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SO
WHAT ARE THESE THINGS ?
In
Australia, they are generally called trikes or microlights. Other
countries use the terms ultralight or ULM (Ultra
Léger Motorisé). Some people refer to
them as "powered
hang-gliders" though this incorrect (a bit like calling a
sports motorcycle a moped). Technically
they are classed as weight-shift
controlled
aeroplanes but, whatever the name, we just think they are loads of fun.
Most
models are 2 seaters (with the passenger or instructor seated behind
the pilot) but there are also single seat models available.
Some
models of trike are capable of speeds as high as 90kts and are designed
for
mega cross country trips with an endurance of 6 hours or more. Such
trikes have done many long distance trips (including several
circumnavigations of the globe).
Other models fly as slow as 40kts and are ideal for
property
or stock inspection as well as the sheer
pleasure
of local flying.
Some trikes are "naked" (the structure of
the trike and the
occupants feet & legs are exposed to the elements others have
a fibreglass streamlining "pod" around the trike. These are
often
fitted
with larger "tundra" wheels to facilitate landing on even rougher
surfaces than
standard trikes
Trikes can also be fitted with
floats or skiis to operate from water or
ice.
Airborne
Redback - naked trike
To continue the theme of
double-entendres, some trikes are "topless" (there is no structure
above the wing to support its weight). As this is intended to improve
performance these would not usually be fitted to "naked" trikes (though
they
can be).
Airborne
XT912 SST - strutted ("topless") wing
A
BRIEF HISTORY LESSON
The origins of the trike can be
traced back to the late 1940's
when an American aeronautical engineer named Francis Rogallo developed
& patented a flexible wing utilising a simple aerofoil which
was
used for model kites which he built & sold.
By the 1950's,
the space race between the USA & USSR was driving
aviation development. Francis was now working for NASA
who were busy
investigating designs for the recovery of capsules from space.
One
candidate was Francis' flexible wing design which was
apparently
tested at heights of up to 200,000ft and speeds of Mach 3.
Ultimately
NASA chose conventional parachutes for recovery from space and
relinquished the patent of what became known as the "Rogallo"
wing. By the 1960's, the design was being used by
various
experimenters around the world for the development of man-carrying
kites which were typically towed by speedboats.
These designs
evolved into the modern hang-glider concept, credit for which
belongs to an Aussie - John Dickenson of Grafton NSW.
By the
1970's, the sport of hang-gliding was becoming established and people
were getting fed up with carrying their wings to the top of hills for
launch (particularly in areas where there were no suitable
hills).
Inevitably various pioneers began experimenting with engines
in
order to self launch from level ground. With no consensus of the best
way to achieve this, the pioneering spirit was not
dissimilar to the first days of powered flight.
Like then,
there were a number of serious accidents which added
to the
already dubious reputation of hang-gliding. The bad reputation built up
in
in these earlier years is largely responsible for the reaction to both
sports which the media & many people still seem to have.
By
the 1980's, the layout of the modern trike had become more or
less established and a number of designs were available as
plans
or kits. The growing popularity of trikes (& 3-axis
ultralights) in many countries resulted in the attention of the
regulators and, consequently, the drafting of legislation to
both
make the aircraft legal and to allow flight training. Australia was
the pioneer in this area in this regard. The new rules
established
minimum standards
for the aircraft which henceforth tended to be produced by a
smaller number of aircraft factories (albeit fairly small
scale
ones).
The
availability of reliable
engines (predominately Rotax) in the
1990's resulted in improved designs some of which can still be seen
flying today. The increased performance of these
models allowed an increasing
number of record breaking flights. The trend for stronger, heavier
aircraft which therefore require more powerful engines but have higher
performance has continued through the decade and into the 21st century.
It might be argued that the current "top-of-the-range"
microlights have lost some of the simplicity of the earliest
models in the quest for greater speed & endurance but
most of
the major manufacturers also still offer "entry level" models which,
whilst much safer & stronger, still provide the simple
enjoyment of
flight which inspired the original concept.
"Aviation in itself is not
inherently dangerous.
But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving
of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect". Captain A. G.
Lamplugh
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