Trike Flying: Enjoying Nature From Bird's View
Have you ever tried trike flying before? If not, well, here's your guide in knowing the basics of trike flying. Learn about what trike is all about and how to maneuver this seemingly odd-looking flying machine that resembles the form of a paper plane.
Trike flying is actually a sport that refers to the use of a wind-carried air craft. The trike or the air craft is also called weight shift micro light or flex wing trike which is classified as a form of hang glider. For the newbies, hang gliders refer to air crafts typified by large framed wings made of aluminum. Trikes are also made of the same Rogallo wing design used in most hang gliders although the presence of 3-wheel under carriage makes the air craft unique.
Trike flying is actually controlled using a weight shift approach. It works very much the same as hang gliding where the pilot is hanging from the structure attached to the wing. The control is being made on a triangle-shaped highly durable aluminum bar. By turning, pulling and pushing the trike bar, the trike will also respond in terms of speed and altitude. The natural force behind trike flying is actually the combination of wind power and gravitational force. The trike bar controls the center of gravity of the air craft. Thus pushing the trike bar will result in transferring the center of gravity to the tail, causing the aircraft to tilt upwards and fly slowly.
Trike flying is very much popular in the United States and other parts in Europe where the weather and climate allow. Because of the trike's low fuel cost, pilots are not only the ones who are interested in the sports. Adventurers and individuals have loved trike flying as a recreation. In fact there have been expeditions that were made using trikes. Trikes are light weight, easy to install, and have take off and landing capability on shorter distances making it a perfect air craft for crossing tundras, oceans and deserts.
Two of the most popular expedition trikes are the Aerotrike Spirit 912 and the DTA Voyaguer 912. Aerotrike Spirit 912 can fly at a speed of 125 kph and has already crossed South Africa from Cape to Cape. The DTA Voyaguer 912, which evolved from being a crop sprayer, can speed at 105 kph.
Manufacturers of trike flying are spread around the globe, so if you are interested in being a part of this recreational sport check out the trike makers in South Africa, India, Australia, Europe and the United States. The best part about trike flying, just like any other hang gliders, is that you will be able to appreciate the beauty of nature from a bird's eye view.
