My trike - and why I got a new one

I talk a little about my old trike, my new trike, and why I made the switch. Includes some of my older footage with my trike's original wing.

[@TheeAthis]

I love the Clipper/Buggy. They also sport a 912 option, and in my opinion is the better trike. I had an opportunity to purchase one, but lacked the funds at the time. By the time I saved up enough money, the 912 clipper had long been sold for a sweet price of 19K, and I ended up purchasing a 100hp 912 Air Creation Tanarg. Both my 582 buggy and 912 Tanarg are featured on my channel, I I can't say enough good things about them.

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

That looks like a really sweet aircraft. Awesome breakdown of the whys and wherefors !! Love the glass instruments too!

[@jamesschmidt5200]

Very sweet. I have a clipper with a QT 6 wing and really digging it's performance. I have since transitioned to a TAG gyro as well. Keep up the good work.

[@bradrose8227]

Great video, thanks for posting. I’m also in Texas, flown ultralights since 1980, and to this day! Became interested in trikes a while back and went for a demo flight with Larry in the Revo down in Florida a few years back. Still may end up with one one of these days? I have a great backyard grass strip in NE Texas, Foggy Bottom 77TE, if you’re ever on a flight that has you headed north and need a place to stop, drop in!

[@ZuluCharlieFlying]

Thanks, may take you up on that some day!

[@TrikeOps]

Nice machine! Congrats!

[@thomaslongfellow4993]

Great info.

[@diggy-d8w]

So is this a hang glider wing setup for those who do not wish to control the aircraft w/ traditional controls or is this what came thru evolution? I kinda like the control bar & was this a Part 103 at one time? I'm a little confused but I like this style of trike.

[@ZuluCharlieFlying]

Trike wings are essentially hang glider wings, just with a carriage suspended under them by a rigid mast instead of a harness suspended by webbing. Both hang gliders and trikes are controlled the same way (weight shift through a triangular control frame). Weight shift has advantages and disadvantages relative to aerodynamic control surfaces, but for many it just comes down to what's more fun to fly. I'm not sure if I follow your question, but I hope an answer is in there somewhere. As for Part 103, the Clipper in this video met the 103 criteria back when 103 allowed two-place ultralights for training purposes. Two-place ultralights were removed from 103 with the introduction of light sport aircraft, and all existing two-place ultralights (including the Clipper) had to be converted to LSAs at that time. Today, most single-seat trikes are 103 ultralights, and all two-place and some single seat trikes (like the REV X) are LSAs.

[@diggy-d8w]

I apologize, I was asking if this wing/motor hookup came thru evolution of hang gliding & Pt103 aircraft? The two seem to have merged very well. I had been looking at Part 103 aircraft & I saw the "Trikes" and was confused somewhat as I've seen Part 103 w/ 3 wheels kinda like a trike? Anyhow, I now see they've highly specialized these for the hang glider control method. To me, it looks like using this control arm is more instinctive than the controls for airplanes. As I've watched some of this it really looks like using the hang glider wing to steer is a blast to experience? Any flight would be great but the way you looked while flying, putting your body into the turns, IDKnow but I liked what I saw. Thanks for trying to answer questions from someone on the outside looking in..... Trikes are more appealing than Part 103 aircraft & some of these "Trikes" must be Part 103 so I can fly w/o a license? I'm hoping. peace

[@ZuluCharlieFlying]

@@diggy-d8w Part 103 applies to ultralights in the US and includes any aircraft under 254 lbs (there are a few other criteria, which you can find here: www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-103.1 ). Said aircraft can be any category - hang gliders, paragliders, airplanes, trikes, balloons, gyros, even helicopters. Hang gliders were to my knowledge the first ultralights, and the first powered ultralights were created by adding engines to hang gliders, eventually evolving into modern trikes. Ultralight airplanes to my knowledge came after trikes, though I'm not especially knowledable about the history of ultralight aviation. The FAA did not create Part 103 until ultralights were already a thing and it was becoming clear they would need some degree of regulation. As long as a trike meets the Part 103 criteria linked above (which, again, includes the vast majority of single-seat trikes), it can be flown without a license.

[@diggy-d8w]

Thank you for all the time/info here.... I'd be thinking about most of what I heard you speaking of. My greatest issue after money is I'm not going to fight to fly w/ medical issues that older folks all deal with at some point. Over 60 I'm in alright shape but a licensed approach isn't on the menu for me at this time. As you said, these aircraft can fit into categories that cross over. That's one of the things hampering my understanding but the PT103 Regs is my guide & I hope to be able to trudge thru this & fly one day. I'm doing the research now so I'll be ready for anything. I'm also hearing you as you think out loud concerning the condition of wings & motors.... I understand motors much better than a wing but now I'm hearing the fabric does go bad over time/conditions as used. That means to buy used I'll need someone to evaluate the aircraft for me. Inspect it all & fly it.... the investment in an expert seems paramount in a smart purchase. Thanks for all your help. peace

[@ZuluCharlieFlying]

@@diggy-d8w Note that while light sport aircraft do require a (sport pilot) license, they do not require a medical certificate as long as you have a valid driver license. Getting the opinion of an expert before purchasing an aircraft is wise - I did it before buying either of the trikes in this video.

[@DougBow96]

Nice new to you trike! How does the handling of the Conquest 12.4 compare to the Quest GT5?

[@ZuluCharlieFlying]

In smooth air, they're very similar, though I think the Conquest has a slightly faster roll rate. The Conquest definitely handles midday turbulence better, though - I feel like it's harder for it to get pushed off course and easier to correct when it does. Not sure if the winglets (which I didn't have on the GT5) play a role there as I've never flown the Conquest without them.

[@Therapy1044]

Did I miss how much you paid?

[@FLYNRYAN1978]

Nice!