultralight triking, what is trike?
- How is triking different from hang gliding?
- What can you do with a trike?
- Is triking safe?
- What happens if the engine quits?
- Is triking scary?
- Who can do triking?
- How much does a trike cost? How long does a trike last?
- What do you need to know when purchasing your first trike?
- How do you get started?
- Do you need a license to fly?
- What should you look for when signing up for a lesson?
1. What is triking, what is a trike?
Ultralight Triking
is one of the simplest forms of flight. A trike is a motorized hang glider. An ultralight
trike has a rigid frame maintaining the shape of the wing. The trike wing is constructed
of rip-stop nylon or mylar over an aluminum frame.
Ultralight trikes are controlled by shifting the pilot's
weight with respect to the glider. The pilot is seated in a trike configured frame with a
motor attached to the trike frame. The trike frame is connected to the glider's wing.
By moving forward and backward and side to side, the pilot alters the center of
gravity of the glider. This then causes the glider to pitch or roll in the direction of
the pilot's motion and thus allows both speed control and turning.
With an ultralight trike, you can fly like a bird, soaring
upwards effortlessly. Trikes routinely stay aloft for 3 hours, climb to elevations of
15,000', and go cross-country for vast distances.
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2.
How is triking different from hang gliding?
The trike is a powered hang glider designed for gliding with or without power. The pilot
sits upright in a seat in the trike frame that is attached to the wing. The hang glider is
designed for gliding without power. The pilot is usually flying in a prone position.
A hang glider is usually foot-launched by running off a
mountain or being towed up to altitude. A trike takes off under it's own power and climbs
to altitude.
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3. What can you do with a
trike?
Average recreational pilots, routinely stay aloft for 3 hours or more, soar to altitudes
of 15,000' and travel cross-country for great distances.
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4. Is ultralight triking
safe?
The trike has been tested for 6 G-forces positive and 3 G's negative, that's much higher
than most conventional airplanes.
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5. What happens if the engine quits?
The trike is a powered hang glider designed for gliding with or without power. You can
turn off the engine and still glide safely down to the ground.
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6. Is triking scary?
Ultralight triking is an exciting way to fulfill your dream of flight. Even if you have a fear of heights, it will rarely be a factor, since
there is no sensation of falling.
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7. Who can do triking?
Almost anyone can fly an ultralight trike. To be a successful ultralight trike student and
pilot, you need to be able to think clearly and to listen well.
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8. How much does a trike
cost?
How long does a trike last?
A new ultralight trike will cost somewhere between $8,000 and $30,000. After four years of
fairly active usage and exposure to UV light from the sun, the trike wing may be in need
of replacement. This of course varies with how you care for your wing. It’s easy to
test your sailcloth for strength and thus determine your need to replace your trike wing
long before it becomes unsafe. Most pilots who get into the sport also purchase a two-way
radio system, helmets, instruments for an additional $1000. - $1500. altogether.
Good used equipment is often available for half as much
though it will have a shorter life-span. In addition, because the sport is evolving
rapidly, newer ultralight trikes can have significantly better performance and behavior
than older ones.
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9. What do you need to know
when purchasing your first trike?
First, you need to know how to fly. No would-be pilot should purchase an ultralight trike
before learning at least the basics of flying. It is your instructor’s job to help
you select your first ultralight trike. Different trikes have different characteristics;
your instructor will match the trike to your particular interests. Develop a solid
relationship with an instructor you trust before purchasing equipment. "Good
deals" generally end up costing the naive new pilot a great deal of money. Most
instructors rely on referrals and repeat business so they are very determined to help you
make the right decisions. When purchasing equipment, a responsible dealer will always
require some proof of certified rating.
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10. How do you get
started?
The best way to start is with a tandem introductory flight. This gives you a taste of
flying. Once you have seen what it is like then you can sign up for tandem lessons until
you're ready to solo. Then once you solo, you build up time and experience to become a
pilot. The basic techniques of ultralight triking -- takeoff, turning, landing -- are
fairly easy to learn. The length of the course is designed to compensate for weather
constraints and different learning curves. You must be 16 years of age.
The
Starting
Triking video is the perfect introduction and tells you everything about getting
started in triking.
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11. Do you need a license
to fly?
Ultralight Trikes are regulated under the Federal Aviation Regulations Section 103 and
therefore a license is not required to fly an ultralight trike. So, in essence, triking is
a self-regulated sport under the auspices of the Aero Sports Connection (ASC), the
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and the United States Ultralight Association
(USUA).
To keep it self-regulated, pilots and instructors alike
adhere to the policies and guidelines of these organizations. This program consists of a
specific set of flying skills corresponding to a series of pilot proficiency ratings, each
of which carries a set of recommended operating limitations.
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12. What should I look for
when signing up for a lesson?
When selecting a school for triking instruction, first make sure that the instructors are
certified by one of these organizations:
ASC - Aero Sports Connection
EAA - Experimental Aircraft Association
USUA - United States Ultralight Association
Things to look for include:
