Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 21

Thread: Non-pilot getting started in ultralights

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Duluth, MN
    Posts
    6

    Non-pilot getting started in ultralights

    I've been fighting the urge to write this, hoping that I could "wing it" on my own, but apparently the time has come to man up and ask for help from the masses.

    After weeks of research on the new-to-me subject of part 103 ultralights, I have narrowed my choices down to a Quicksilver Sport or Spirit. I sent an email to Ultralight of Iowa requesting information on said aircraft, but have yet to hear back (hopefully they're staying busy.)

    Really hoping someone here can help me out with a "this is what ya gotta do"... From ordering an aircraft, and getting it home, to finding general flight instructions (no UL flyers that I know of in the area).

    The whole ordeal has become slightly overwhelming (to the point of hardly knowing what questions to ask), and I really don't want that to deter me from my goal of flight.

    Any help you knowledgeable folks could offer up would be greatly appreciated.



    Bryan
    Last edited by arrowheadHD; 03-16-2013 at 05:50 AM.

  2. #2
    Dana's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    927
    Note that nothing Quicksilver makes today is 103 compliant.

    I suggest contacting Mark Smith at Tri-State Kites. He's no longer a Quicksilver dealer but he knows more about them than anybody left at the factory. The quicksilverultralightowners yahoo group is also a good source of information for all things Quicksilver.

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Duluth, MN
    Posts
    6
    Got a bad vibe from that post. Makes me think what little info I have found is all outdated and obsolete...

    May have to look at a different manufacture, if there are any other reputable companies still in business.
    Last edited by arrowheadHD; 03-14-2013 at 07:18 PM.

  4. #4
    Sam Buchanan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    KDCU
    Posts
    567
    Quote Originally Posted by arrowheadHD View Post
    Got a bad vibe from that post. Makes me think what little info I have found is all outdated and obsolete...

    May have to look at a different manufacture, if there are any other reputable companies still in business.
    You might check out Belite:

    http://www.beliteaircraft.com

    This is not an endorsement, just a suggestion for further research.
    Sam Buchanan
    The RV Journal RV-6 build log
    Fokker D.VII semi-replica build log

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    1,609
    The sport is a single surface wing,no alerions.

    The sprint is a double surface wing with alerions. I believe they refer to this as the MXL Sprint. You can buy these used, they are everywhere. Get one with a rotax.

    Try and find someone with a dual seater whom will take you up and show you how to fly it. You might have to spend some hrs with this person to get use to this aircraft. They fly so very easy, even the MXL with alerions.

    As others say you have other options as to Par 103 rule. The legal eagle is a very nice airplane and will cost you half what a Belite will cost. They build these using a 1/2vw power plant. People build this using other power plants but I would stick with the VW, its a better engine then anything else being put on these airplanes. I purchased a Brand new legal Eagle for under 4500 bucks. You could call it used since I purchased from the builder, but it was new with 1 hr on AF and Engine. It was taxied and crow hopped. I fly her for the first time.

    The quickslivers are trikes, the Belite and Legal Eagle are tail draggers. I can not speak for the belite but the Legal eagle is such a docile machine or handles so nice you will be flying the taildragger in no time.

    Good luck with your Par 103 ultralight and remember, stick with either a rotax or go with the VW. Those are your best options for reliable power.

    Fly Smart
    Last edited by 1600vw; 03-15-2013 at 05:00 AM.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Duluth, MN
    Posts
    6
    Quote Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan View Post
    You might check out Belite:

    http://www.beliteaircraft.com

    This is not an endorsement, just a suggestion for further research.
    Funny, it was stumbling across the Belite webite that peaked my interest in 103 craft, and made me realize that there was an affordable method of flying... Unfortunately, as an almost-broke college student, the Belite will remain a pipe dream. A bit too steep for the ol' pocket book.


    While sitting down with my coffee this morning, I found a company called Free Bird Innovations, based here in Minnesota. (http://flyfbi.com) Has anyone heard of, or have any experience with this company? It looks like they have (or had?) a 103 in development that appears to follow the K.I.S.S. philosophy to a T.
    Promising, if not too good to be true. Finding a semi-local company to deal with would definitely alleviate some of the stress involved with this.

  7. #7
    zaitcev's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Posts
    75
    I gave this question some thought and the ouside research is not quite what oldtimers suggest. Of course my tastes are different, too. For example, I do not like Mini-Max, Aerodrome, and such. Also, I do not want to assemble a kit (ok, I know, a strange demand for a member of EAA, but I live in a rental etc. etc.)

    The most important thing to decide is really if you want to buy used or new and how much older do you want to go. In particular, are you ok with flying a 2-axis airplane.

