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Newsletter- January 2018

Look out for the excellent review of the Minifox in this month’s Microlight Flying magazine (free to BMAA members) by David Bremner. Dave Unwin has also carried out a flight test for Pilot magazine, which should be available in newsagents very soon. Both reviewers were very impressed with the handling and quality of the Minifox and were left with big silly grins after flying it!

There should be magazine reviews of the Snake flexwing in the next issues of Microlight Flying, Skywings (the BHPA magazine) and an upcoming issue of Cross-Country magazine. Again, the reviewers had a great time and have written very positive reports.

If the above video fails to load simply click here.

These flight tests were carried out with the 2017 version of the Grif 3DC wing. There are a couple of minor design tweaks and a planned higher MTOW test set for the 2018 wings, so I have another demonstrator (in fetching green & black colour scheme) due for delivery in the spring. Our current white demonstrator with “Trofeo” branding (the wing was flown in last years European championships) will then be available for sale at a good discount. Please contact me if you’d like more details.

The 3DC is a double-surface kingposted wing, capable of being rigged flat or on the A-frame in approximately 6-8 minutes. Compared with our other popular wing option, the Aeros Fox13T, the 3DC gives a slightly lighter more sporty feel, as well as significantly more glide performance. Both wings fly hands-off in the 30-35mph speed range, although Grif wings feature a ground-adjustable hang-point that can be adjusted in minutes if a higher trim speed is desired.

A range of dacron colours are available with the undersurface cut in one or two panels. Other options include PX20 trilaminate leading edge (non-porous and wipe-clean), wingtip fairings and LED strobes, and vortex generators (which help delay the onset of the stall and are strongly recommended for sub-70 operation). Powder-coating the A-frame and kingpost is also possible (the aluminium is anodised as standard) to create your perfect colour scheme.

With a 6-8 week lead time for Aeros wings (a little less for Grif wings) now is the time to place an order if you want a full season of thermal fun!

Kind Regards,
Dave Broom.

Newsletter- November 2017

Last week we carried out the first ever UK flight of a Snake nanolight trike as a flight test to confirm the suitability of the Aeros Fox13T wing.

I’m pleased (and I have to admit a little surprised!) to report that the geometry of the Fox13T was an absolutely perfect match for the Snake. I’ve flown plenty of single-make flexwings that have spent months in testing and failed to achieve so good a result.

The very gentle mush stall is achieved precisely as the bar touches the front strut, leaving plenty of rearward bar movement for high speed flight. All the controls are light, but stable, and I was able to reverse a 30° bank in a touch under 1.5 seconds. I was flying without instruments, but I would estimate a stall speed in the region of 20mph and hands-off cruise somewhere closer to 30mph.

The single-surface design promises a low sink rate and Flylight (the UK Aeros importers) claim a glide ratio approaching 10:1, although that figure drops significantly when flown at higher airspeeds. This would make the Fox the ideal choice where short-field operation is a priority.

Despite being a kingposted wing the Fox13T retains the ability to be folded whilst on the trike, although I suspect most pilots will simply detach the wing for derigging. This remains a very simple process taking seconds to achieve as (unlike some nanolights) the basebar of the wing comfortably clears the nosewheel, allowing the bar to sit flat on the ground.

The Fox13T retails at €3600 with a £150 shipping charge (both +VAT). It’s available in a full range of Dacron colours, or with the optional ODL6 Technora covering (as shown in the pictures) as a €430 option. The wing weighs only 25.5kg, allowing the greatest flexibility of engine options or fuel capacity for sub-70kg operation. Lead time is generally 6-8 weeks.

The flight test was carried out using the Cisco C-Max 175 engine, which provides more than ample power. Cisco claim 27Hp, and with a 5-10knot headwind I’d estimate the total ground roll for takeoff was in the region of 25 metres.

I’ve conducted flight tests with both a Helix carbon-fibre propeller and a wooden prop provided by Cisco. Early tests indicate the wooden prop appears to produce slightly more thrust and a nicer sound, although the carbon prop should prove more hard-wearing. Prices for the Cisco wooden prop will be on the website following confirmation, but promise to be even lower than the Helix.

Even without removing the prop the folded Snake still comfortably took less than half the boot of my car.

I also have some news for those hungry for more information on the Minifox fixed-wing microlight. Pilot magazine have recently carried out a flight test of the aircraft; look out for the review in an upcoming issue!

Our demonstrator Minifox and Snake aircraft remain available; please call me if you’d like to arrange an appointment.

Kind Regards,
Dave Broom.–
Phone: +44(0)7773 253454
Web: www.airplayaircraft.co.uk