Flexwing or Three Axis?
ENTREPPRUNEUR
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Flexwing or Three Axis?
I went along to the local microlight club and was rather surprised that the guy there was giving me strong advice against flexwing vs three axis. He'd apparently had a long history with flexwing but now seemed to have seen the light. They have both types at this club.
His objections to flexwings include:
- they are hard work in anything but smooth air
- they can't easily be manipulated on the ground in windy conditions
- they can't be left outside because they'll get blown over
My desire to try flexwing stems from wanting cheap flying. If three-axis is just as cheap then is there still a case for flexwings?
His objections to flexwings include:
- they are hard work in anything but smooth air
- they can't easily be manipulated on the ground in windy conditions
- they can't be left outside because they'll get blown over
My desire to try flexwing stems from wanting cheap flying. If three-axis is just as cheap then is there still a case for flexwings?
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Flex or three
If it's a microlight, it doesn't matter whether it's a flex wing or a three axis, if it's windy both can suffer the same fate.
Microlighters tend to keep a good eye on the limits, ours are considerably lower than the general GA limits. However experience can increase the "window" and microlighters can be found out in all sorts.
Depends what you want. Flex is great fun, but then so is three axis.
Personal choice at to what makes you smile, but I wouldn't say that one is cheaper, or safer.
However you can't beat looking straight over the side of your hull in a flex!
Microlighters tend to keep a good eye on the limits, ours are considerably lower than the general GA limits. However experience can increase the "window" and microlighters can be found out in all sorts.
Depends what you want. Flex is great fun, but then so is three axis.
Personal choice at to what makes you smile, but I wouldn't say that one is cheaper, or safer.
However you can't beat looking straight over the side of your hull in a flex!
The problem I see with flying both types is the fact that control inputs are reversed. People say 'you get used to it' but in an emergency situation eg EFATO instincts take over; it's already killed several experienced people including instructors. eg Long Marston about
'91-ish; experienced 3-axis instructor in a flex wing; engine failed on climbout; he pushed forward instead of pulling back and it stalled in and killed both of them.
'91-ish; experienced 3-axis instructor in a flex wing; engine failed on climbout; he pushed forward instead of pulling back and it stalled in and killed both of them.
Was the guy an instructor? talk to somebody else you may get the opposite view, each to there own,
I have owned a flexwing for around 3 years now its an older 2 stroke 2nd generation type and I love it but it can be frustrating at times,
The up to date ones are a different kettle of fish, but yes they can be a handful on the ground if its windy, my limit to rig up is around 12mph, and taxi 20mph but I am newish to the sport,
Have a trail flight in one and a chat with the instructor,
The school that is based at the field where I fly has both flex/fixed.
http://www.wlms.co.uk/
Nick.
I have owned a flexwing for around 3 years now its an older 2 stroke 2nd generation type and I love it but it can be frustrating at times,
The up to date ones are a different kettle of fish, but yes they can be a handful on the ground if its windy, my limit to rig up is around 12mph, and taxi 20mph but I am newish to the sport,
Have a trail flight in one and a chat with the instructor,
The school that is based at the field where I fly has both flex/fixed.
http://www.wlms.co.uk/
Nick.
Oh Shazbat!
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Flex or Three...
I must confess that the flex boys do seem to have more fun. Also the young ladies seem to think the flex wing boys are more daring.
When it comes to learning, I started lessons at the same time as another club member, me on 3-axis and him on flex. Weather impacted us both, as Watnochute says, but I ended up at double the number of hours flying even though he had more free time than I did. In autumn last year he switched to 3-axis to get the time in.
If you can get someone warm, sunny & with pretty low winds then I'd say flex-wing, but here in the UK with the weather then 3-axis first will give you a faster start.
When it comes to learning, I started lessons at the same time as another club member, me on 3-axis and him on flex. Weather impacted us both, as Watnochute says, but I ended up at double the number of hours flying even though he had more free time than I did. In autumn last year he switched to 3-axis to get the time in.
If you can get someone warm, sunny & with pretty low winds then I'd say flex-wing, but here in the UK with the weather then 3-axis first will give you a faster start.
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I did 2 hours in a flex wing last year and I can't imagine bringing that up to 3 this year. It was fun but everything seeming the wrong way round, as mentioned by chevron, can be a genuine headache. If you look at http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...ight=flex+wing , though, the advice at Srl 15 is very good. It still doesn't guard against possible disaster on the ground. The nosewheel steering is via, effectively, foot operated handle bars; push right sends you left and left sends you right. Personally I'm not sure that 30 odd years of instinctively pushing the other way won't click in should life suddenly get interesting. Visualise a sudden veer left towards a fence and having to fight the natural reflex to push the right foot.
