Talk:Ultralight trike

Popularity

From article: "Only since the late 1990's have these aircraft become popular in the United States, mainly as a result of the relaxing of the FAA regulations regarding ultralight aircraft." I don't think that this is correct. What rules changes occured in the 1990s? These size craft have never, I think, been regulated - and, in fact, were invented in the U.S. in the 1970s. Rmhermen 17:48, 19 May 2006 (UTC)

A search of the Federal Aviation Regulations does not show any rules changes in the 1990s affecting ultralights. Rmhermen 18:10, 19 May 2006 (UTC)

Ultralights are regulated per Federal Aviation Regulations Part 103. It should be noted that an ultralight can only have one person. It has alway been this way in the regulastion. The change for the ultralights in the 90's was the FAA granted an ultralight training exemption where a two place ultralight called an "ultralight trainer" could be used for training ultralight pilots. This ultralight training exemption ended in january 31, 2007 when all ultralight trainers, two place, were transitioned to Light sport aircraft. There is no two place "ultralight trike" today.This is clearly defined in the FAA definition of Light-sport aircraft and ultralight vehicles Part 103. SportpilotCFI (talk) 17:27, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

Earliest American Trikes

"...in fact, were invented in the U.S. in the 1970s. Rmhermen"

Hello, I am very interested in the history of hang gliders, precursor of the trike, and I just expanded the trike History section. I traced the first trike back to 1967 by Barry Hill Palmer (see its references for fotos), who never developed it any further. Then there is this huge gap of time until the late 70's in Europe, when R. Magallon introduced and marketed his trike. I am very interested on having more information of the trike you mentioned was developed in the USA in the 70s. Thank you. BatteryIncluded 23:21, 24 July 2007 (UTC)

There is some additional history in the new FAA "Weight-shift control Flying handbook" 8083-5 for this period. I will do my best to incorporate into this section. SportpilotCFI (talk) 17:27, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

Lavezzari glider

Removed the content below from the Lavezzari image caption and pasted it here. The information is interesting, but long and is best explained in the main text and in the context of Rogallo's research. In all material studied, Rogallo never quoted or mentioned the Lavezzari glider; It would be interesting to find out if F. Rogallo knew of Lazezzari or seen this image when designing his flexible wing. "Francis's Rogallo's patented wing closed the drag-producing performance lowering big central air-gap between the two sails, and also showed that boned and non-boned versions of the true-double-lobed wing could be made a viable wing type for many types of aircraft."

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—The preceding unsigned comment was added by BatteryIncluded (talk • contribs) 17:11, August 23, 2007 (UTC).

Rogallo wing?

Is the Rogallo wing really used for such trikes? As far as I know, hang gliders haven't used this design for a while now. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.106.41.177 (talk) 17:25, 18 April 2009 (UTC)

I believe Rogallo wing is the generic name and mostly it points to its conception; since they have battens and leading edges, I would call them "flexible wing." BatteryIncluded (talk) 21:04, 18 April 2009 (UTC)

Yes the rogallo wing was the origional design without battons. It has since evolved into a "flex wing" which is a better term to use for modern day trike wings. SportpilotCFI (talk) 17:27, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

Weight-Shift Control (two place Trike) page needed

An ultralight trike is a single place vehicle defined by FAR Part 103.

The two place "ultralight trainer" trike same as airplanes and powered parachutes was transitioned into a Light sport aircraft in September 2004. This is clearly defined in FAR Part 1 Definitions Light-sport aircraft.

I think we should add a new catagory "Weight-Shift Control Trikes" or change this catagory to "Trikes - Weight-Shift Control and Ultralights" or simply Trikes same as Powered Parachutes.

Weight-Shift Control is the new name for two place trikes also defined in FAR Part 1 definitions.

I am open as to how this is accomplished in Wikipedia, but I do feel this would greatly increase the accuracy of the information.

In the Wikipedia "Light-Sport Aircraft" it does reference "Weight-Shift Control" but no page is available.

I will be happy to edit and reorganize this information. The FAA regulations, the new FAA "Weight-Shift Contrl Flying Handbook" FAA-H-8083-5 and the new FAA "Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge" FAA-H-8083-25A will be the main references.

SportpilotCFI (talk) 17:50, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

are ultralight trikes Delta Wings or Flying Wings?

I notice this article is a member of the category:Delta-wing_aircraft category. But the ElectraFlyer (a model of Ultralight trike) is categorised as a member of category:Flying_wing_aircraft. We should standardise the articles. Are all ultralight trikes Delta wings, Flying wings, or something else entirely? Roidroid (talk) 03:41, 21 December 2010 (UTC)

Rogallo Wings?

Do most trikes still use those? Rogallo wings require a constant air stream, and going into a climb stall causes the airflow to leave.I was under the impression that most now use flex wings to improve safety. Can someone smarter than me yay or nay this?