What Microlight?
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Rod 1 summed it up pretty well.
I fly the C42 100hp microlight. I like it, I like it a lot, enough that I fly 200+ hours a year, over Europe and the UK regularly, I am based in Ireland.
I find it a very capable touring aircraft. Regarding the engine issue, you will hear the snide remarks as stated earlier, just ignorance on the part of the poster and you can disregard this type of crap, they will grow up and learn yet !
This type of topic comes up all the time, which one is better?
They are all good, they do the job slightly differently, a few questions:
Do you want a high wing or low wing, high wing are easier to hangar in a congested environment and less likely to suffer hangar rash.
The C42 has astounding short field ability, can operate easily from 200 metres of grass and still offers a pretty good cruise of 80 knots plus.
Is an all metal aircraft important, then the Eurostar it is.
If speed is important then some of the faster composite stuff is the job, remember you have given yourself a wide budget mark, The C42/Eurostar league is 35K plus up to 80K for the upper end, it may be prudent to decide your budget first.
I have owned Rans/C42's/Eurostars and have flew quite a lot of others, I still choose the C42 on the criteria I judge it by, but that is very much my criteria hence my choice.
Rod's idea is good, talk to owners/pilots, get a trip in as many as possible, but bear in mind that each owner will probably give you a biased view of the type they fly. The jabiru aircraft is also fine, it is roomier than it looks and has a good speed envelope, but one of my judging criteria was that it had to be a Rotax 912 engine, from experiences gained by being an aircraft inspector and check pilot. I have seen numerous 912's with over 2000 hours on them, they are superb. There is a reason why those type of aircraft is holding the superb s/h value, it is simply operating/owning costs, and the ability to operate from short strips, couple this to the fact that they leave the older spam sans in their wake and there is simply no contest, just look and see how much old stuff is in the classifieds at dirt money.
By the way, I have a couple of C42's on my books should you be interested
I fly the C42 100hp microlight. I like it, I like it a lot, enough that I fly 200+ hours a year, over Europe and the UK regularly, I am based in Ireland.
I find it a very capable touring aircraft. Regarding the engine issue, you will hear the snide remarks as stated earlier, just ignorance on the part of the poster and you can disregard this type of crap, they will grow up and learn yet !
This type of topic comes up all the time, which one is better?
They are all good, they do the job slightly differently, a few questions:
Do you want a high wing or low wing, high wing are easier to hangar in a congested environment and less likely to suffer hangar rash.
The C42 has astounding short field ability, can operate easily from 200 metres of grass and still offers a pretty good cruise of 80 knots plus.
Is an all metal aircraft important, then the Eurostar it is.
If speed is important then some of the faster composite stuff is the job, remember you have given yourself a wide budget mark, The C42/Eurostar league is 35K plus up to 80K for the upper end, it may be prudent to decide your budget first.
I have owned Rans/C42's/Eurostars and have flew quite a lot of others, I still choose the C42 on the criteria I judge it by, but that is very much my criteria hence my choice.
Rod's idea is good, talk to owners/pilots, get a trip in as many as possible, but bear in mind that each owner will probably give you a biased view of the type they fly. The jabiru aircraft is also fine, it is roomier than it looks and has a good speed envelope, but one of my judging criteria was that it had to be a Rotax 912 engine, from experiences gained by being an aircraft inspector and check pilot. I have seen numerous 912's with over 2000 hours on them, they are superb. There is a reason why those type of aircraft is holding the superb s/h value, it is simply operating/owning costs, and the ability to operate from short strips, couple this to the fact that they leave the older spam sans in their wake and there is simply no contest, just look and see how much old stuff is in the classifieds at dirt money.
By the way, I have a couple of C42's on my books should you be interested
Non of the following are Micros (in the UK);
Champ, Cub, Jodel, Luscombe, Emeraude, Pioneer – 300, Sportcruiser
Champ, Cub, Jodel, Luscombe, Emeraude, Pioneer – 300, Sportcruiser
In NZ it's 544 Kg ( 1200 lbs) - unless amphibian when it goes up to 600 Kg. but V.P. and retractable u/c permitted, but no night flying or flight over towns ( might restrict you a bit in the UK !! )
In the USA I believe the limit is 1300 lbs but only fixed gear, and they call them Light Sports Aircraft.
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In most of Europe it is 450kg.
In the UK there is also a maximum empty weight, defined as 450kg minus two 86kg pilots, minus 1 hour's fuel at MCP. For a Rotax 912 powered aircraft this usually means 268kg.
In the UK there is also a maximum empty weight, defined as 450kg minus two 86kg pilots, minus 1 hour's fuel at MCP. For a Rotax 912 powered aircraft this usually means 268kg.
Join Date: Jan 2005
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There's no such thing as a perfect aircraft, an aircraft with superb short field performance is normally a bit slower in the cruise because of the hight lift wings, etc. They are ALL nice, and have both excellent, and not so excellent features. It's all about budget. If you have 10K in your pocket you are not going to get a 747.
My personal favourite microlight is an MCR-01.
Would I prefer to have it instead of my Jabiru? Answer = YES. But my 200H Jabiru is worth about 25K and a similar S/H MCR-01 would set me back over £50K, and If I had a spare £50K for an aircraft I would buy a J430 instead. So it's just not going to happen!
BTW, the SL does look nice Pato, and yes katana I would change my jab for one, but only if someone gave me the extra £30,000 difference in cost. But then I'd sell it and buy a J430 like this......
My personal favourite microlight is an MCR-01.
Would I prefer to have it instead of my Jabiru? Answer = YES. But my 200H Jabiru is worth about 25K and a similar S/H MCR-01 would set me back over £50K, and If I had a spare £50K for an aircraft I would buy a J430 instead. So it's just not going to happen!
