Ask The Expert Blog
About The Blog
This blog provides up to date information on new developments and the most popular subjects for pilots learning to flying trike weight-shift control (WSC) light sport aircraft (LSA). See the blog topics at the left.
We also actively seek and respond to feedback on areas of interest at beatrikepilot.com to answer your questions, educate or entertain you, explore the nature of pilot development, and much more on becoming a sport pilot and flying sport trike weight-shift control light-sport aircraft. The comments on this blog are moderated, which means that before any comments or questions are posted, they are reviewed by me.
You may leave a comment or question below. If you have a comment or question about one of the topics I’ve written about, you may leave it at the bottom of the particular topic post.
Look forward to your comments!
Paul Hamilton
Comment Posting Guidelines
This blog is intended to be a place to answer your questions, educate or entertain you, explore the nature of pilot development, and much more on becoming a sport pilot and flying sport trike weight-shift control (WSC) light-sport aircraft (LSA).
This blog is not intended to be a direct line of communication with Paul Hamilton on things not related to beatrikepilot.com. This is a heads up that all comments will be moderated and won’t be posted if they don’t meet the following guidelines.
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How to Make A Comment on Our Blog
Below every post is a Comments or No Comment link. Click on that Link, then at the bottom of the page, below “Leave A Reply”, enter your comment and data, then click the Submit Comment button and you’re done!
May 31st, 2010 at 12:08 am
I am on a drivers license suspension in Nebraska and really want to get my license to fly a Trike and purchase one. Can I do this if my drivers license is suspended?
June 20th, 2010 at 10:46 am
The most important item was not mentioned ; ? How much does it cost as per unit of craft,instruction,etc? {what about any if, profiteering middle men ? General Aviation used to be affordable untill the costly profiteering men ruined the fun in flying ! Will light sport flying go the same way?
September 26th, 2010 at 9:09 am
Dear Paul, I am based in India and making a trike with Rotax 582 mod 99 engine with pusher propeller. I have the engine removed from a Buckeye Dream Machine PPC. This engine has a single piece radiator and I want to know how to mount this radiator on the trike. Will it be ok to install the radiator below the engine? Will the cooling be effective.If not, then please suggest a solution to mount the radiator above the engine. Pictures of a single piece radiator mounted on top will be of great help. Thanks very much.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:22 am
What is required to add a WSC rating to an existing sport pilot certificate for ASEL aircraft?
Thanks!
Ben
February 8th, 2011 at 7:20 am
Ben,
You have to be trained by one CFI and take a proficiency check with another CFI per 61.321. No hours requirement and no knowledge test.
February 8th, 2011 at 7:22 am
Ypu can mount the radiator above or below but you should be following the ROTAX installation guide at rotax-aircraft-engines.com for a proper installation.
February 8th, 2011 at 7:24 am
Aviation is not cheap but LSA makes it more affordable. Boats and racecars are the same way.
February 8th, 2011 at 7:25 am
No you need to clar your medical which is not easy. I suggest AOPA for help with this.
February 11th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Hi Paul, I just got my SP-CFI and I’m rated in WSCL and WSCS. I’m also a GA pilot with a PP, rated ASEL and ASES. Here’s my question: At the SP level can I teach ASEL and ASES? I got my ASES from a GA CFI in a J-3 Cub on floats and have logged many hours in a J-3 Cub on wheels.
May 29th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Dear Paul, I am looking to buy a wing for a light sport trike, but every wing I look at has around 150-200 Hook-In Weight wich is less then the weight of the trike. Can I use a wing with that Hook-In Weight for a 100lb trike + around 250lbs for the pilot, passeger, and safty equipment?
July 14th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Hello again!
On the Learn to fly a Trike page, it is stated that Trikes have Automatic rudders. Can you please try to explain this better to someone who has no schooling with regards to such things?
Also please the bit about crosswind and how trikes are good to go with regards to that?
Thank You Much,
Jeff
July 28th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Paul,
I became a sport pilot(ASEL) and went on to get my private pilot(ASEL). I am in the process of getting a WSC endorsement to take a proficiency check with another CFI. My current CFI is not a private pilot. What additional training would I need in order to get a WSC private pilot rating?
November 9th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Jeff,
The automatic rudder means that no rudder is neded for a trike because it always flies directly into the wind on its own.
For cross winds the trike simply flies in with a crab angle with no rudder correction needed.
November 9th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Hook in weight is typically used for hang gliders that are built to carry only people, not people and the added weight of the trike. You need to find a wing that has the hook in weight of the person and the trike and this will be stronger than the typical hang glider wing.
November 9th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Doug,
No you need to add your CFI rating for airplanes before you can teach in them