sinker 0 #1 October 5, 2005 Anyone every flown one or flown in one? Owned one? I've grown very interested in these of late... anyone have experiences to share? -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anvilbrother 0 #2 October 5, 2005 I like the idea of powered parachutes better. If the engine quits, you just land under a 350-400 sqft ram air, if the ultralight quits I see a more painful landing. Postes r made from an iPad or iPhone. Spelling and gramhair mistakes guaranteed move along, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #3 October 5, 2005 very true... but one thing I've seen in ultralights that is more comforting is the advent of BRS, Ballistic Recovery Systems, a frame mounted canister in which a round parachute is packed... upon structural failure (or any other failure needing such intervention), the BRS is deployed and you descend under canopy... kinda cool... -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinfarmer 0 #4 October 5, 2005 I've been on a powered parachute before and it was awesome. If I didn't skydive I'd probably be buying one for myself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #5 October 5, 2005 I just helped a friend build a Quicksilver. One word of advice, buy a built one. Its going to take about 90-100 hours all told to have it assembled. The factory only wanted a bit over 1K to do it and for the hassle and the effort its not worth assembling one.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #6 October 5, 2005 thx for the advice... quicksilvers were what I've been looking at... the two seaters, side by side seating so I can take one of my kids w/ me... definately wanna get one already built... i don't have the patience for that stuff... I followed an on-line build some time ago of a one-seater quicksilver... no thanks man, no thanks. Did you see your friend get his flying? bet that was a great day! -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #7 October 5, 2005 Its not flying yet, the BRS, hot box and instrments need installed yet. Next week it might go once around the pattern. Insurance on a 2 seater is a killer, not to mention you have to be a certified ultralight instructor to fly one. Its not worth it in most cases unless you have $ to burn.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guru312 0 #8 October 5, 2005 Quote Anyone every flown one or flown in one? Owned one? I've grown very interested in these of late... anyone have experiences to share? I've built one. Actually, I've built the same one over and over and...still have changes in the plan book. The UL I built has two engines. Believe it or not, 5.5 HP chainsaw engines. 11 HP total. Not very much power! And have you ever tried to keep a chainsaw running? I've been jumping, ballooning, flying and in general risking my life for most of it and I hope to continue doing so. But...I have to tell you, NOTHING scared the crap out of me more than the first 10-15 hours flying my ultra-light. The reason: under powered, very large wing area, very susceptible to wind currents--both up and down. But FUN!!! I can't wait to get my rebuilding job finished so I can risk my foolish old neck again and again. See this: http://www.aicommand.com/ultrlite.htmGuru312 I am not DB Cooper Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #9 October 5, 2005 more good advice... thanks... didn't know about the insurance thing, but did know about the license... the single seat thing sure is alot cheaper... but hell the kids would hate not being able to go up w/ me... we'll see... hey, let us know when your friend's quicksilver goes up, post pics if you can! that'd be super! -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legwarmers 0 #10 October 5, 2005 My dad owns a kitfox. It's a fun little two seater and the wings being able to fold back is nice because he's able to store it in a custom built trailer and travel with it. We're taking it to the DZ this weekend. Should be some fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #11 October 5, 2005 I've flown in and jumped from a Quicksilver 2 seater. Seemed nice enough, all the way to 3500 feet. Do they have aircraft style controls now, aeleroins on the stick, rudders on the pedals? I think that would be important for skill transferance to big planes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #12 October 5, 2005 yeah, they have the typical three axis control system now, at least modern quicksilvers... -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benforde 0 #13 October 5, 2005 Made a raid at the end of the ***** ***** boogie last spring in ******. Two of us rented weathered rusty ones with their respective weathered pilots, I vividly remember being relieved passing the 1000 foot mark saying to myself "ok, I'm safe, now I can enjoy the ride". It felt like riding a flying bicycle and took forever to get from 2500 to 2800... Sooo long that I gave up and bailed over the water, Tracked along the beach. Deployment altitude was rather low, but not as low as ******, my partner in crime's who really sucked it in. Carved the beach and landed a few feet from a hotel bar... Fun stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ScottyInAus 0 #14 October 5, 2005 I hear bad things about the ultralights... As for Microlights, haven't heard a bad word... My old man loves them Cheers, Jason. