Ultralights
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MAHT-O-MEDI
Originally Posted by JoeyBalls,Mar 15 2010, 10:15 PM
^ Rotax are solid engines
I was looking at taking an ultralight flight off the Napali coast in an ultralight that advertised Rotax powered aircraft with BRS chutes. I told him about it and he said "Yeah, they have deployed the chutes a few times." He was aware when a company deploys the chutes because they have to be sent back to him to be repacked and get new rockets.
So no matter how solid the engine is, get a chute.
Former Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Ventura, California, USA
Originally Posted by zzziippyyy,Mar 16 2010, 09:31 AM
^ prob just like anything else within the same risk factors. But hey you can live on the couch or you can live seat of the pants, i prefer the latter 
100% a chute is a must!
Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
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In the family we have a Kolb Firestar MkII with a 503 with electric start and a BRS that technically makes it a bit overweight for the part 103 regulations but the same plane with the 447 sans starter is easy-ish enough to build to legal weight.
I've been a licensed pilot for 20 years now with various ratings and endorsements.
I know people who have in fact taught themselves to fly in ultralights. They are actually not as stupid in person as you might think, but they are a danger to themselves and others. Planes are about process, from the pre-flight to the pattern and understanding that altitude is life. The guys without formal licenses tend to negate all of these rules. Approaches are made at random and make the general vicinity dangerous for everyone, these guys also tend to enjoy flying along at 50 feet which makes me shudder for a number of reasons, not least of which being the two stroke Rotax powering most of the planes involved.
Bang for buck there is no cheaper way to get into the air. Auto gas and a low burn rate plus wings that fold for storage. So long as you don't plan on going anywhere and understand that you have almost no penetration off the throttle things are quite fun.
If you are looking for something a bit safer and easier a powered parachute might be the way to go. I would love to have one of the backpack setups in the trunk of my car.
I've been a licensed pilot for 20 years now with various ratings and endorsements.
I know people who have in fact taught themselves to fly in ultralights. They are actually not as stupid in person as you might think, but they are a danger to themselves and others. Planes are about process, from the pre-flight to the pattern and understanding that altitude is life. The guys without formal licenses tend to negate all of these rules. Approaches are made at random and make the general vicinity dangerous for everyone, these guys also tend to enjoy flying along at 50 feet which makes me shudder for a number of reasons, not least of which being the two stroke Rotax powering most of the planes involved.
Bang for buck there is no cheaper way to get into the air. Auto gas and a low burn rate plus wings that fold for storage. So long as you don't plan on going anywhere and understand that you have almost no penetration off the throttle things are quite fun.
If you are looking for something a bit safer and easier a powered parachute might be the way to go. I would love to have one of the backpack setups in the trunk of my car.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 78,840
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From: On yo puter screen
Originally Posted by steviec,Mar 16 2010, 01:20 PM
If you are looking for something a bit safer and easier a powered parachute might be the way to go. I would love to have one of the backpack setups in the trunk of my car.
