Wed May 05, 2021 11:37 am
#1845047
I have had my Robin Aiglon for 40 years and it could probably see me out BUT I am considering the pros and cons of these new plastic wonderplanes (typically 600kg, 150+ kts with Rotax 100hp, retractable, 1000nm range, VP prop, autopilot etc).
All sounds wonderful but I would be grateful to hear from those with practical experience.
I'm used to flying in rough weather in the Robin. Wind and turbulence is very rarely a factor. Is this a problem for the plastic microlights? Wing loading for my Robin 76kg/m2, for a typical fast microlight 62kg/m2, difference larger at lighter weights.
Crosswind is rarely a problem, I can cram the Robin (theoretical limit 22kts) on in most conditions even if I leave some rubber behind sometimes. Are microlights more fussy in this?
I can now land on rough fields, do these fast microlights with small wheels need golfing greens to land on? or does their lightness make it better? Typically they weigh half as much as the Robin.
How easy is it getting dispensation for IFR/night? I know it's theoretically possible .... but can it be done in real life?
I am aware of the paperwork problems going foreign.
In summary I use my aircraft to go places, will a microlight be less capable for this?
All sounds wonderful but I would be grateful to hear from those with practical experience.
I'm used to flying in rough weather in the Robin. Wind and turbulence is very rarely a factor. Is this a problem for the plastic microlights? Wing loading for my Robin 76kg/m2, for a typical fast microlight 62kg/m2, difference larger at lighter weights.
Crosswind is rarely a problem, I can cram the Robin (theoretical limit 22kts) on in most conditions even if I leave some rubber behind sometimes. Are microlights more fussy in this?
I can now land on rough fields, do these fast microlights with small wheels need golfing greens to land on? or does their lightness make it better? Typically they weigh half as much as the Robin.
How easy is it getting dispensation for IFR/night? I know it's theoretically possible .... but can it be done in real life?
I am aware of the paperwork problems going foreign.
In summary I use my aircraft to go places, will a microlight be less capable for this?