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peej 0 #15 October 5, 2005 A dude named Don out at Perris has one of the coolest Ultralights i've ever seen. At least i think his name is Don. It's a single seater that he's put a super powerful engine in. He used to buzz it around the DZ after jumping was over for the day. We'd go stand out on the runway and he 'd buzz over us at head height. Advertisio Rodriguez / Sky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #16 October 5, 2005 Quote I hear bad things about the ultralights... As for Microlights, haven't heard a bad word... My old man loves them What's the difference, definition-wise? I've flown in and jumped - I think! - microlights a couple of times. Fantastic experiences, and the more powerful and agile machines are a lot more exciting than you'd think from watching them from the ground. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sleddog 0 #17 October 5, 2005 I've got a Challenger ll & it's ther perfect airplane, for me! Cruises about 65 mph. Put doors on in the winter, & I can fly year around! Most of my flying is 3-500 ft AGL, sight seeing! With the new sport pilot license, you can fly the 2-place Quick, with some instruction & a valid Drivers license. What ever you do, get some training! Too many fools think because it's an "Ultralight" & you don't "need" a license they can learn themselves. It's still an aircraft. If ya think ya want one.....get it, you'll have a ball with it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #18 October 5, 2005 good advice indeed, thanks! I can't wait to get into one! -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #19 October 5, 2005 Oh, one more expence to figure into your budget as you are looking at one is hanger space. At least around here if you want a T hanger there are none near the city and its a 35-50 minute drive to find an airport with open hanger space. Price the hangers too, it was more expensive then I thought they were by my buddy did the searching ahead of time and was'nt surprised. Plus with the Quicksilver you have the option of putting on different wire sets to change the atherideral angle of the wings later if you want more preformance. From all the time I spent helping if there was one thing I learned was to get professional instruction in the plane you are going to by. Its even better if the instructor can assist in maintence if you have major issues later too. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #20 October 5, 2005 Sinker, Phree has some great advice. I would suggest finding a small airpark that has several of them already flying. There you will usually find the one old guy who likes to buy/sell them. My father had a mx sport, a gt400 and finally a RANS His partner in the Rans was a licensed pilot, so he was using it for "training" I flew it a few times, it was great fun. The gt and the rans both had ballistic chutes on them. Dad landed the gt twice off field with no engine. The are pretty safe. Have fun. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
divegoddess 0 #21 October 5, 2005 Quote I've flown in and jumped from a Quicksilver 2 seater. Seemed nice enough, all the way to 3500 feet. Do they have aircraft style controls now, aeleroins on the stick, rudders on the pedals? I think that would be important for skill transferance to big planes. My boy toy has been looking at the ultra lights, and something called afford a plane. I joked with him that the only way I would let him build one (we have an apartment with no garage) would be so I could jump off it.... but I didn't seriously think you could. How high do those things cruise? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GARYC24 3 #22 October 5, 2005 I have 5 hrs from that Ultralight school in 2002. I liked flying around in them. However, the landings made me nervous, so I kinda fizzled away from them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #23 October 5, 2005 phree... thanks for your input.... it's so appreciated... ya know what I'm thinking is that we're looking at building a house out in the illinois country and some property we're looking at has a big hangar type building already on it... i want to turn one of the fields into a small strip and use it for the ultralight, gotta look into any regs though... -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #24 October 5, 2005 also really good advice... I do like the Rans line... but they are a good be more pricey. They sure look nice though... -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sinker 0 #25 October 5, 2005 i've seen some figures that some ceilings are about 14000, but most i think keep it under 5-10 k... -the artist formerly known as sinker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