I must confess to the possibility of old dog, new tricks.
I must confess to the possibility of old dog, new tricks.
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At the end of your day, it is what gives you a lift!
You can't park many light aircraft outside - ie Piper Cub, Tiger Moth, Condor - because they are wood and fabric.
You can park weightshifts outside, you just have to pop the wing off. But usually, while you can buy an airworthy weightshift for 1500, if you have a 10k to 25k aircraft, you want it parked inside.
Motorbikes have different controls from cars - you even turn the opposite way with the handlebars! - and people don't have too much trouble.
I could go on, many have already.
It is horses for courses - and ironically, the first two microlights to be flown around the world were weightshifts!
XA
You can't park many light aircraft outside - ie Piper Cub, Tiger Moth, Condor - because they are wood and fabric.
You can park weightshifts outside, you just have to pop the wing off. But usually, while you can buy an airworthy weightshift for 1500, if you have a 10k to 25k aircraft, you want it parked inside.
Motorbikes have different controls from cars - you even turn the opposite way with the handlebars! - and people don't have too much trouble.
I could go on, many have already.
It is horses for courses - and ironically, the first two microlights to be flown around the world were weightshifts!
XA
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There are cheap fixed wing microlights - the Thruster & MW series for instance. But although they would be easier to fly in bumpy conditions the Thruster, in particular, being a brake-less tail dragger would be no better off than a flexwing on the ground. The main advantage of flexwings is the ability to quickly remove the wing, and with a bit more time fully de-rig it. This can greatly reduce hangarage requirements. Many folk trailer them home and store in the garage.
If you're located near Sussex or Hampshire there are here at least a couple of e-mail microlight flying groups whose membership has both 3 axis & flex flyers. We do meet informally monthly at pubs & folk don't compete, each finds fun and economy.
Try & find similar e-mail groups if you can and though as an oldie I fly a Rans S4 single seat 'plane which is amazingly useable, the flex flyers tell me their's are as exciting as motorcycling with full hands on control.
Try flex for the reasons others have given as it's said not to be so difficult to convert later on. A Rans may cost say £3k but then you do need 29ft wide hangarage which isn't always readily found.
Mike.
Try & find similar e-mail groups if you can and though as an oldie I fly a Rans S4 single seat 'plane which is amazingly useable, the flex flyers tell me their's are as exciting as motorcycling with full hands on control.
Try flex for the reasons others have given as it's said not to be so difficult to convert later on. A Rans may cost say £3k but then you do need 29ft wide hangarage which isn't always readily found.
Mike.
Last edited by mikehallam; 28th Jan 2008 at 22:48.
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wot they say about control reversal.
flexwings are brilliant fun, but having got used to SEPs now, the control reversal just terrifies me. I'd like a three-axis with the power-to-weight and physical exposure of a flexwing, please!
flexwings are brilliant fun, but having got used to SEPs now, the control reversal just terrifies me. I'd like a three-axis with the power-to-weight and physical exposure of a flexwing, please!
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I would say do a trial lesson (or two) in each type and go with what you feel happiest flying.
I started out on flexwing, but went over to 3 axis (and had to put up with some lighthearted abuse from the flexwing pilots for flying a 'girlie plane').
The way I considered it was that at our airfield, the 3 axis planes weren't as popular, so I was more likely to be able to get a lesson or two in when I wanted, and due to their better tolerence of weather conditions I could go and fly when the flexwings were grounded. The other reason is that as the controls are similar to GA, it would be an easier transition to flying something bigger when time and money allowed.
In the meantime, if I fancied a bit of open air, I could just ask a flexwing flying friend to take me for a bimble!
I started out on flexwing, but went over to 3 axis (and had to put up with some lighthearted abuse from the flexwing pilots for flying a 'girlie plane').
The way I considered it was that at our airfield, the 3 axis planes weren't as popular, so I was more likely to be able to get a lesson or two in when I wanted, and due to their better tolerence of weather conditions I could go and fly when the flexwings were grounded. The other reason is that as the controls are similar to GA, it would be an easier transition to flying something bigger when time and money allowed.
In the meantime, if I fancied a bit of open air, I could just ask a flexwing flying friend to take me for a bimble!
