Originally Posted by
AnglianAV8R
The Ax is a great little aeroplane for pottering around in, even touring if you're not in a hurry. However, getting in and out of them is an art form. I'd hate to try clambering out after an unscheduled 'arrival' on terra firma if the frame were bent. In comparison, the Rans S6 has an extremely robust steel cockpit cage and I can vouch for it, having suffered an 'arrival' in one. Spares for the Rans are no problem either.
When Bill Sherlock, the original importer, took me for my first flight in the prototype AX3 (F59EE - French reg) he pointed out in the pre-takeoff brief that the structure was made out of triangles of tubing and hence very robust.
I took to it straight away; he did the first takeoff then I flew the circuit, I landed it and we taxied back and did another circuit with me doing the takeoff this time too.
My initial trepidation about microlights vanished and I was hooked!