Introduction to Ultralight Airplanes

How To Fly Easier With Flex Wing Ultralight Aircrafts (Ultralight Trikes)

When I first learned about the microlight airplanes, I was very excited. The idea to buy my own aircraft for less than $10,000 was really very tempting. But then I started thinking about the related expenses - hangar, airport taxes, support of the plane, license costs... And the things were not so great anymore.

Sometimes (and especially when we talk about ultralight aviation) the cost and troubles of buying the aircraft itself is nothing compared to the related expenses. That's it, the airplane is not a car, you can just drive it on the streets or keep it in your garage. Or at least this is valid about the fixed wing ultralights.




The Flex Wings...


The flex wing microlights and ultralights came on the scene in 1970s as a solution to many of these troubles. If you choose to own a flex wing microlight instead of ordinary ultralight airplane, you won't have to think about many or all of the following troubles:

  • Hangar

  • Airport taxes

  • Runway

  • Licensing


And most often you'll get even the aircraft itself for cheaper.

Flex Wings Aircraft
Photo from http://www.start-flying.com


So what is a Flex Wing Aircraft? (Also known as Ultralight Trike)


Most flex wings consist of a delta bar, similar to the hang gliders, an engine and a place for one or two pilots. Usually there is no cabin and during the fly the pilots are able to feel the air.

Easy to guess by the name, the wing of the trikes is flexible to some extent and often can be taken off. Because of it's form, the entire aircraft dimensions are smaller than these of a fixed wing. This means if you have a large garage, you can hangar the trike there.

The ultralight trikes can get off the ground from the automobile road and can land almost everywhere - so you save another huge expense and trouble, because you don't need an airport and runway.

The engines of the ultralight trikes are generally four or two strokes with 25 to 75 Horsepower. The speed is traditionally lower than with the fixed wings - 30-60mph cruise speed is something normal.

Control of Ultralight Trikes


If you have not yet flown on a fixed wing aircraft, controlling your flex wing airplane will be easy. The trikes have two axes

If you liked this article subscribe to our Free Newsletter