BTW, the SL does look nice Pato, and yes katana I would change my jab for one, but only if someone gave me the extra £30,000 difference in cost. But then I'd sell it and buy a J430 like this......
Last edited by Rans Flyer; 20th May 2009 at 09:28.
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Chaps
Many thanks for all the input, very useful indeed, quite alot to think about, but heh a nice position to be in.
I'm going to give the Eurostar and Dynamic a go first as looks and performance are pretty important to me and both seem to score highly.
I'll come back at some point and let you know how I get on but in the meantime, thanks again.
CdJ.
Many thanks for all the input, very useful indeed, quite alot to think about, but heh a nice position to be in.
I'm going to give the Eurostar and Dynamic a go first as looks and performance are pretty important to me and both seem to score highly.
I'll come back at some point and let you know how I get on but in the meantime, thanks again.
CdJ.
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I would be very happy to swap rides. I have flown most of the aircraft in this thread, but my experience with the Jab was with a vary early mk1 which is probably not very representative of the current fleet.
Rod1
Rod1
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Well there has been a few changes over the early ones.
Mine has the long fuselage, full height rudder and winglets.
Dave Almay is hosting a Jabiru & Rans fly-in at Fenland this weekend.
I'm not sure what day I going yet (I'll need to check the weather), but if your around...... ;-)
Mine has the long fuselage, full height rudder and winglets.
Dave Almay is hosting a Jabiru & Rans fly-in at Fenland this weekend.
I'm not sure what day I going yet (I'll need to check the weather), but if your around...... ;-)
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Go for a total change!!
Convert to Flexwing and save yourself a fat load of money.New flexwings cruise 100mph with the wind in your hair for half the price of the 3 axis machines you mentioned.
Just about the best fun you can have with your clothes on.
Convert to Flexwing and save yourself a fat load of money.New flexwings cruise 100mph with the wind in your hair for half the price of the 3 axis machines you mentioned.
Just about the best fun you can have with your clothes on.
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dstevens
Can you give your impressions of the Dynamic? What model?
Pros and cons so far.
How long have you had it, and Pros and Cons/likes and dislikes so far. Any problems.
Real world performance.
Looks to be a very impresive aircraft on paper.
John
Can you give your impressions of the Dynamic? What model?
Pros and cons so far.
How long have you had it, and Pros and Cons/likes and dislikes so far. Any problems.
Real world performance.
Looks to be a very impresive aircraft on paper.
John
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Chef
I was in a similar situation, I learnt to fly in a EV97 Eurostar, nice machine
then I decided to try every machine I could, all have good & not so good points, a lot depends of which you trained in
I eventually brought a Dynamic, similar to fly to the EV97, although faster more comfortable, more room etc,
I would suggest you try as many as you can, make a short list, then, pay for an hours lesson in each, not with the seller,
if you'd like any futher info, feel free to pm me, with telephone number,
I was in a similar situation, I learnt to fly in a EV97 Eurostar, nice machine
then I decided to try every machine I could, all have good & not so good points, a lot depends of which you trained in
I eventually brought a Dynamic, similar to fly to the EV97, although faster more comfortable, more room etc,
I would suggest you try as many as you can, make a short list, then, pay for an hours lesson in each, not with the seller,
if you'd like any futher info, feel free to pm me, with telephone number,
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wt9
Dynamic WT9 great machine, very few vice's, except the price
with the Euro exchange rate even worse, I notice your in Australia
I think, they are available via the NZ importer,
unlike the UK you can have retractable landing gear / extra fuel tanks
etc, I am very pleased with mine.
with the Euro exchange rate even worse, I notice your in Australia
I think, they are available via the NZ importer,
unlike the UK you can have retractable landing gear / extra fuel tanks
etc, I am very pleased with mine.
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I like my CTSW...
YouTube - G-CETH Touch and Go, Limetree Co. Laois, Ireland
very roomy, not everyone likes the looks, but the view out is unsurpassed
YouTube - G-CETH Touch and Go, Limetree Co. Laois, Ireland
very roomy, not everyone likes the looks, but the view out is unsurpassed
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I currently fly both the C42 and Eurostar out of Popham. Both very good planes. The C42 is in some ways more refined, e.g. electric trim, a handbrake (the Eurostar doesn't have one!).
The Eurostar has it's flaws, the lack of a parking brake, the trim is a little 'blunt' and not well positioned but you forgive it all of that as it is the better of the 2 to fly. Lighter in aileron and feels more sporty. Probably slightly more challenging to fly than the C42, it can float down the runway. The perspex canopy is great for vis but it can get a tad warm in there on a hot day.
The Eurostar has it's flaws, the lack of a parking brake, the trim is a little 'blunt' and not well positioned but you forgive it all of that as it is the better of the 2 to fly. Lighter in aileron and feels more sporty. Probably slightly more challenging to fly than the C42, it can float down the runway. The perspex canopy is great for vis but it can get a tad warm in there on a hot day.
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WT9 Dynamic
I can confirm the other two comments about the Dynamic....absolutely fantastic to fly, top class build quality and finish, almost viceless. Real world cruise for me is 100 to 115kts, more economical at 90 if duration is the target, slightly less forgiving in the landing than the EV97 if you are too fast, but easy to sort out. I owned a factory build Eurostar for 2 years before the Dynamic, and would not swap back for any money.
Bear in mind the UK derivative is slighly different than the rest of world version, due to 450kg MTOW...so no extra bits like winglets and retracts.
And buying in the UK is quite painful.
Bear in mind the UK derivative is slighly different than the rest of world version, due to 450kg MTOW...so no extra bits like winglets and retracts.
And buying in the UK is quite painful.