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What type?
The majority of microlights come in
two very different types, Weightshift and 3-Axis. The main
difference between them being the controls. A 3-Axis machine
is controlled in the conventional manner, the same as a light
aircraft.
A weightshift machine uses the weight of
the aircraft to manouvere and is a bit more of a 'hands-on'
activity for the pilot. Some would say less pedestrian than
a 3-Axis machine.
Detailed below are the main differences
outlined between Weightshift and 3-Axis. If you are unsure
what type is for you, have a 30-minute lesson in both and
see what you enjoy most.
Whatever type
you learn to fly, the pilot’s license is valid on both
Weightshift and 3-Axis with a short conversion course only
needed to switch between types.
| Weightshift
Weightshift,
also known as a Trike or Flex-wing aircraft, have a
wing based on a hang-glider design. Suspended underneath
is the tricycle undercarriage, seats, engine and cockpit.
An A-Frame control bar is suspended under the wing and
is connected to it with wires and a hang-bracket. The
pilot uses the control bar to pivot the wing around
this hang-bracket.
All weightshift
aircraft are open cockpit with the pilot relying on
the ‘feel’ of the aircraft much more than
on a 3-Axis aircraft. |
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| Generally,
weightshift machines are cheaper than their 3-Axis counterparts
with second hand machines starting at around £2000.
The top end of the price scale for a new weightshift
is about £24,000.
Machines
can be de-rigged and easily transported with the use
of a trailer and can be flown from small fields safely.
Once regarded as low-performance machines, some weightshift
aircraft now have performance characteristics similar
to light aircraft! |
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3-Axis
With
a fixed wing, ailerons and rudder, this type of microlight
is much more like a conventional aircraft and is controlled
in the same manner. Unlike weightshift, 3-Axis machines
have control over all 3 axes of movement. |
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Some
are open cockpit like the weightshift; increasingly
this is the exception rather than the rule with most
having a closed cockpit.
Prices
start at around £5000 for a second-hand machine
with some new machines coming in at around £40,000!
Generally
speaking, performance is better than the weightshift
with cruise speeds approaching 100mph not uncommon.
Short field performance is still excellent with most
models. The majority of machines however, cannot be
de-rigged easily, so hangarage is a must-have.
Many
pilots who have learnt on light aircraft for pleasure
are finding 3-Axis microlights very attractive. Low
maintenance and fuel costs make a microlight an obvious
choice for pilots who regularly hire a light aircraft
for £120 a flying hour. |
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