MICROLIGHTS
by Graeme Olsen
Find out why "triking" is
the fasting growing aviation sport in the world.
And the safest.
| Leonardo da Vinci is quoted
as saying "Once you've flown you will
walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,
for there you have been, and there you long
to return." Were da Vinci alive today,
I'm sure his choice of airborne vehicle would
be a Microlight.
Microlight planes have to be one of the
most exilarating and purest types of flying.
Described by many people as like riding
a motorcycle in the sky, Microlight planes
(or "trikes") provide a feeling
of freedom that you don't get with other
types of aircraft.
One of the things that adds to the "freedom"
experience of a Microlight is the fact that
you are housed in a partially enclosed "Pod"
that cruises between 50kmph and 110kmph
and climbs faster than any other type of
Ultralight aircraft. Having less metal and
weight around you adds to the effect.
And yes they are safe. The safety record
of trikes is second to none and in fact
they are currently rated as the safest aircraft
flying in the world today.
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Sitting in the rear seat of the trike,
you're provided with a headset and helmet, and an
Instructor to sit in the front. Your Instructor
also has a headset, which enables you both to communicate
with each other during the flight.
After the pre-flight checks are done,
the engine fires up and you start to taxi out onto
the runway. Once lined up on the runway, the throttle
is gently opened and the aircraft is starts to roll.
Then full throttle is applied, and the thrust from
the motor is incredible. Within no time at all you
are at take off speed, and your Instructor gently
pushes forward on the control bar and the Trike
becomes airborne. The runway drops away below at
an unbelievable rate. The feeling is amazing and
like nothing you have experienced before. This is
triking.
Once you have climbed to your required
altitude you level out and the engine revs drop
back to a quiet murmur. At this point you can really
sit back and take in the view. The great thing about
Microlights is that you get a much less obstructed
view of the landscape all around. And at a nice
steady pace too.
Next time you're in Bunbury, check
out SouthWest Microlights. They have a web site
at www.southwestmicrolights.com which contains
plenty of information on how to get involved in
flying trikes. Enquiries can be directed to Brendan
at skysport@gateway.net.au.
March 2002
