Open Site - Recreation: Aviation: Aircraft: Flex Wing: Ultralight Trike

Top: Recreation: Aviation: Aircraft: Flex Wing: Ultralight Trike

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Description

An ultralight trike is a three wheeled vehicle with an engine mounted behind the pilot. Generally speaking, an ultralight trike is a motorized hang glider. The wing of the trike is the same as a heavy-duty hang glider wing and is constructed of rip-stop nylon or mylar over an aluminum frame. Engines are generally two or four strokes with 20 to 75 Horsepower.

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Control

Control of the trike is obtained by the weight shift of the pilot. By shifting weight forward and backwards, the pilot is capable of changing the nose pitch of the glider. The change in pitch causes the glider to either climb or dive. Turns are accompished in a similiar matter except the weight is shifted to either the left or the right.

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Operating Parameters

Trikes are capable of staying aloft for more than 3 hours and reaching altitude of 15,000 feet (4500 meters) or more. Cruise speeds range from 35 to 65 mph with maximum speed of up to 80 mph. Stall speeds range from 25 to 30 mph. Most ultralights are capable of landing and coming to a stop within 200 feet after touchdown.