    If you buy "used", you can buy lots of excellent airplanes, especially those registered E-AB. That means Legal Eagle that Mr. 1600 suggested previously. Another great used option is a small Kolb.

    Buying used has other advantages. First, E-ABs often have 4-stroke engines and you can ferry them, within reason. Failing that, trailer them with just wings removed. New ultralights always come in a crate, even "ready to fly" ones. You must have a hangar beforehand to deal with unboxing and assembly.

    If you want to buy new, then about all new ultralghts that fit my tastes cost the same: a shade above $20,000 with inflation. Amazing, isn't it? So, here's my list for those with $22k burning a hole in their pocket and wanting the freedom of an ultralight.

    Belite is the leader, no doubt about it. By adding options you can buy up a really capable machine for $50k, but Jim can sell you a stripper taildragger for $20k+ with a chute. Check his price list carefuly. Of course you get one of those awful 28hp Hirth engines for the price, but hey, it's cheap. Jim is reliable and trustworthy but the lead time is a few months, be ready not to get a buyer's remorse.

    Vally Eng. BYF is an extremely intriguing design that homebuilders hate, hate, hate. I love that thing. Gene is close to retirement, so buy yours now. The big advantage of BYF is that it comes with a 4-stroke engine. Ask them to keep it de-rated and it will serve you as long as 1/2 WV in Legal Eagle. The disadvantage is that you need a long trailer, which is half as expensive as airplane! But the airplane is cheap. It's under $20k with chute.

    Aerolite 103 is kind of like much improved Quick Sprint, but actually it is an independent design that was in production at various factories for a while. Last year U-Fly-It bought full rights. This is about the only problem, since the company is new, we need to know if they do a good job.

    Following the leaders are:

    * Earthstar Gull: that thing is EXPENSIVE and I'm not kidding. It's an ultralight with a real wing that is fully cross-country capable.

    * Challenger: iconic design that outgrew ultralitght roots. Quad City is trying to bring it back to Part 103. I'm pretty sure they had dealer assembly option for that.

    * CGS Hawk Ultra: the company that just won't give up and an excellent ultralight design. They survived the transition away from Denny (not privy to details here though). Like Kolb and Challenger they have a bit of a weight problem that they are addressing.

    * M-Squared Breeze XL

    I also hear periodically about dealer assembly options for Kolb and Qucksilver Sprint, which would be awesome if it pan out, but never get reliable and durable leads.

  8. #8

    Here is the Quick Silver web site: http://quicksilveraircraft.com/

    Quote Originally Posted by arrowheadHD View Post
    I've been fighting the urge to write this, hoping that I could "wing it" on my own, but apparently the time has come to man up and ask for help from the masses.

    After weeks of research on the new-to-me subject of part 103 ultralights, I have narrowed my choices down to a Quicksilver Sport or Spirit. I sent an email to Ultralight of Iowa requesting information on said aircraft, but have yet to hear back (hopefully they're staying busy.)

    Really hoping someone here can help me out with a "this is what ya gotta do"... From ordering an aircraft, and getting it home, to finding general flight instructions (no UL flyers that I know of in the area).

    The whole ordeal has become slightly overwhelming (to the point of hardly knowing what questions to ask), and I really don't want that to deter me from my goal of flight.

    Any help you knowledgeable folks could offer up would be greatly appreciated.



    Bryan
    You said nothing about contacting the Quick Silver dealers. I've provided a link to their site which lists "New Flyer Info, Dealer Locations etc." There is lots of good advice here but coming up with "YOUR" answers for the many excellent questions posed are key. I recently gave up flying my Ultralight after nearly 30 years because I moved so a place where finding a safe place to fly was just too difficult, or to be more specific all the emergency landing areas are filled with alligators (The Everglades). One question I didn't see was about what you want to do in the air and where you may want to go when you do get into the air. Doing much of anything fun in the air or getting anywhere quick is pretty much out of the question with paragliders.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Duluth, MN
    Posts
    6
    I appreciate all the responses, but rather than waste anyone else's time, we could probably let this thread die.

    I've run into a few road blocks, and at this point it would not be practical for me to move forward with any plan of getting off the ground.

    Take care, and fly safe.

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    186
    Quote Originally Posted by arrowheadHD View Post
    I appreciate all the responses, but rather than waste anyone else's time, we could probably let this thread die. I've run into a few road blocks, and at this point it would not be practical for me to move forward with any plan of getting off the ground.

    Take care, and fly safe.
    Arrowhead-
    For the sake of others wanting to get into flying an ultralight, what were the biggest roadblocks that you ran into [other than budget]?

    I suspect the title of your thread will have others coming to it to learn from your experience in their efforts to get off the ground. Knowing what roadblocks they might face will be helpful to them.

    Thanks!

    -Buzz

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •